MESA, Ariz. — Enrique Lopez, a sporadic voter, was motivated by Donald Trump’s promises to advocate for ordinary workers, which contributed to the Republican Party’s success in flipping Arizona last year. However, upon witnessing Trump’s inauguration and subsequent actions during his second term, Lopez found himself questioning the president’s alignment with the wealthy elite. “So, the rich control the poor, I guess. They do whatever they want. They get away with it,” Lopez remarked, particularly noting the presence of influential billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos at the inauguration event, which had very limited seating.
Lopez, a 56-year-old home construction contractor from Apache Junction, pointed out that he did not hear any mentions of pressing topics such as rising housing costs or consumer protections during Trump’s inauguration. He expressed disappointment, stating, “I didn’t hear anything about helping people out.” Trump maintains that his policies are designed to assist working- and middle-class citizens, citing initiatives aimed at boosting domestic energy production, which he claims would eventually lower consumer costs. Nonetheless, the initial responses from some voters indicate the challenges Trump might face in preserving his populist appeal while closely associating with billionaires and implementing tariffs that could exacerbate inflation, contrary to his campaign critiques.
Recent data reveals a split among voters with household incomes under $50,000 between Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Trump secured over half of the votes from those earning between $50,000 and $99,999, whereas Harris gained traction among voters with incomes exceeding $100,000. The median household income in the United States stands at approximately $81,000. Support for Trump was notably higher among voters lacking a college degree, while those with higher education levels leaned more towards Harris.
In discussions with a dozen Arizona voters about the inauguration and the president’s early days in office, some middle-class Trump supporters asserted that key aspects of his presidency reflect his campaign values. This includes his strict immigration policies and actions targeting LGBTQ rights. One such supporter, Lorrinda Parker, a retired local government worker aged 65, depicted herself as wary of both political parties and expressed her vote for Trump based on concerns surrounding medical treatments for transgender children, the economy, and what she described as a perilous U.S.-Mexico border situation.
Despite her support, Parker voiced apprehensions regarding the company Trump keeps. She criticized the political elite as being disconnected from the average citizen, referring to them as a “little insular world.” She acknowledged that billionaires could offer valuable insights as advisors but described their presence in Trump’s inner circle as reminiscent of a “technocracy,” characterized by elitist attitudes of superiority. Parker hopes Trump keeps a firm grip on these high-profile advisors.
A recent poll indicates that a substantial portion of the American public does not favor the idea of a president consulting billionaires for policy advice. Approximately 60% view this reliance as potentially harmful, while only around 10% perceive it positively, and nearly 30% remain neutral. The sentiment appears particularly unfavorable towards Elon Musk, especially with his new role as chairman of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The poll’s findings noted that only approximately one-third of individuals hold a favorable view of Musk, reflecting a slight decline since December. Support for the initiative he is leading, DOGE, is also low, with around 30% approval rates among U.S. adults, while 40% express disapproval.
As Democrats and labor activists focus on Trump’s association with billionaires during his inauguration, they see an opportunity to galvanize opposition. Maurice Mitchell, head of the Working Families Party, pointed out that the Gilded Age analogy resonates strongly, asserting that Trump’s shift in priorities since his election is evident. He emphasized that the presence of high-profile billionaires at the inauguration signifies a sharp departure from Trump’s initial campaign promises regarding consumer prices and taxes.
Mary Small from Indivisible echoed concerns that Musk appears to exert significant influence even prior to the inauguration, criticizing his push against a budget compromise reached with the previous administration. She also noted Trump’s alignment with Musk over rank-and-file supporters by backing H-1B visas for skilled immigrants.
Despite the frustrations among working-class supporters, Mitchell cautioned that these sentiments cannot hinge solely on Trump’s missteps or those of billionaires. He stressed the necessity of proposing a constructive vision for the future. “In some ways, Trump’s and MAGA’s hubris is an advantage,” Mitchell remarked, advocating for a proactive approach to articulate a positive direction for the nation.
