Trump Deepens Political Rift While Pushing Budget Bill: 'We Don't Want to Benefit Democrat Governors'

President Donald Trump discussed his "one big, beautiful bill" on Tuesday during a visit to Capitol Hill, emphasizing that the proposed budget plan should prioritize Republican-led states over those governed by Democrats.

"We're going to make a couple of tweaks," Trump told reporters. "I mean, we don't want to benefit Democrat governors, although I would do that if it made it better, but they don't know what they're doing."

The president specifically criticized leaders of blue states, naming California Governor Gavin Newsom—whom he derisively referred to as "Gavin 'Newscum'"—as well as the governors of New York and Illinois. "We want to benefit Republicans," Trump said. "They are the ones that are going to make America great again. The Democrats are destroying our country."

While Trump emphasized that the budget bill would not actively "do any damage to a state," his remarks signal a stark partisan approach to federal funding. The comments are likely to intensify political tensions on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers are negotiating a sweeping reconciliation bill that could determine federal spending priorities for years.

Trump praised the efforts of House Speaker Mike Johnson in the bill's progress and framed the legislation as part of his broader effort to undo what he calls the "damage" of the previous administration's policies, particularly on immigration and public safety.

With GOP majority control of the House and Senate, Trump's unapologetic partisanship is unlikely to interfere with the budget reconciliation bill, but could make 2026 midterm elections all the more contentious.