Brit Hume broke down the numbers behind President Donald Trump’s new tax bill—and who actually benefits.
Appearing on Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, Hume explained why income tax cuts don’t affect every American household. “This is an income tax cut, and income tax cuts benefit the people who pay income taxes,” Hume said.
That’s a key point—because about 40% of U.S. households pay no federal income tax at all. “They pay other taxes—Social Security, property, local—but not federal income tax,” Hume added. “It’s hard to design a tax cut that helps people who don’t pay the tax.”
Trump’s bill tries anyway, by eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. But as Hume put it, “Tax cuts benefit taxpayers.”
The Senate passed the bill early Tuesday with a 51-50 vote, thanks to Vice President JD Vance’s tie-breaking decision. Republican Senators Thom Tillis, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins opposed the measure.
Democrats slammed the bill for favoring higher earners and failing to address ballooning government spending. Hume acknowledged that criticism. “This bill doesn’t do much about spending,” he said. “Reconciliation bills can’t target discretionary spending—only entitlements.”
Republicans focused on trimming Medicaid, hoping to cut off benefits for those not legally eligible. “That includes illegal immigrants and others who are abusing the system,” Hume said.
Democrats argue the changes could cost lives by pushing vulnerable people off healthcare. Hume countered that the goal is to prevent abuse—not punish the needy.
The bill also dropped controversial elements like the green energy excise tax and renamed the legislation, stripping Trump’s original “One Big Beautiful Bill” title. Still, key GOP goals—tax cuts, trimmed Medicaid, and border provisions—remain intact.