Big Cuts in White House Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON — The White House released President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposal Friday, hoping to slash, if not zero out, spending on many government programs. It seeks a sweeping restructuring of the nation’s domestic priorities.

Trump’s plan aims for steep cuts to disease research, renewable energy and peacekeeping abroad, many already underway through the Department of Government Efficiency.  

The budget drafters echo Trump’s promises to end “woke programs”. And they reflect his vow to stop the “weaponization of government” by slashing the Internal Revenue Service, even as critics accuse him of using the levers of power to punish people and institutions he disfavors

The reduction in domestic accounts is near $163 billion, or 22.6% below current year spending, the White House said.

Trump, in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press” taped Friday, pushed back against recession talk.

Asked by Meet the Press host Kristen Welker about Wall Street analysts who have expressed concerns that the chances of a recession are increasing, Trump insisted the economy will do “fantastically.”

“Well, you know, you say, some people on Wall Street say,” Trump said. “Well, I tell you something else. Some people on Wall Street say that we’re going to have the greatest economy in history.”