I think Trump wanted to veto the bill.
The reason he did not was that by the time he realized what was in the bill it was too late.
I thought Trump needed to go directly to the American people.
I think Trump realized that if he vetoed the bill the Republicans would turn on him and he would end up with a much worse bill.
Until Republicans work with him and not against him there is not much that Trump can do.Everything Trump has accomplished, he has done on his own. Every time Trump tried to work with other Republicans Trump failed.
Trump did go to directly to the American people. See post 7.