In a moment hailed by supporters and condemned by critics, Donald Trump has signed into law what he called his “big, beautiful bill” — a legislative package that doesn’t just check off his long-standing Make America Great Again (MAGA) pledges, but rewrites America’s future in dramatic and controversial ways.

The legislation touches on nearly every major political flashpoint — from immigration crackdowns to energy reforms and tax policies — sparking fierce debate about who truly benefits from this sweeping overhaul of domestic policy.

As Trump celebrated the bill’s passage at a rally in Iowa, dancing in front of a giant American flag, the symbolism was as loud as the politics: this wasn’t just about passing a law — it was about reshaping a nation.

Here are the three biggest ways Trump’s America 2.0 is already taking shape.

1. A Land of Less Hope: America’s Immigration Overhaul

For decades, the United States was seen as a beacon for migrants seeking better lives. With an estimated 8 million undocumented immigrants in the US workforce — many of them contributing to industries like agriculture and construction — prior administrations had opted for tolerance and sanctuary policies.

But Trump’s legislation changes all of that.

It injects more than $100 billion into enforcement, doubling detention center capacity, reviving construction on the Mexican border wall, and deploying thousands of new border agents. The era of sanctuary cities is effectively over.

In an unprecedented move, the bill introduces steep financial barriers to legal migration. Asylum seekers will now face minimum fees of $100 just to apply, while those seeking humanitarian protection must pay $1,000. Even work permits will cost $550 or more.

These measures reflect a brutal calculation: make migration harder, less appealing, and more expensive. Yet, there’s a twist. Trump has hinted at a potential exception for undocumented farm workers — if their employers vouch for them, some may stay. It’s a nod to practicality in an otherwise hardline policy shift.

Critics argue the bill strips the U.S. of its historic identity as a “land of hope.” Supporters, however, see it as a long-overdue tightening of a broken system.

2. Fossil Fuels Over the Future: Climate Takes a Backseat

Environmentalists may breathe a sigh of relief that the bill didn’t include a new tax on solar and wind projects, but they’re not celebrating.

The bill slashes clean energy tax credits — key incentives for electric vehicles, solar energy, and eco-friendly homes introduced under former President Joe Biden. Instead, Trump is doubling down on his energy mantra: “Drill, baby, drill.”

The new law simplifies leasing public lands for oil and gas drilling, cuts royalty payments for fossil fuel producers, and lifts restrictions on mining operations. In other words, coal is back — and so is the pollution.

According to a Princeton University study, the bill could add 470 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2035 — more than Australia’s entire yearly output.

Donald Trump has long been vocal in his opposition to renewables. He’s called solar farms “ugly as hell” and wind turbines “bird-killers” that “destroy the place.” Now, those sentiments are no longer rhetoric — they’re national policy.

3. Widening the Wealth Gap: Tax Cuts, Medicaid Slashes, and Social Strain

At the heart of Trump’s bill is a tax reform package that he’s calling the “largest tax cut in U.S. history.” But while it keeps his 2017 tax cuts permanent, most of the benefits tilt toward the wealthiest Americans.

The bill is projected to cost $4.5 trillion over ten years. To offset this, Trump’s administration is pulling the plug on parts of the country’s already-thin social safety net.

About 12 million Americans are expected to lose Medicaid coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office, saving the government $1 trillion. Additionally, funding for food stamp programs — lifelines for low-income families — will be slashed.

In return, there are minor benefits: tip-based workers will no longer be taxed on their tips, certain senior citizens and parents will receive tax credits, and — in a quirky twist — Alaskan whaling captains will get special tax exemptions, thanks to a Republican holdout senator from the state.

Still, the overall impact? Richer Americans gain, and the poor are told to work harder or get less. As one analyst put it, “Trump’s bill cements a future where the rich get richer — and the rest fend for themselves.”

Musk’s Fury and Republican Fallout

Interestingly, Elon Musk, once seen as aligned with Trump’s free-market ideology, took to X (formerly Twitter) to unleash a storm of criticism. “You’ve created a monster,” read one of his cryptic posts, referencing the economic burden on innovation and clean tech.

The tension between Trump and his billionaire backers could grow — but for now, Trump is focused on legacy. With one stroke of a pen, he may have done more to remake America than any president since Ronald Reagan.

But as the dust settles, the question lingers: at what cost?