Donald Trump has never been subtle about where his priorities lie, but his latest social media post removes any lingering doubt. On April 4, 2025, he boasted:
“TO THE MANY INVESTORS COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES AND INVESTING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY, MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE. THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GET RICH, RICHER THAN EVER BEFORE!!!”
This isn’t just bluster—it’s an outright admission that his economic policies are designed to benefit the wealthy, while everyday Americans bear the burden. From tariffs that function as hidden taxes on consumers to stock market instability that has wiped out retirement savings, Trump’s economic agenda has made life harder for working families while making it easier for the rich to get richer.
One of the most immediate ways Trump’s policies hurt the average American is through his reckless trade war tactics. Tariffs, which he likes to claim punish foreign countries, are actually paid by U.S. consumers in the form of higher prices. Whether it’s groceries, appliances, or construction materials, working- and middle-class Americans are covering the cost of Trump’s protectionist fantasy while corporations pass the expense down the supply chain.
Meanwhile, the stock market—a crucial savings vehicle for anyone with a 401(k) or pension—has been rattled by uncertainty under Trump’s return to economic chaos. Retirement accounts that took years to recover after the Great Recession have suffered massive volatility. The market’s biggest winners? Those who can afford to speculate, hedge, and cash out at the right moment—wealthy investors, the very people Trump is reassuring in his post.
Beyond market instability, Trump’s tax policies continue to funnel wealth to the top. The corporate tax cuts he previously enacted did little to stimulate long-term growth for workers, but they did help CEOs and shareholders pocket record profits. If re-elected, Trump has already signaled his intention to double down on tax giveaways for corporations and the ultra-rich. Meanwhile, he has remained silent on policies that could ease financial pressure on working Americans, such as raising the minimum wage, expanding health care access, or tackling housing affordability.
His economic vision is clear: a system that rewards wealth, not work. The billionaire class is thriving under Trump, and they have no incentive to change course when the government is writing policies tailored for their benefit. The rest of America, however, faces rising costs, stagnant wages, and diminishing opportunities.
Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of Trump’s declaration is how brazenly he frames it as a success. Rather than even pretending to advocate for the working class—the same people who attend his rallies and hang on his every word—he openly celebrates the financial elite, making it clear that their enrichment is his priority. His followers, many of whom are struggling under the weight of his policies, are left clinging to empty promises while the wealthy cash in.
As Trump courts billionaire investors and Wall Street elites, everyday Americans are seeing their economic security erode. The cost of living continues to rise, access to affordable housing remains a crisis, and good-paying jobs with benefits are becoming harder to find. But for Trump, none of that matters—as long as his rich friends are getting richer.
His latest post should be a wake-up call. Trump’s economy isn’t built for the working class—it’s built for the investor class. And unless voters see through his con, the next four years will be an even bigger payday for the rich, while the rest of the country foots the bill.
