Priorities

 

One of the key differences between the Trump 2016 and Trump 2024 supporter demographic was an increase in the under $50,000 wage earners. The current median personal income level in the U.S. is $63,360. Trump’s 2024 election support had 43% of it comprised of people earning less than $50,000. That means that almost half of his support came from the working poor.

The working poor used to be a stronghold of the Democratic party, but a significant portion of that demographic shifted to Donald Trump in the 2024 election. If not for that crossover dynamic, it could be argued that Donald Trump would have lost the 2024 election. The question now becomes, how has Trump treated those who brought him to the dance?

First, he initiated a flurry of tariffs with valuations shifting like winds on a Kansas prairie. This hurt farmers who now have to be bailed out with subsidies from other taxpayers. The tariffs put many small businesses out of business. The overall economy suffered and the cost of living rose.

In a series of other moves, he shifted national priorities away from renewable energy sources. This benefitted the oil and coal industries. It also hurt the clean energy sector which saw the loss of over 150,000 jobs. This clean energy manufacturing center lost $29 billion in projects. By 2030, job losses in this sector will amount to 760,000. Those were good-paying skilled jobs like electrical workers, pipe fitters, welders, pile drivers, iron workers, machinists, and carpenters.

Trump’s buyback of offshore leases and cancellations of renewable energy projects forces us to rely more heavily on fossil fuels in an unstable global energy market. The demand for energy is skyrocketing with the expansion of power-hungry artificial intelligence centers. Customers will no longer be able to benefit from the lower energy costs available with renewable sources. Those benefits will be enjoyed by other nations in Europe and Asia, but we will be forced to rely on the more volatile fossil fuel industry.

The third nail in the coffin of the long-suffering lower classes, was the “war” in Iran. Trump’s decision to listen to Israel without consultation with congress or those with intelligence in middle east matters, and enter a war with Iran, saw the predictable closing of the Strait of Hormuz. This resulted in a 50% rise in gasoline and diesel prices. Trump’s claim of energy independence, discounts the fact that oil is a global market item. It is the lead domino in a series of dominoes that will raise the cost of living and increase the risk of a recession.

The stock market that Trump continues to brag about is continuing to ride the expansion of AI investment that is now a significant factor. While high energy costs are bringing pain to low-to-middle income households, those with stock portfolios will probably push any recession or downturn into 2027. Oil company executives are laughing all the way to the bank.

So, Trump’s priorities are clear, Stock market, yes. Billionaires, yes. Trump family, yes. Little guy, “I don’t care.”