Key Takeaways
- Republican senators worry Trump’s budget could strip Medicaid from 10 million people, mostly in red states.
- The plan cuts food stamps and gives big tax breaks to the rich, while the poor lose out.
- Experts say GOP voters rely heavily on government aid but may not realize Trump’s policies harm them.
- Trump and Republicans believe their voters will support policies that hurt them if framed correctly.
- Tax cuts for the wealthy are a long-term GOP strategy, despite failed promises of economic growth.
Why Trump’s Budget Could Hurt His Voters
Donald Trump’s latest budget plan is causing concern among some Republican senators. Experts say it could hurt the very people who voted for him.
Under the plan, millions of low-income Americans, mostly in red states, could lose Medicaid, a program that helps people afford healthcare. Food stamps, which help families buy groceries, could also be cut. Meanwhile, the wealthy would get big tax breaks.
This means the bottom 10% of earners would lose resources, while the top 10% would gain. Senators like Rand Paul of Kentucky and Josh Hawley of Missouri are worried about how this will affect their voters.
Why Republicans Keep Cutting Taxes for the Rich
Daily Blast co-author Paul Waldman says the Republican Party is seen as the party of the white working class. But in reality, many of its policies help the rich.
Waldman explains that voters without college degrees, especially white voters in rural areas, tend to support Republicans. However, these same voters rely heavily on government services like Medicaid and food stamps.
Yet, Trump’s budget targets these programs. For example, it cuts subsidies for green energy, even though 80% of such subsidies from the Biden administration went to Republican districts.
Trump’s Belief: His Voters Will Support Anything
Waldman believes Trump thinks his voters are “bigoted and simple-minded” and will trust him no matter what. He says Trump thinks he can sell bad policies as good to his base.
For instance, during Trump’s first term, he promised to bring back coal jobs in states like West Virginia and Kentucky. He failed, but voters still supported him in 2020. Many felt it didn’t matter whether he kept his promises.
This kind of loyalty allows Republicans to claim they’re cutting waste while slashing safety nets and giving tax cuts to the rich.
The GOP’s Long-Term Play
Waldman calls this a “decades-long Republican trick.” Every time Republicans gain power, they cut taxes for the wealthy. They promise the cuts will create so much economic growth that everyone will benefit.
But this promise never works out.quina.
Still, Republicans keep repeating the same strategy because they think voters have short memories. Waldman predicts the GOP will pass these tax cuts this year, but the harm will become clear once they take effect.
What Happens Next?
Waldman says Republicans will likely delay the worst effects of the budget cuts until after the 2024 midterm elections. This way, they can avoid backlash from voters.
However, once the cuts hit, it will be hard to convince people they didn’t lose healthcare or benefits. The tax cuts for the rich will only deepen inequality.
The Final Word
Trump’s budget is a gamble that his voters will stick with him even if his policies hurt them. History shows this strategy can work in the short term. But once the reality of the cuts sets in, voters may realize they’ve been misled.
For now, the GOP is betting on its ability to convince voters that harming them is somehow good for them. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off.