House Republicans have faced strong criticism and anger from Democratic lawmakers after appearing to give in to President Donald Trump’s efforts to win them over, which included offers of signed merchandise and photo opportunities in the Oval Office. In exchange, they are supporting a wide-reaching bill that would make major cuts to social programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and that didn’t sit well with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).
President Trump has called this legislative effort the “big, beautiful bill,” but it has sparked a heated debate in Congress. Democrats accuse Republicans of putting presidential favors ahead of the needs of struggling Americans. AOC was especially harsh in her criticism, posting on social media to condemn House Republicans.
She wrote, “House Republicans: Voting for cuts to every single American on SNAP in exchange for some signed merch. Voting to starve babies. The disabled. The poor. And they have the audacity to try to brand this as Christian. What does that word even mean to them? Wearing a necklace?” This bill had been challenged, but it seems even those who disagreed with it pushed it forward. AOC jumped on those who tried to shift the blame as well.
MAGA holdouts gave in for swag bags
Senator Elizabeth Warren agreed, tweeting, “Last night a bunch of Republicans in the House were saying how awful this bill was. Only took a couple hours, some merch, and a few words from Donald Trump, and they’re lining up to rip away health care from 17 MILLION people. I’m sadly not surprised — but I am still outraged.”
Last night a bunch of Republicans in the House were saying how awful this bill was.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 3, 2025
Only took a couple hours, some merch, and a few words from Donald Trump, and they’re lining up to rip away health care from 17 MILLION people.
I’m sadly not surprised — but I am still outraged.
Reports say that Trump’s efforts to win support included a steady flow of Republican lawmakers visiting the White House on Wednesday. Many of them had been unsure about the bill at first, as it would slash social programs and change tax policies in ways that mostly help the wealthy. However, after their visits, these lawmakers reportedly left with signed merchandise, photos in the Oval Office, and, according to some, a new enthusiasm for the bill.
House Republicans: Voting for cuts to *every single American* on SNAP in exchange for some signed merch.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 3, 2025
Voting to starve babies. The disabled. The poor.
And they have the audacity to try to brand this as Christian. What does that word even mean to them? Wearing a necklace? https://t.co/xev0kGA77F
President Trump, who is known for selling merchandise featuring his name and image, from MAGA hats to more unusual items like cryptocurrency and perfumes, reportedly used this strategy to gain support for the bill. According to The New York Times, giving signed items to hesitant Republicans was a key part of his plan to win their votes. Representative Burchett even shared how Trump fixed a misspelled sign by adding a missing letter, then signed both sides of it as a keepsake. The president also reportedly gave souvenirs to the son of Representative Chip Roy.
