President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for entirely scrapping the federal debt ceiling, a surprising move that immediately disrupted Republican efforts to pass his administration’s sweeping legislative package — including new tax cuts and a controversial increase to the federal borrowing limit.
Posting on his Truth Social platform just hours before a closed-door meeting with top Senate Republicans, Trump said the debt limit should no longer exist at all, framing it as a dangerous political weapon that threatens the economy.
“The Debt Limit should be entirely scrapped to prevent an Economic catastrophe,” Trump wrote. “It is too devastating to be put in the hands of political people that may want to use it despite the horrendous effect it could have on our Country and, indirectly, even the World.”
Trump’s comments land at a critical moment. His administration has been working with congressional Republicans to pass what he has dubbed the “big beautiful” bill — a massive package combining tax cuts, regulatory reforms, and a proposed increase to the debt ceiling to avoid a government default. Scrapping the debt ceiling entirely, however, is not currently part of that legislation and has drawn opposition from fiscal conservatives.
A Curveball in the Middle of Negotiations
The president’s statement surprised many on Capitol Hill, especially as it directly undercuts the position being negotiated by GOP leaders in Congress. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently warned lawmakers that the federal government will hit its borrowing limit by August, putting immense pressure on Congress to act quickly.
Trump’s unexpected proposal to eliminate the ceiling altogether — a move long supported by some Democrats but previously dismissed by most Republicans — could throw the timeline into chaos.
“It’s not helpful,” said one senior Senate Republican aide, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The president just complicated an already tight situation.”
A Surprising Shout-Out to Sen. Elizabeth Warren
In an eyebrow-raising twist, Trump’s post also included a rare endorsement of a Democrat: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a longtime political rival. Trump shared a screenshot of one of Warren’s past comments calling for the elimination of the debt limit, writing:
“I am very pleased to announce that, after all of these years, I agree with Senator Elizabeth Warren on SOMETHING.”
The comment stunned both parties. While Warren has been vocal about the dangers of the debt limit, including its use as a political bargaining chip, this is the first time Trump has openly aligned with her position since returning to office.
What Scrapping the Debt Ceiling Would Mean
The debt ceiling, which limits how much the federal government can borrow to pay for spending already approved by Congress, has become a recurring source of fiscal brinkmanship. Economists and budget experts have increasingly warned that the mere threat of default can damage financial markets and harm the U.S. credit rating.
Advocates for eliminating the debt limit argue that it serves no functional purpose and only creates the potential for artificial crises. Opponents argue it is a needed check on runaway government spending.
While Trump has floated the idea before — including in a December 2024 interview — Wednesday’s declaration as sitting president carries far more political weight.
What’s Next for the “Big Beautiful Bill"?
Republican lawmakers were already facing internal divisions over key elements of the legislative package, especially on tax reform and spending priorities. Trump’s latest statement introduces a new and potentially polarizing variable. Some conservatives are likely to resist any move to fully repeal the borrowing cap, while Democrats may view Trump’s comments as a chance to push for broader fiscal reforms.
The White House has not yet clarified whether the president intends to amend the current legislation to reflect his new position, or if his comments were more of a long-term policy suggestion.
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