US President Donald Trump on Friday signed a sprawling tax and spending bill into law, after it passed through Congress despite deep misgivings among Republicans and Democrats. Trump's success in passing the bill - that critics say will balloon national debt and gut welfare support - shows that the President "is able to control his Republican party",

Against odds that at times seemed improbable, the president achieved his goal of celebrating a historic — and divisive — legislative victory in time for the nation's birthday, which also was his self-imposed deadline for Congress to send the legislation to his desk.

In a speech from the White House balcony facing the South Lawn, Trump thanked Republican lawmakers who helped usher the bill to his desk. He touted the tax cuts in the bill, brushing aside criticism of the impact to social programmes such as food assistance and Medicaid.