Trump's ‘Skinny Budget’ Features Impressive Cuts, but Fails To Confront the Drivers of America’s Fiscal Crisis | The New York Sun

Trump's 2026 Budget: A Critical Analysis

President Trump's proposed "skinny budget" for 2026 outlines substantial cuts to domestic agencies, aiming to eliminate redundant programs and shift responsibilities back to states. It targets "woke" initiatives, international aid, and ineffective bureaucracies, proposing a $163 billion reduction.

Shortcomings and Contradictions

However, the budget's impact is diminished by planned increases in defense and border security spending, along with the extension of 2017 tax cuts. It notably fails to tackle the root causes of the fiscal crisis, mainly entitlement programs.

• Defense Spending: A 13% increase, exceeding $1 trillion, is proposed despite calls for a domestic focus. This includes funding for the controversial F-47 fighter jet, despite the costly failures of the F-35.
• Homeland Security: Increased spending on this area is criticized for its costly and potentially counterproductive approach to deportation, ignoring suggested merit-based immigration reforms.
• Entitlements: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, comprising nearly 60% of spending, remain largely untouched, raising concerns about the budget's long-term viability.

Conclusion

While the budget showcases positive aspects such as reduced federal overreach and calls for greater state control, these are counteracted by substantial defense spending and the neglect of entitlement reform. The article concludes that without addressing these issues, the budget will fail to prevent a looming debt crisis, suggesting it's merely a cosmetic change rather than a true solution.