Former President Donald Trump has released a sweeping budget proposal that aims to cut $163 billion in federal spending, signaling a return to fiscal conservatism as a central theme of his political platform. The proposal, while not a formal government budget, outlines the former president's economic priorities as he seeks a return to the White House in 2025.

Major Areas Targeted for Cuts

According to details released by Trump’s campaign and affiliated policy groups, the proposed budget reductions would be spread across a variety of federal programs. Key areas potentially affected include:

Social Safety Net Programs: The plan calls for tightened eligibility requirements and spending reductions for programs such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Federal Bureaucracy: Trump proposes eliminating or consolidating federal agencies deemed "wasteful" or "duplicative," particularly in the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Foreign Aid: A significant portion of the proposed cuts would come from reduced foreign assistance, with Trump arguing that taxpayer dollars should be focused on domestic priorities first.

Climate and Green Energy Initiatives: Echoing themes from his previous term, Trump’s budget would slash funding for climate research and clean energy subsidies, prioritizing fossil fuel development and energy independence.

Deficit and Debt Concerns

The proposal comes amid rising concerns over the national debt, which currently exceeds $34 trillion. Trump’s team argues that reducing federal spending is essential to restoring economic stability and curbing inflation. However, critics note that Trump’s previous term saw both spending increases and tax cuts, which contributed to higher deficits even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This proposal is about restoring fiscal sanity,” said a senior Trump campaign adviser. “We believe it is possible