Fact-checking three key claims about Trump's mega-bill

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President Donald Trump's flagship piece of legislation - which he's labelled the "big beautiful bill" - has faced major objections from Democrats as well as from some Republicans. It has been subject to tense negotiations amid questions about how much it could cost and its proposed cuts to some US welfare schemes. Elon Musk has also weighed in, repeating threats to form a new political party if the "insane spending bill passes". BBC Verify has looked at claims made about the bill's possible impact in three key areas - the US national finances, medical cover, and taxes.

How much would the bill cost?

The White House has said the bill "reduces deficits by over $2 trillion" - but senior Democrats have insisted it would actually add trillions. BBC Verify has examined various independent studies about the bill's impact and interviewed six tax experts who all agreed that it would increase the national deficit. The deficit is what happens when the US government spends more than it collects through taxes and other forms of revenue. Musk criticised lawmakers who "voted for the biggest debt increase in history" when it was being passed in the US Senate. The debt is the overall sum of money owed by the government - essentially the accumulation of past budget deficits - which means it has to borrow money and pay interest on this. Trump's mega-bill heads for final vote in overnight US House session

A look at the key items in Trump's sprawling budget bill

'Our food doesn't even last the month' - Americans brace for Trump's welfare cuts The US national debt is currently about $36tn (£26tn) - of which about $29tn is money owed by the government to investors around the world. Larger deficits and a bigger debt can theoretically result in higher interest rates - the idea being that investors worry more about a country's capacity to pay its debts as those rise and they therefore demand higher interest payments. That can feed into higher interest rates for consumers which make things like housing and cars less affordable, and restrict business investment and therefore productivity and jobs. The current version of the bill is estimated to add about $3.3tn (£2.4tn) to the US deficit over the next 10 years, despite an initial economic boost, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) - the government agency which provides independent analysis of spending.

The CBO said the spending cuts proposed in the bill would be outweighed by the tax cuts. An analysis from the Tax Foundation think tank concluded that the bill "would increase economic output but worsen deficits". It projects that the bill would increase the level of US GDP by around 1% after 10 years relative to where it would otherwise be, but that it would also add $3.6tn (£2.6tn) to the deficit over the same period. Some banks have said they are in favour of the bill - with the American Bankers Association writing an open letter to lawmakers saying it provides "much needed tax relief" which would boost the economy. The experts BBC Verify spoke to said although the bill may provide some economic growth, its cost would be significantly more than this boost. "Most analysis finds that the bill will produce a small, temporary, short-lived boost – but that over time the bill will actually be a drag on the economy," says Bobby Kogan, a federal budget expert at the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan policy institute. And Mark Zandi, an economist at the financial consultancy Moody's Analytics, says: "It will result in continued massive budget deficits, and a high and rising debt load."

What impact would the bill have on Medicaid?

"We're cutting $1.7 trillion in this bill and you're not gonna feel any of it. Your Medicaid is left alone. It's left the same," Trump claimed at an event about the bill last week. However, various studies show there will be significant reductions to Medicaid under the bill. Medicaid is the government-run scheme which provides healthcare insurance for about 71 million low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) - an independent health policy research group - found that the bill would cut $1tn (£729bn) from future Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. The White House has said the bill "removes illegal aliens, enforces work requirements, and protects Medicaid for the truly vulnerable". The CBO estimates that nearly 12 million Americans would lose health insurance by 2034 under the terms of the Senate bill - with just 1.4 million of these being people "without verified citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status". "The largest Medicaid cut in American history came in President Reagan's first year in office… These Medicaid cuts would be at least four times the size," said Mr Kogan.

What about the impact on taxes?

Trump has repeatedly said that not passing the bill would lead to massive tax rises on Americans - in part because the tax cuts passed during his first-term in office are due to expire at the end of this year. "If it's not approved, your taxes will go up by 68%," the president said last week. We asked the White House for the calculations behind Trump's claim - they responded saying the bill "prevents the largest tax hike in history" but didn't answer our question on where the specific figure comes from.

Getty Images Elon Musk, the world's richest man and one-time ally of the president, is among the bill's critics

Liverpool forward Diogo Jota has died in a car crash, aged 28.

The Portugal forward's brother Andre Silva also died in the accident, which took place in the Spanish province of Zamora.

The 26-year-old was also a professional footballer, with Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel.

The Guardia Civil has told BBC Sport that Jota and his brother died at about 00:30 local time on Thursday.

They said that their car, a Lamborghini, left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle and then caught fire.

Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children, just last month.

He recently posted pictures on social media, external of the ceremony, which took place on 22 June.

Liverpool said they "are devastated" at the loss of Jota, who they signed from Wolves for £41m in 2020.

He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds, helping them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and the Premier League title last season.

He also played for Portugal as they beat Spain in the final of the Nations League on 8 June, which was his 49th international appearance.

"The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated," read a FPF statement.

"Much more than an amazing player, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all team-mates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.

"We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and Andre Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily."

The FPF has requested that European football's governing body Uefa observe a minute's silence before Portugal's Women's Euros game against Spain on Thursday.

Liverpool say they are "devastated" by the "unimaginable loss" of their Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who has died in a car crash.

The Portugal international and his brother Andre Silva, 26, died in the accident, which took place in the Spanish province of Zamora.

"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre's family, friends, team-mates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss," the club added.

Jota, who joined the Reds in 2020 from Wolves, won the Premier League last season and was also part of the squad that won the FA Cup and League Cup double in 2021-22.

Former England captain Owen Farrell has been called up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, marking a remarkable return to the Test scene.

Coach Andy Farrell has turned to his son as a replacement for utility back Elliot Daly, who has been ruled out after fracturing his arm in Wednesday's win over Queensland Reds.

"It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliot's tour is over. He is a Lions legend who has added so much to the group on and off the field over the past few weeks and over the course of three Tours," said Andy Farrell.

"Owen will now come in and add to our options and bring his own Lions experience to the group."

Owen Farrell, 33, recently returned to Saracens after a difficult season in Paris with Racing 92.

He won 112 caps for his country before taking a break from England duty after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

A Test Lion on the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours, there is no doubting Farrell's credentials.

But his call-up is controversial.

Farrell has not played international rugby in nearly two years and has not played at all in nearly nine weeks after suffering a concussion while playing for Racing against Lyon on 4 May, his last game for the Top 14 side.

A host of other contenders - such as Wales' Blair Murray or Scotland's Tom Jordan - have been training and preparing for competitive rugby with their national sides.

However, when naming his Lions squad on 8 May, Andy Farrell confirmed Owen had been in selection contention despite his lack of international rugby.

"Owen was in the conversation obviously, an experienced player like that, looking for his fourth tour and with his leadership qualities," he said.

Last month England head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed Owen Farrell was not considered for England's summer tour to Argentina, despite his return home making him eligible again.

"Owen has been on record saying he just wants to get back playing and get settled with his family back in Hertfordshire, and we wish him all the best with that," Borthwick told Rugby Union Weekly.

It is our understanding Arsenal came into the summer with two primary striker targets - RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres.

Well, there was a third - but the chances of securing Alexander Isak from Newcastle were deemed largely unrealistic.

A move for Slovenia international Sesko has substantial backing from key figures at the Emirates - including Arteta.

BBC Sport has learned the player's agent, Elvis Basanovic, was invited to Arsenal's final home game of the season against Newcastle as a guest of the club.

But a deal to sign Sesko has proved difficult. Sources have indicated there is still no agreement between the 22-year-old and Arsenal, let alone the two clubs.

Of course, a breakthrough could come at any moment - but the suggestion is that striking a deal for Sesko has proved significantly harder than expected.

Part of that may be down to changes towards the top of the club in recent months.

With the Gunners' interest in Sesko well established, Basanovic is understood to have developed a strong relationship with former sporting directors Edu and Jason Ayto.

But with both gone and Berta leading the negotiations, those nurtured relationships are no longer relevant.

And there have been indications in recent days that Arsenal have focused attention on other targets.

The impasse with Sesko could, of course, be a strategic ploy from the Gunners to see if he will accept what to them would be more favourable terms.

Either way, Arsenal are understood to have made headway with a potential move for Gyokeres in recent days.

Significantly, the signing of the Sweden international is understood to have Berta's backing.

Gyokeres was not a strong target for Arsenal prior to Berta's arrival earlier this year, but he believes the 27-year-old could make an instant impact.

And the striker, who is at odds with Sporting over his valuation, is understood to be very keen to join Arsenal.

Should Arsenal sign Sesko or Gyokeres, it is likely to cost them in excess of £70m.

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, who Arsenal tried to sign in January, would be a cheaper option - allowing them to spend more elsewhere.

The 29-year-old is open to joining Arsenal - the club he supported as a boy - and it is understood that he and Gyokeres are the two players they have explored moves for in recent days.