Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Spencer Platt
Topics: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Lucy Devine
Topics: Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Politics, US News
People are convinced former president Barack Obama's 4th July message was meant as a scathing attack on Donald Trump.
The comments came after Trump signed off his 'big, beautiful bill' on Friday which was passed in Congress on Thursday (July 3) after representatives approved it with a 218-214 vote.
The almost 1,000-page budget revamp is set to add some $3.4 trillion to the country's national debt (which currently stands at $36.2 trillion) over the next decade.
Among other things, it's set to deliver tax breaks Trump promised when he was running for president in 2024, while also cutting health and food safety programmes.
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You can read about everything that's in the bill here.
Ahead of the vote, Obama urged Americans to call their representatives and ask them to vote against the mega bill.
“More than 16 million Americans are at risk of losing their health care because Republicans in Congress are rushing to pass a bill that would cut federal funding for Medicaid and weaken the Affordable Care Act,” he said last week.
“If the House passes this bill, it will increase costs and hurt working class families for generations to come.
"Call your representative today and tell them to vote no on this bill.”
Writing on social media after the bill was approved - and on July 4 - Obama said: "Independence Day is a reminder that America is not the project of any one person.
"The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We The People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes We Can.’ America is owned by no one. It belongs to all citizens.
"And at this moment in history—when core democratic principles seem to be continuously under attack, when too many people around the world have become cynical and disengaged—now is precisely the time to ask ourselves tough questions about how we can build our democracies and make them work in meaningful and practical ways for ordinary people."
People were convinced that the message subtly referenced Trump, while others thanked Obama for the words of encouragement.
"I’m trying my best to enjoy this day, but I can’t help to think about the millions and millions of people who will lose their helpful resources since this Bill had been passed. I like that line…'America is owned by no one.' 'It belongs to all citizens.' Amen, sir," one wrote.
While another added: "Thank you. Keep them coming your words of encouragement bc I’ve never felt such despair as I do now."