Frank Spotorno
By Dan Murphy
One of the stories we have been covering is the response from some Trump voters in Westchester who may have had enough of ICE policy and Medicaid cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill.
Frank Spotorno was at Trump Tower in 2015 for Donald’s Presidential announcement. Frank ran for Congress in 2016 in NY-14 as a republican and on the same ticket with Trump. He has been one of President Trump’s biggest supporters over the past 10 years.
But recently, Spotorno, who has an active Facebook page and a large following, has expressed his objections to some of Trump’s policies, namely tariffs, Medicaid changes, and lack of affordability.
On the State of the Union: “Folks, tonight’s State of the Union address is going to be a real doozy . Our fearless leader will spin us a tale of grandeur, trying to convince us we’re living the dream. But let’s get real – the numbers don’t lie . Under Trump’s watch, the cost of living has skyrocketed, utilities are through the roof, and food prices are forcing us to choose between groceries and rent.
On the one hand, we’ve got stats showing unemployment near historic lows at 4.3% and inflation relatively under control at 2.5%. Real wages are up 1.9% in Trump’s first year back in office, with blue-collar workers seeing a $1,300 increase in real annual earnings. Sounds great, right?
But here’s the thing: housing affordability is a nightmare . Rents are up 50% since 2017. Grocery prices jumped 5% in 2025, and electricity prices are up 9%. Trump’s tariffs aren’t helping, costing average households $1,700 plus annually.”
Spotorno, a proud union member who has for 20 years advocated for American corporations to bring back middle-class manufacturing jobs, commented on Trump’s tariff policy.
The Trump Tariffs: A Middle-Class Squeeze
We voted for him, folks! We wanted change, and boy, did we get it. The Trump Tariffs sounded like a great idea at first – make America great again, right? But, surprise, surprise, it’s the working-class Americans who are getting squeezed.
Those tariffs were supposed to bring back jobs and boost our economy, but all they’ve done is raise prices on everyday goods. Remember when Trump promised $2,000 stimulus checks? Yeah, those disappeared.
The truth is, tariffs are just taxes on imports, and guess who’s paying them? Middle-income families and seniors on fixed incomes. Meanwhile, big corporations are just passing the costs to consumers. Who’s laughing? Not us.
In the end, it’s the American people who’ll bear the brunt of these tariffs. Maybe next time we’ll think twice before voting with our hearts instead of our wallets.
Tariff Tango: We Collected Billions, But Lost in Translation
The United States collected a record $287 billion in tariffs in 2025 – a number so big, it’s like we finally figured out how to monetize our opinions on global trade. But hold onto your wallets, folks, because the Supreme Court just ruled the Trump administration’s tariff strategy was illegal. That’s right, we’re potentially on the hook for $175 billion in refunds. Who needs a participation trophy when you can have a refund party?
The tariffs had all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, increasing costs for US consumers and businesses while claiming to boost manufacturing. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. We lost 83,000 manufacturing jobs in 2025, and our goods trade deficit hit a record $1.241 trillion. It’s like we paid for a gym membership and got a lecture on inflation instead of a workout.
But Spotorno’s most personal problem with President Trump and Congressional Republicans stems from the changes to Medicare under the Big Beautiful Bill.
Approximately four months ago, I fired off a scathing letter to President Trump about the comprehensive bill. Specifically, the potential repercussions on our Medicare program and the impact on Americans following the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The situation has become utterly absurd, and I’m now experiencing the consequences firsthand.
The bill is a whopping 1,000 pages long, and trying to decipher it -did anyone actually read the thing?
Donald J Trump: the unsung hero who’s making waves in the Medicare Advantage market. Meanwhile, over 2 million Medicare recipients were forced to switch plans due to insurance carriers scaling back their offerings. UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna (CVS Health) cited shrinking profit margins, rising medical costs, and declining federal reimbursement rates as reasons for their exits. Who needs stable healthcare coverage when profits are at stake?
Medicare Advantage Plan Changes for 2026:
• UnitedHealthcare: Dropped plans in 109 counties, affecting around 180,000 people
• Humana: Cut plans in hundreds of counties and a few states to stabilize financial margins
• Aetna (CVS Health): Operating prescription drug plans in 100 fewer US counties
• UCare: Exiting the Medicare Advantage market entirely, affecting about 158,000 enrollees
The numbers are staggering:
– 1.5 million people losing ACA coverage due to expiring subsidies
– 1.5 million people in New York are potentially losing coverage due to federal policy changes
– 16 million people who lost Medicaid coverage during the “unwinding” process
– 1 million patients who had to find new Medicare Advantage plans because their insurers dropped certain plans (My wife being one of these statistics )
The American Healthcare System: A Looming Crisis for Vulnerable Populations
The United States healthcare system is on the precipice of disaster, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of the impending crisis. The Medicare Advantage plans, touted as a solution for seniors, have proven to be a deceptive alternative. These plans come with coverage caps, leaving patients with exorbitant bills and limited access to healthcare providers and facilities. The recent healthcare legislation has transformed the system, making insurance companies the primary providers for seniors.
The days of unlimited Medicare coverage, 80% reimbursement, and supplemental insurance options are gone, replaced by a system that prioritizes profits over people. In my zip code, UnitedHealthcare is the sole provider of supplemental insurance, but neither of our primary care physicians accepts it. Fortunately, AETNA offers various out-of-pocket plans that provide additional coverage.
The Devastating Consequences:
• Medicare Advantage Plans: Primary insurance providers for many seniors, with coverage caps that can lead to financial ruin.
• Limited Provider Networks: Narrow networks restricting patients’ access to healthcare providers and facilities.
• Prior Authorization: Delays care and causes frustration for patients and providers.
• Overpayments: Medicare Advantage plans receive higher payments from Medicare, resulting in overpayments and increased costs for taxpayers.
As the healthcare system continues to deteriorate, it is clear that the forgotten Americans are those relying on Medicare. The future looks bleak, with predictions of rising healthcare costs, reduced access to care, and a growing number of uninsured Americans. The question remains: how much more will the American people have to suffer before meaningful change is implemented?”
We asked Spotorno the same question we ask many of our friends and family who voted for Trump but are now disillusioned. Who will you support if not Trump?
Frank said he doesn’t know but did say he supports Trump on issues like securing the border, and added, “I don’t see much from the democrats either.” More coming from Frank in the weeks to come.
Read and follow Frank at https://www.facebook.com/frank.spotorno.5.
