Donald Trump secured the presidency largely by appealing to individuals he has historically marginalized: impoverished white communities. He has reduced taxes for the wealthy while attempting to strip health care from approximately 20 million low-income Americans. According to Time Magazine, his administration has also weakened protections against predatory lending and restricted access to food assistance programs. Furthermore, he has made it more difficult to address failing for-profit educational institutions. Yet, he presents himself as a champion of the ordinary person, claiming to stand with white Republican supporters, despite his background as a bankrupt millionaire and a figure from reality television.
So why do these individuals support him enough to participate in a violent insurrection and storm the U.S. Capitol at his behest?
Impoverished Whites Believe Hard Work Should Be Rewarded
Our nation’s Puritan roots continue to influence our beliefs. In America, we are taught that hard work leads to success: individuals can elevate themselves through sheer effort, reminiscent of the Horatio Alger tales. Hard work is expected to yield rewards. This belief is crucial. If someone is poor, they are viewed in one of two ways:
- They have worked hard but have not received their due.
- They are simply lazy.
For impoverished whites, this notion is integral to the American Dream: if you put in the effort, you should achieve more than previous generations. If they toil yet see no benefits, there must be a reason. Trump excels at providing scapegoats: immigrants, who many impoverished whites encounter in their neighborhoods, and protesters, such as those from the Black Lives Matter movement, represent outsiders. Trump channels their frustration over unrecognized efforts and redirects it toward trans individuals, Muslims, and liberals.
These groups are portrayed as threats, attempting to take away their rights, resources, and cultural identity. Many impoverished whites feel they have already lost so much, and they embrace this narrative wholeheartedly, finding an outlet for their anger through Trump.
Wealth Equals Worthiness
Conversely, wealth and privilege are often seen as indicators of merit. Even individuals from diverse backgrounds can garner admiration if they achieve financial success. For instance, Oprah Winfrey, despite not being white, is respected for her wealth and influence. There is a prevailing belief that she earned her status and deserves it more than those who have not achieved similar success.
Donald Trump, too, is regarded as a figure of success, having amassed wealth and fame—albeit through questionable means. His association with high-profile properties and businesses reinforces this perception, despite his initial advantages from birth. To impoverished whites, wealth signifies a moral rightness; if someone possesses it, they must have worked hard for it. This belief is not a sign of ignorance but rather reflects a deeply ingrained narrative: hard work is rewarded, and those who achieve wealth must have earned it. Trump fits neatly into this narrative as a representation of “real America.”
Avoiding the Label of Poverty
Being labeled as poor carries significant stigma, as noted by social commentator Alex Jennings. Many individuals do not define themselves by their financial struggles due to societal disdain for poverty. As a result, they often go to great lengths to appear affluent.
In an article on Inesad, Carolynn Look discusses how financial stress can lead individuals to make seemingly irrational choices in their spending, driven by the need to avoid societal judgment. In a society that looks down upon poverty, projecting an image of wealth can preserve dignity and self-esteem.
For many impoverished whites, owning the latest smartphone or a luxury item represents a desire for respect. They want to be seen as worthwhile and often adopt the mindset of “temporarily embarrassed millionaires,” as Jennings phrases it. They believe that if not for external obstacles—like immigrants or affirmative action favoring people of color—they could achieve wealth and status akin to Trump.
The Social Benefits of Being White
Imagine if marginalized communities united to fight against corporate interests. As W.E.B. Du Bois articulated, a coalition of Black and white laborers could lead to significant improvements in wages and working conditions. However, this requires working collaboratively across racial lines, which threatens the social superiority that impoverished whites hold.
In addition to wages, impoverished whites derive benefits from their racial identity, including reduced risk of police violence, greater freedom to bear arms, and better educational opportunities for their children. The housing market perpetuates this narrative, offering better mortgage options to whites, reinforcing the stereotype of white industriousness. When people of color are pushed into substandard housing, it only serves to validate the misguided belief among impoverished whites that they are less hardworking.
While Trump may not improve their financial situation, he provides impoverished whites with a target for their resentment, ensuring they don’t feel at the bottom of the societal hierarchy. They cling to the notion of being part of the “real America.”
A Confusion of the American Dream and Capitalism
The question remains: why do impoverished whites support Trump? It stems from a toxic blend of the impossible American meritocracy intertwined with capitalism. They believe that hard work should lead to financial success and social recognition. Trump embodies their aspirations and resonates with their frustrations, asserting that their dreams have been stolen. If they cannot blame others, it undermines their self-image of being hardworking and clever.
Trump Amplifies Their Frustrations
Many impoverished whites feel genuine anger over job loss and increasing economic disparity. Their stories of hard work and victimization resonate deeply, and they find comfort in hearing their beliefs validated by certain media narratives. They believe that Trump understands their plight and will restore their sense of America.
This isn’t a matter of intelligence; it’s a desire for affirmation of their beliefs about themselves. The interplay of meritocracy, shame around poverty, and racism has culminated in a dangerous insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. We can only hope that this represents the final gasp of a fading ideology, one that, if allowed to persist, will only lead to further chaos and division.
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Summary:
The article examines the complexities surrounding impoverished white communities and their support for Donald Trump. It delves into their belief in meritocracy, the stigma of poverty, and the desire for social status. Despite facing economic hardships, many find comfort in narratives that validate their experiences and frustrations. This dynamic creates a toxic blend of anger and scapegoating, contributing to significant social and political tensions in the U.S.
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