Behind the promises of tax relief and prosperity, the BBB hides policies that hit working families hardest.

“The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”
Attributed to Charles Baudelaire and famously used in The Usual Suspects, this line reminds us that the most dangerous deceptions are those hidden in plain sight. This is the case with the 2025 “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB), touted as a boon for American families. A closer inspection, however, paints a very different picture—one where short-lived tax breaks and headline-grabbing promises conceal long-term harms for everyday Americans.

The Devil’s Trick: What’s Really in the “Big Beautiful Bill”?

Signed into law in July 2025, the BBB is a sweeping legislative package of tax reforms, tariff increases, and deep cuts to social programs. Proponents claim it will spur economic growth, bolster national security, and support American workers. Yet beneath the surface, the details reveal temporary relief measures for lower- and middle-income earners and permanent benefits for the wealthy.

Temporary Relief, Permanent Inequality

The BBB boasts provisions such as “no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security” payments. At first glance, these seem to offer eagerly awaited relief for working families. In reality, these benefits are temporary and come with strict income caps. Workers can deduct up to  $25,000 in tips and overtime pay, but only until 2028. Seniors enjoy a break on Social Security taxes for incomes below $75,000, yet this benefit expires in 2029.

Meanwhile, the bill permanently extends the 2017 tax cuts for high-income earners and corporations. As Fortune reported, “Middle-income households are expected to see annual tax cuts ranging from $500 to $1,500. However, the lowest-income households could face losses of up to $1,600 annually due to reduced social program funding.” The contrast is stark—a short-term benefit for ordinary workers against a permanent windfall for the wealthy.

Tariffs: The Hidden Tax on Americans

While the BBB is promoted as cutting taxes for everyone, it simultaneously raises tariffs on a broad array of imported goods, including electronics, textiles, and automotive parts. These tariffs are projected to generate $2.4 trillion over the next decade. Yet the increased costs are passed directly onto American consumers, effectively acting as a hidden tax.

Data from the Budget Lab at Yale reveals that these tariff hikes are regressive, disproportionately impacting the bottom 80% of U.S. households. Lower-income families spend a larger share of their earnings on goods subject to the new tariffs, which erodes any benefits from tax cuts and further strains household budgets. The price increases on everyday items mean that many Americans end up paying more for their groceries, clothing, and electronics.

Medicaid and Social Program Cuts: The Fine Print

Perhaps one of the most critical aspects of the BBB is its overhaul of social programs. The bill enacts the largest Medicaid funding cuts in U.S. history—reducing federal support by $900 billion over a decade—and enforces strict work requirements. Able-bodied adults aged 19 to 64 must now report 80 hours per month of work, volunteering, or education to keep their Medicaid coverage.

Critics warn that these measures could result in nearly 17 million Americans losing vital healthcare coverage in the coming years. Mary Mayhew, CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, explained, “We already have rural hospitals that are incredibly financially stressed. This bill could force more closures, creating healthcare deserts.” The loss of Medicaid support further destabilizes communities that depend on affordable healthcare, with particularly severe consequences for rural and low-income populations.

Additional program cuts include significant reductions in SNAP (food stamp) funding and stricter eligibility criteria. The BBB shrinks the safety net for millions of low-income families, undercutting efforts to ensure that basic needs—like food and healthcare—are met. What appears as a series of isolated “efficiency” measures instead paints a picture of a retrenchment that deepens inequality.

Other “Beautiful” Promises with Ugly Consequences

The BBB is filled with provisions that, on paper, seem to offer universal benefits but are riddled with hidden drawbacks. Consider the increase of the child tax credit from $2,000 to $2,200 per child. Although hailed as a victory for families, the benefit is not fully refundable. This limitation means that many of the poorest families—the ones who need the support the most—receive little to no benefit.

Clean energy incentives are also rolled back under the BBB, while permanent tax cuts for fossil fuel industries are extended. This dual approach supports traditional industries at a time when the nation is seeking to move toward sustainable energy solutions. Critics argue that while the bill is promoted as a comprehensive plan for prosperity, it instead locks in favorable conditions for high-income individuals and corporations.

U.S. Representative Lois Frankel has been blunt in her criticism: “This bill is nothing short of cruel. It includes the largest Medicaid cut in history, ripping healthcare away from nearly 17 million Americans.” Such statements underscore the reality that the BBB’s benefits for some come at a significant cost for others.

The Real Winners and Losers

A closer look at the BBB reveals a clear division in its impact:

• Winners:
  High-income households, large corporations, and industries favored by increased funding in sectors such as border security and defense enjoy long-term gains. The permanent extension of tax breaks for the wealthy ensures that they benefit from sustained fiscal advantages.

• Losers:
  Working families, seniors on fixed incomes, Medicaid and SNAP recipients, and constituents who rely on affordable healthcare and robust social services bear the brunt of the policy changes. The temporary nature of the benefits offered to middle- and low-income Americans provides only fleeting relief while critical social supports are dismantled.

The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that the BBB will add approximately $3.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. In a system where the bottom 80% of households see stagnant or even reduced purchasing power, any short-term gains are quickly nullified by long-term fiscal imbalances and heightened living costs.

Seeing Through the Smoke and Mirrors

The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a masterclass in political misdirection. While it seduces with promises of tax relief and economic growth, its actual provisions reveal a calculated strategy that benefits the well-off and penalizes the most vulnerable. Temporary tax breaks, hidden tariff hikes, and deep cuts to healthcare and social programs illustrate how swiftly short-term fixes can mask long-term inequities.

In the words of those who study policy with a critical eye, the true trick lies in distracting the public from the lasting damage these policies will inflict on everyday Americans. It is crucial for voters to demand real, lasting solutions that prioritize the welfare of working families over fleeting political gains.

Don’t be fooled by the smoke and mirrors. Hold elected officials accountable and advocate for policies that truly support the backbone of our economy—the American people.