President Donald Trump issued a blunt warning to House Republicans during their closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill Tuesday, urging them to unite behind his sweeping fiscal package and avoid any efforts to cut Medicaid.
The president addressed members of the House GOP during their weekly conference, where he stressed the importance of passing what he has referred to as his “big, beautiful bill.”
The legislation, which includes a wide range of fiscal policy reforms, has sparked internal disagreement among Republicans, particularly between fiscal conservatives and centrist members from swing districts.
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According to multiple sources present at the meeting, Trump’s primary concern was the proposed changes to Medicaid.
He delivered a forceful message on the matter.
“Don’t f**k around with Medicaid,” Trump told House Republicans, according to a House GOP member and a White House official who spoke to the Washington Examiner.
The president said any adjustments to Medicaid should be limited to eliminating “waste, fraud, and abuse,” removing illegal immigrants from coverage, and enforcing work requirements for able-bodied adults. Trump emphasized that the program must continue to serve its intended recipients.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed those comments at a Monday briefing, saying, “The president wants to preserve and protect Medicaid for Americans who this program was intended for — the most vulnerable in our society — pregnant women, low-income families, seniors, those who truly need these benefits.”
She added that Trump wants “able-bodied Americans at least working 20 hours per week, whether that’s part time or full time,” and that the requirement could also be met through job-seeking or volunteering.
“Whether that’s even looking for work or volunteering for 20 hours a week, if they are receiving Medicaid,” Leavitt said.
“These are commonsense reforms to ensure those that this program was intended for receive those benefits.”
.@PressSec: “@POTUS wants to preserve and protect Medicaid for Americans who this program was intended for… and it should be going to people who physically cannot work. We want to see able-bodied Americans at least working 20 hours per week… These are common sense… pic.twitter.com/Fwq3BMMqcv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 19, 2025
Despite the president’s push, support for the bill remains uncertain. House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris (R-MA) told the Washington Examiner that he remains opposed to the current version.
“We’re still a long ways away, but we can get there — maybe not by tomorrow,” Harris said.
Trump expressed growing frustration with the continued delays and internal disputes within the party. Sources say he urged the caucus to set aside disagreements and vote “yes” to move the legislation forward.
However, provisions that delay certain enforcement measures, including work requirements for Medicaid, until 2029 have drawn criticism from some Republicans who argue the reforms should take effect sooner.
After the meeting, Trump addressed reporters and reinforced the urgency of passing the bill.
“It’s not important for me. It’s important for the country,” he said.
Trump also reiterated his stance on preserving core entitlements.
“I want to leave Medicaid and Medicare exactly as it was, other than for, obviously, waste, fraud, and abuse. We’re strengthening it. We’re going to make these things even stronger,” he said.
President Trump on Democrat fear mongering over Medicare and Medicaid:
“The only thing we’re cutting is waste, fraud and abuse… We’re not changing Medicaid, and we’re not changing Medicare, and we’re not changing Social Security.” pic.twitter.com/6IHGiZpBhb
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 20, 2025
The president’s recent use of strong language to underscore his policy goals has drawn attention.
At a separate event with the Kennedy Center Board on Monday, Trump commented on past concerns about missing major global events during a two-term presidency. He recalled thinking he would not be in office for the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics.
“And then they rigged the election, and then I said, ‘You know what I’ll do? I’ll run again, and I’ll shove it up their a**,’” Trump told the audience, drawing laughter and applause.
“And then they rigged the election. And then I said, you know what I’ll do? I’ll run again, and I’ll shove it up their ass. And that’s what I did.”
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) May 20, 2025
The current spending bill remains under negotiation as Republican leadership works to unify the conference and secure the votes needed to send the legislation to the Senate.
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