The self-constructed mythology of Donald Trump as a brilliant negotiator and his ability to accomplish genuine and long-lasting change will be put to the test this week by two obstacles, one domestic and one foreign.
The president is adding stress on the already fragile Republican majority in the House by demanding that they put aside their differences and approve the “big, beautiful bill” that includes his most important domestic policies. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has ignored Trump’s proposal despite the administration’s deference, will be the focus of a phone conversation with Trump on Monday, marking a turning point in his so far fruitless endeavor to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Changing the legislation will have a longer-lasting impact than Trump’s flurry of executive orders, making the budget bill his greatest opportunity to reshape the nation—at least by traditional and constitutional means. Tax cuts, his mass deportation agenda, and a defense budget increase in the tens of billions of dollars are all on his agenda.
The GOP majority is predicated on moderate Republicans, but their support is dwindling due to fiscal conservatives’ demands for severe cutbacks to food stamps and Medicaid. Consequently, the conflict runs parallel to the divisions within Trump’s coalition and may necessitate a stronger involvement from the president later this week.
The level of Trump’s commitment to the Ukraine effort may soon be revealed to the world.
There’s also a lot riding on a peace plan in Ukraine that has made a lot of promises but hasn’t delivered anything thus far.
The new US government has mostly focused on pressuring the war victim, Ukraine, while orchestrating the process to reward the aggressor; even Trump has pondered whether Putin is dragging him into a peace endeavor.
Trump said there would be no progress until he met face-to-face with Putin, the Russian leader responsible for an unlawful invasion three years ago, following Putin’s rejection of a planned summit in Turkey last week, to which Trump had all but ordered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree.
On Monday, there will be a planned call that will test Trump’s credibility and sincerity in the discussions with Ukraine, as well as his willingness to put even little pressure on Russia.
Recently, there have been indications that the White House is becoming increasingly irritated.
The Ukrainian leader met with Vice President JD Vance in Rome over the weekend, just days after Vance warned Russia is “asking for too much.” Vance had previously reprimanded Zelensky in the Oval Office in February.
If Moscow remains unmoved, Trump’s confidence in his ability to sway Putin, a quality he shares with other presidents, may come to light.
Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week,” Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff stated, “If he can’t do it, then nobody can.” This, however, is an uncertain assumption: Regardless of the brutal assaults on innocent Ukrainian citizens, the president has repeatedly pardoned Putin for his stubbornness and endorsed Putin’s dedication to peace. Even after meeting with Putin, Witkoff has occasionally come out reiterating Russia’s stance.
Given the current state of affairs in the negotiations, it could be worth considering Trump’s assertion that he can make a difference. The idea of openly opposing the US president is something Putin may be hesitant to do. Russia may have less choices if Trump materialized his threats of more penalties. To further alter Putin’s calculations, he may propose more supplies of weaponry to Kyiv.
But it’s implausible to think that Putin, for whom the battle can be existential, will suddenly give in to Trump’s charisma. There would still be a protracted process where Russia would keep fighting, even if Trump and Russia reached an agreement for the official presidential summit he has long desired.
Tensions are rising among House Republicans
In an effort to permanently cement significant policy shifts, Trump has introduced a massive and aesthetically pleasing measure.
It contains budget cuts totaling at least $1.5 trillion to fund the extension and expansion of his first-term tax cuts, as well as to pay for campaign pledges like increasing the standard deduction and exempting gratuities and overtime pay. The measure would fund the purchase of a space-based anti-missile shield called the “Golden Dome” and initiate a shipbuilding program in the midst of a growing competition with China. Budgeted at billions of dollars, the system that regulates air traffic would receive much-needed updates. On top of that, the bill supports Trump’s strict immigration policy by funding border patrol and prisons.
Although the plan is expected to pass the House this week, its large price tag will make its chances of passing much more uncertain and will shape the political atmosphere leading up to the 2026 midterm elections.
Medicaid and federal food assistance are subject to additional restrictions and budget cuts. Even if most people do end up with a tax cut, they may have already lost out due to price hikes brought on by Trump’s trade battles, according to some experts.
Along with Trump’s, Johnson’s reputation is at stake.
Emotional clashes in committee ensued following months of exhausting discussions, and the legislation’s consequences are putting a strain on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s slim majority.
After a stressful weekend of talks, Johnson found a way to satisfy hardliners and got the measure passed by the House Budget Committee on Sunday night. Prior to a vote in the entire House, the legislation needs to clear several critical hurdles this week. It may become more difficult to pass the Senate if the House takes any action to make it easier to pass. Democrats also claim that Trump betrayed his promises to working Americans by making Medicaid more stringent. It is possible that qualified Medicaid participants may lose coverage due to the paperwork procedure they are required to undergo in order to verify job requirements.
Reforms aimed at appeasing conservatives may infuriate moderates, whose seats are up for grabs and who also seek changes to preserve a ceiling on deductions for state and local taxes.
The president has generally been content to put his faith in Johnson to carry out his policies. Nonetheless, he has a very ambitious goal of having a large law signed before the July 4 holiday, so he is likely to increase pressure on party loyalists from both sides.
We do not require ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ within the Republican Party; the president’s tolerance is short. Just get things done! He made that demand last week on Truth Social. Republican lawmakers, who are answerable to their constituents who support MAGA at home, are able to rely on Trump’s grip on the GOP base. Additionally, he shown his readiness to launch pressure campaigns by pro-Trump media figures throughout the confirmation process of contentious Cabinet choices.