Democrats Gear Up to Leverage Trump’s Tax-and-Spend Bill for 2026 Midterms
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s recent tax-and-spend megabill, Democrats are sharpening their political tools, convinced they have a potent weapon to wield in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms. The challenge now lies in how effectively they can brandish this cudgel as they aim to reclaim control of the House.
Swiftly pivoting into action, ad-makers are preparing a barrage of attack ads set to roll out right after the holiday weekend, targeting key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. House Democrats are strategizing to use the August recess as a launching pad for their midterm campaigns, engaging constituents through town halls and grassroots organizing initiatives.
Moreover, Democrats are eyeing an expansion of their electoral battlefield, planning forays into traditionally Republican strongholds. The bill, which passed last Thursday, has sparked increased interest from potential candidates in areas deep within Trump’s territory, according to the House Majority PAC. In a tactical move, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is actively recruiting candidates to challenge Republican incumbents in at least six districts that Trump won by substantial margins, including Reps. Ann Wagner of Missouri, Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida, Andy Ogles of Tennessee, Kevin Kiley of California, Nick LaLota of New York, and Jeff Crank of Colorado.
“There’s almost nothing about this bill that I’m going to have a hard time explaining to my district,” noted Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who represents a district that Trump won by 9 points. “This is a massive tax giveaway to the wealthy. Everyone knows it.”
Democrats’ newfound confidence emerges after a period of political obscurity, having faced significant losses in the prior year. Their optimism, however, is not solely rooted in the ramifications of the megabill. In a series of moves leading up to Thursday’s vote, they note two significant Republican retirements: North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who criticized the bill for its substantial Medicaid cuts before opting against reelection, and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who represents a district that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and also announced he would not seek reelection. These developments have opened two crucial midterm battlegrounds overnight.
In recent days, Democrats have exhibited a greater alignment in their messaging, a stark contrast to the disarray they faced during Trump’s second term. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ record-setting speech on the House floor resonated with the campaign launch themes of several Democratic candidates, all of whom highlighted the Medicaid cuts.
Yet, there remains a pressing need for effective communication. Polls indicate that a significant portion of Americans are still unaware of the megabill and its staggering $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. Acknowledging this gap, Democrats understand that they must broaden their House battlefield to pave a path back to power.
“No Democrat is going to nationally define this bill in six weeks, so we need to create a sustained narrative. This requires having 70 to 75 campaigns to localize the attack across the country,” explained a DCCC insider who requested anonymity to discuss internal strategies. “Currently, we’re falling short; realistically, there are perhaps 24 to 30 districts with viable campaigns in motion.”
Democratic candidates are already seizing the moment: Tina Shah, a physician challenging Rep. Tom Kean (R-N.J.), has criticized Republicans for “gutting Medicaid,” while Matt Maasdam, a former Navy SEAL running against Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), lamented that “the price of healthcare is going to rise … all to line the pockets of billionaires.”
Some Democratic strategists are urging a more aggressive approach to capitalize on this momentum. “We need to invest in early, paid communications that go beyond traditional cable buys and token digital ads in swing districts,” asserted Ian Russell, a Democratic consultant who previously served as the DCCC’s political director. “Democrats must be willing to take risks now, mobilize early, and allocate funds they might not have, as voter opinions tend to solidify over time.”
Reflecting on the party’s struggles in 2024, where they failed to resonate with voters concerned about the economy, Democrats recognize the need for a unified and compelling narrative. Trump successfully portrayed himself as the candidate focused on cost reduction, while Harris’ campaign floundered with a disjointed message that failed to connect with voters on pressing issues.
On the Republican side, the plan is to emphasize the bill’s tax cuts—particularly those targeting tips and overtime—as well as increased funding for border security. To mitigate the impact of Medicaid cuts, they are framing these changes as necessary reforms aimed at tightening work requirements and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, which generally enjoy public support.
“This vote has solidified House Democrats’ reputation as elitist and out of touch with the everyday struggles of Americans,” stated NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella. “House Republicans will relentlessly make this vote the defining issue of 2026, showcasing that we stood with the people while House Democrats sold them out.”
However, public sentiment towards the bill is far from favorable, with most Americans disapproving of it, according to various polls, some indicating a two-to-one margin against it. Surveys from organizations such as Quinnipiac University, The Washington Post, and Pew Research reflect this trend.
Meanwhile, Democratic groups, including Priorities USA and Navigator Research, have released data indicating that many voters remain largely uninformed about the megabill, with nearly half of Americans claiming they had not heard anything about it. Alarmingly, only 8 percent of those who were aware of the bill recognized that it included Medicaid cuts.
“We have a significant amount of work ahead as a party to effectively communicate the impacts of this bill to voters who are tuning out political discourse,” remarked Danielle Butterfield, executive director of Priorities USA. She urged Democrats to “move beyond the statistics” and focus on storytelling to convey their message. “We need to personalize this issue as soon as possible,” she emphasized.
Among those set to personify this narrative is Nathan Sage, a first-time candidate and Iraq War veteran challenging Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst. Sage, who has experienced food insecurity himself, has noted that Iowans are beginning to feel misled by the Republican agenda. “Until they start hearing how this actually impacts them, that’s when the outrage will emerge,” he stated.
In a state that has shifted from a perennial battleground to a solid Republican stronghold, Sage and Democratic pollster Brian Stryker argue that the megabill presents a conduit for reconnecting with disillusioned voters. “The Medicaid cuts give us a substantive issue that resonates with working-class individuals,” Stryker noted. In the last election cycle, 49 percent of Medicaid recipients voted for Trump, while 47 percent supported Harris.
“I hope this opens the eyes of the working class and helps them realize that they are not a priority for these politicians,” Sage concluded. “The only way to change our situation is to elect representatives who genuinely fight for us—who are one of us.”
Andrew Howard contributed reporting.
