A stunning display of political opportunism has conservatives fuming as Democrats attempt to rewrite their stance on a landmark policy. Their sudden shift raises eyebrows, exposing a deeper struggle for relevance in a heated electoral landscape.

Summary

• Democrats claim credit for Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” despite opposing it.
• Bill includes tax cuts, border security, and Medicaid work requirements.
• Hakeem Jeffries led marathon speech against the bill’s passage.
• Republicans slam Democrats’ hypocrisy as 2026 midterms loom.
• Polls show public opposition to bill, fueling Democratic strategy.

Democrats’ Convenient Change of Heart

Democrats are now attempting to claim credit for President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” a $3.3 trillion package passed in July 2025, despite unanimously voting against it in Congress. As reported by the Daily Wire, Last week, Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) announced in a joint statement that they helped secure $625 million for security at the 2026 World Cup. They emphasized their teamwork to ensure safety in the 11 U.S. cities hosting the event, especially in Kansas City, which covers parts of both their districts. 

“After joining with representatives from across the country to push for federal investments that will ensure a safe and orderly event, I’m very happy that we were able to secure $625 million to support security efforts in the 11 host cities, including Kansas City,” said Cleaver.

However, they didn’t mention that the funding came via President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill. The legislation, which includes permanent 2017 tax cuts, no taxes on tips or overtime, and enhanced border security, was a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term agenda. Every House Democrat, including Cleaver and Davids, voted agaisnt the bill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) led an eight-hour filibuster-style speech to delay the vote, calling the bill an “attack on Americans’ financial freedom.” 

A Bill Packed with Conservative Wins

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, delivers key Republican priorities: extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, eliminating taxes on Social Security and car loan interest for American-made vehicles, and allocating $350 billion for defense and mass deportation initiatives. It also introduces Medicaid work requirements, which conservatives argue promote self-reliance. 

“The bill simply asks able-bodied adults without young children to work or volunteer 20 hours per week,” wrote Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in a fact-sheet titled “Fiction v. Fact: Exposing Democrats’ Lies About the One Big Beautiful Bill.” Despite these provisions, Democrats have focused on the bill’s Medicaid adjustments, claiming they could lead to 17 million people losing health coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

GOP Calls Out Political Gamesmanship

Republicans are seizing on Democrats’ about-face as evidence of political desperation ahead of the 2026 midterms. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) declared, “House Republicans will be relentless in making this vote the defining issue of 2026,” emphasizing that no Democrat supported the bill in either chamber. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Fox News, “Democrats can’t have it both ways—they voted against tax relief and border security, and voters will remember.” 

Social media has amplified the outrage, with X user @SpudisRobert posting, “Leftists at heart are opportunistic and shallow. They voted in lockstep against it.” Another user, @russb1028, added, “Today’s Democrat leadership have no moral compass or conscience,” reflecting conservative sentiment that Democrats are trying to “pull the wool over voters’ eyes.”

Democrats’ Risky Strategy

Democrats’ attempt to claim credit stems from their belief that the bill’s unpopularity—59% of voters opposed it in a Fox News poll—gives them an edge. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) told the Boston Globe, “This bill is an attack on Americans’ financial freedom and Democrats are going to make it a centerpiece of the midterms.” 

“This is pure hypocrisy,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” blasting Democrats for flipping their narrative to woo voters.

Yet, their pivot to touting the bill’s benefits risks backfiring. “They’re trying to have their cake and eat it too,” said Fox News analyst Laura Ingraham, noting that nearly half of Americans were unaware of the bill’s Medicaid changes, per a Priorities USA poll. This ignorance, Democrats hope, allows them to spin the narrative, but conservatives argue it exposes their lack of principle.

A Defining Moment for 2026

As the midterm elections approach, the “Big, Beautiful Bill” is shaping up as a battleground issue. Republicans, buoyed by Trump’s endorsement, plan to highlight the bill’s tax relief and security measures, while Democrats bet on voter backlash over Medicaid cuts. “Voters will see through the Democrats’ lies when they feel the benefits in their wallets,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) on “Fox & Friends.” With the GOP holding a slim House majority, the fight over the bill’s legacy could determine control of Congress, making Democrats’ flip-flop a risky gamble that conservatives are eager to exploit.