Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill
The president targeted Paul on Truth Social just minutes after the GOP senator discussed his opposition in a morning appearance on Fox Business
WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump is lashing out at Republican Sen. Rand Paul, saying he "votes no on everything" as the Kentucky senator continues opposing his tax and domestic policy bill that Trump and GOP leaders are trying to push through the Senate this month.
Trump targeted Paul in back-to-back June 3 posts on Truth Social, just minutes after Paul discussed his opposition in a morning appearance on Fox Business by arguing the president's so-called "big, beautiful bill" will increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
"Rand Paul has very little understanding of the BBB, especially the tremendous GROWTH that is coming," Trump wrote. "He loves voting 'NO' on everything, he thinks it’s good politics, but it’s not. The BBB is a big WINNER!!!"
Five minutes later, Trump added in a second post: "Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can’t stand him. This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!"
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill, which looks to cement the president's domestic agenda, would add $3.8 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years.
Trump has said he wants Congress to approve the legislation and get it to his desk by July 4 after the House voted for the bill along party lines last month.
Republican leaders are trying to pass the Senate bill through a filibuster-proof budget process known as reconciliation. It would extend Trump's 2017 tax cuts, implement new tax breaks for tipped wages and overtime, overhaul Medicaid and food stamps and put more money toward Trump's immigrant deportation plan.
Paul, in the Fox Business interview, pointed to spending proposals for $175 billion on border enforcement and a $150 billion increase for the military. He said it would offset the cuts the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency made in the group's push to cut the government.
"Something doesn't really add up here," Paul said. "And I can't be on record as being one who supports increasing the debt by $5 trillion. I think that's irresponsible."
Trump warned Paul in a May 31 Truth Social post that he would be "playing right into the hands of the Democrats" if he votes against the bill.
Paul, who has also criticized Trump's aggressive use of tariffs, said on CBS' Face the Nation on June 1 that he recently spoke to Trump. "I had a very good conversation with the president this week about tariffs. He did most of the talking, and we don't agree exactly on the outcome."
Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning Trump can lose no more than three Republican senators to pass the bill if no Democrats cross the aisle to support the legislation.
In addition to Republicans like Paul worried about the deficit, Trump must also ease concerns over potential changes to Medicaid voiced by Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Josh Hawley of Missouri. The bill would cut $625 billion from the low-income health care program while pushing an estimated 7.6 million Americans off coverage, in part by implementing new work requirements for able-bodied adults without children.
Other senators such as Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; John Curtis, R-Utah; and Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, are worried about the package rolling back renewable energy tax credits implemented under Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act that their states' businesses have benefited from.
Contributing: Riley Beggin
Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.