
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
…which progressed with him signing the chest of a teenage girl.
President Donald Trump celebrated the passing of his megabill at a campaign-style rally in Iowa on Thursday. The event, called “Salute To America,” was held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds ahead of America’s 250th independence anniversary.
According to Politico, Trump appeared at the rally wearing a ruby-colored USA hat and tie, matching his supporters who were dressed in red. He praised the passage of the bill, which extends tax cuts and reduces funding for social safety programs, calling it America’s perfect birthday present.
During his speech, Trump mentioned having another hat with the words “Donald Trump was right about everything” written on it. He joked that he didn’t wear it because it seemed too conceited, but added that it was true anyway.
Trump’s growing influence over Republican Congress members leads to mega-bill success
The president’s victory came after an intense week of lobbying. Trump reportedly spent about 20 hours on Wednesday making phone calls to Republican members who were unsure about the bill, demonstrating the commanding political presence that has some Americans concerned because of its Medicaid cuts and its effect on the national debt.
A senior official from the administration said Trump didn’t threaten to challenge Congress members in primary elections. However, the official noted that Republican members understand Trump’s political power and want it to work in their favor. The president has already supported some members for reelection and plans to endorse more in the future.
Before going to Iowa, Trump spoke to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. He claimed his political power has grown since his first term, citing his successful track record and saying he expects to do even better this time.
Trump also talked about new plans for migrant farm workers. He suggested that farmers could vouch for workers without legal status, hinting that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would not enforce actions against them. He acknowledged that some of his supporters on the far right might not fully agree with this plan.
The president praised Republicans for uniting behind the mega bill while strongly criticizing Democrats. He said Democrats only voted against the bill because they hate him, adding that he hates them too and believes they hate the country. Trump also complained about media coverage, saying reporters don’t understand when he’s being sarcastic.
The passage of the mega bill marks what many consider the most successful week of Trump’s second term, showing his strong influence over the Republican Party in Congress, continuing the political transformation that many see as part of his broader agenda.
Published: Jul 5, 2025 04:15 am