The impact of Trump’s economic policies on the average Joe

Dear Editor,

As the conversation around the 2024 election continues, it’s important to reflect on the real-world impact of Donald Trump’s economic policies, particularly on the lower and middle classes. While his administration frequently touted economic growth and job creation, the benefits of these policies did not reach everyone equally.

Trump’s tax cuts, primarily benefiting corporations and the wealthy, did little to alleviate the struggles of working-class Americans. In fact, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provided significant relief to the top 1 percent, while offering minimal benefits to low-income families. These cuts also added to the national deficit, potentially leading to future budget cuts in essential programs such as Medicaid, food assistance, and affordable housing—programs that the lower class heavily depends on.

Additionally, Trump’s trade wars and tariffs on goods like steel and agricultural products disproportionately hurt small businesses and workingclass Americans by increasing prices. Jobs in industries like manufacturing and farming saw instability due to retaliatory tariffs from other countries. While there was growth in the stock market, working-class families, many of whom don’t own stocks, didn’t see the same financial gains as wealthier Americans did.

In times of economic struggle, those at the bottom feel the hardest pinch. As we debate the future of economic policy, we must ensure that the needs of the average Joe are prioritized, not sidelined in favor of the wealthiest. We need economic strategies that invest in education, job training, and public health, rather than more tax breaks for the rich.

T.A. CAVES, SALLISAW