A majority of Americans believe the new Republican tax and spending law heavily favors the wealthy and could hurt lower‑income and middle‑class households.
At a Glance
- Around two‑thirds of U.S. adults say the law will primarily benefit the rich.
- Nearly 60 percent expect it will harm low‑income individuals, while about half think it will hurt middle‑class families.
- Only about 29 percent of Americans support the legislation, with 49 percent opposed.
- Even among Republicans, nearly half believe the rich are the main beneficiaries.
- Projections show the bill could cut Medicaid and SNAP funding by billions while expanding tax breaks that largely aid high earners.
A recent AP‑NORC poll of 1,437 adults from July 10–14 found that roughly two‑thirds of respondents view the new legislation as helping wealthy individuals, with 60 percent saying it will likely hurt low‑income Americans and about 50 percent predicting harm to the middle class. Approval is low: just 29 percent support the legislation overall, while 49 percent oppose it and 21 percent remain undecided. Alarmingly, discontent crosses party lines: nearly half of Republicans themselves acknowledge that the wealthy gain the most.
Watch an analysis: A “Big, Beautiful” Tax Bill for America’s Ultrawealthy
Dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the package enacts sweeping tax cuts and temporary deductions, but also slashes Medicaid and SNAP, trims low-income benefits, and adds trillions to the federal debt. Estimates suggest as many as 10–12 million people could lose health care, while the national debt may grow by $3 – 4 trillion over the next decade. During Senate floor debate, critics warned that the legislation amounts to a massive upward transfer of wealth from poorer and middle-income households to the ultra-rich—a pattern seen in prior tax reforms dating back to 2017.
The law’s unpopularity is already shaping 2026 campaign strategy: Democrats are targeting Medicaid cuts and skewed tax benefits as core messaging in key districts, calling the law a burden on working families. Republican leaders counter that tax relief, including new deductions for tips and overtime and support for border enforcement, will spur long-term economic gains.
Is Voter Backlash Ahead?
With public skepticism running high—especially around budget deficits and inequality—many analysts view the bill as a flashpoint for intensified voter backlash in the midterms.
With large majorities concerned the law rewards the wealthy at the expense of struggling families, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” may well become a lightning rod in the political and economic landscape as 2026 approaches.