sign up log in
Want to go ad-free? Find out how, here.

George Friedman looks at how wannabe US presidential candidate Donald Trump appeals to the marginalised white lower-middle and middle class

George Friedman looks at how wannabe US presidential candidate Donald Trump appeals to the marginalised white lower-middle and middle class

By George Friedman*

Donald Trump appears likely to be the Republican candidate for president. This does not mean that he will become president, but it does mean that he might. It also means that the basic dynamic of the American political system has shifted, suggesting the behavior of the United States might change. And that makes Trump a matter of geopolitical interest. 

These geopolitical consequences cannot be considered until we have looked at how and why Trump differs from other candidates and why he has emerged as a political power. 

Let’s begin with a criticism that has generally been made of him. His supporters tend to be less educated, less well-off, and white. This has become a central, disaffected class in the United States, and while focus has been on other groups, Trump has spoken to this one. He has addressed their economic and cultural interests, and no candidate has done that in a long time. 

This strategy is what has made him effective. Yet it also poses a challenge, as this class by itself isn’t large enough to give him the presidency. And it generates an almost unanswerable question: Did Trump plan this strategy or did it just happen? But let’s begin with why poorer, less educated white voters have flocked to him. 

The Invisible Man - The White Lower-Middle Class 

In the United States, the median household income is about $51,000. In California, a state with high taxes, the take-home pay would be about $39,000 a year. That translates into about $3,250 a month in take-home pay for living expenses. If we assume that a home in an inexpensive suburb, a car, and some limited annual vacation is what we mean by middle class life, it is hard to see how the middle class affords that life today. 

The fourth quintile, the heart of lower-middle class, earns about $31,000 a year before taxes per household. I grew up in a lower-middle class household (my father was a printer, my mother a homemaker, and there were two children). We owned a house and a car and took a vacation. 

Today, people in the lower-middle class are bringing home, at best, $2,000 a month, and they will not own a house but instead pay $1,200 a month to rent an apartment, with the rest going to food and other basics. The lower-middle class can no longer afford what used to be a lower-middle class life.

The Democrats have made a huge case about inequality, assuming that the problem is that the rich own too much. American political culture has rarely been triggered by inequality, but by the inability to acquire the basics of American life. The problem with the Republicans is that they have not noticed that the defining issue of this generation is the collapse in the standard of living of the middle and lower-middle classes. This is part of what brought Trump to where he is today, but only part. 

The deeper problem was the perception of the white segment of the lower-middle class that their problems were invisible. They heard talk about African-Americans or Hispanics and the need to integrate them into society. However, from the white lower-middle class perspective, there appeared to be little interest in the challenges facing their demographic. Indeed, there was a perception that the upper strata and the media not only didn’t care about them, but had contempt for their beliefs. 

The white lower-middle class is divided into two parts. One part has already been shattered by economic pressures, family fragmentation, drugs, and other forces. Another part is under equal economic pressure but has not yet fragmented. It retains values such as religiosity, traditional sexual mores, intense work ethic, and so on.  

This is the class that has been deemed pathological by the media and the upper classes. Its opposition to homosexuality, gay marriage, abortion, promiscuity, and the rest (which was the social norm a generation ago) is now treated as a problem that needs to be overcome, rather than the core of a decent society. The speed of the shift in the values of dominant classes has left this class in a position where those values taught at home and at church are now regarded by the broader society as despicable. Repercussions are bound to happen.

The simultaneous economic disaster and delegitimation of their values marginalized this class. When Mitt Romney referred to the 47% who were parasites in our society, he was referring to these people. When Barack Obama was elected, this group felt that the focus had shifted to the black community and saw itself as invisible (and to the extent seen, contemptible). Economic, social, and cultural evolutions had bypassed them.

Their perception of the political system has become intensely cynical. They see the political elite, bankers, lawyers, and lobbyists as a near criminal and entirely incompetent class. We speak of unemployment after the 2008 recession in terms of numbers. These are the people who were unemployed. They view this elite as claiming rights they haven’t earned. The lower-middle class can tolerate earned wealth, and even respect it, but cannot accept what they see as manipulated wealth and power. 

They also see politicians as being dishonest in other ways: saying whatever they need to say in order to be elected. This is not a new view of politics. However, in this case, what the politicians have said is neither in the language of the white lower-middle class, nor does it address any of their issues. It is not only indifference to the economic problems of the white middle and lower-middle class, but obeisance to a political correctness that delegitimized their values. The politicians are implicitly and explicitly rejecting lower-middle class values. 

The Champion of the White Lower-Middle Class 

Enter Trump. He is rich, but he is perceived, rightly or wrongly, to have earned his wealth - not stolen it through financial trickery. That was one of Trump’s first assertions. The fact that he is a billionaire has helped, not hurt him. The Democratic fantasy of class jealousy doesn’t work where Trump is concerned. The lower-middle class admires his wealth. 

Trump spoke against Mexican immigrants (and implicitly a broader grouping of Hispanics). He is not seen as having his statements vetted by marketing people. And he says things the way his supporters would say things. Trump made it clear that he heard their cultural concerns. Even his debating style - pugnacious, insulting, unapologetic and frequently preposterously wrong - is not fundamentally different from the lower-middle class style of arguing. 

It is the very lack of polish that endears him to his followers (and makes him seem like a man from outer space to the upper-middle class). His occasional cursing and threats are part of the entire package. Trump maneuvered himself into the position of a man who, though he may be rich, thinks and feels like the lower-middle class. More important, he shows that they are not invisible to him - not because he speaks to them, but because he speaks like them.  

The fact that Trump had never run for office is also a powerful factor in his favor. To this group, the political class is the problem, not the solution. The Republican establishment did not grasp that a career politician groomed to run for president has become anathema to this class.

 That Trump was successful as a builder also helped him. The claim that he built things is essential to a class who sees construction as real business… and hedge funds as legalized fraud. The bottom half of society is hurting, and Trump is not seen as one of those who helped bring the pain, as Romney of Bain Capital was seen. 

And Trump is perceived as a tough guy, who is willing to lie, insult, or threaten to get his way. From the lower-middle class point of view, nothing else will get them the solutions they need. The very idea that he might get the Mexicans to pay for a wall or tell the Chinese a thing or two might not be practical. But the thought that he would deal this way with the two nations they see as responsible for their misery is overwhelmingly seductive. 

Finally, and in some ways most important, he says the things they all think but are no longer permitted to say. When he accused Fox News anchorwoman Megyn Kelly, implicitly, of being offensive because she was having her period, observers thought the world would end. For the white lower-middle class, this was a common assertion. 

When Trump claimed that John McCain was not a hero just because he had been taken prisoner, he was speaking to the class who has served in the military going back to Vietnam… and never been called a hero for it. Observers thought Trump had destroyed himself. To many of these voters, McCain had carried his burden, but many knew men who had chosen to die for their buddies. Nothing taken away from McCain, they’d say, but let me tell you about a real hero. For the lower-middle class, McCain had done his duty and endured great hardship… but their definition of a hero was more demanding. They were not appalled by what Trump had said. 

This is Trump’s strength. It is also his weakness. 

Can Trump Win? 

The Republican Party is complex. It is more than a party of the wealthy. It is also the party of lower-middle class whites who reject the current cultural tendencies that have marginalized them. Trump got the marginalized white lower-middle and middle class out over cultural issues. But it is difficult to see how this translates into the presidency. This class is not large enough to give him a victory, and his running will energize his opponents to go to the polls.

The culture wars have been won in the Democratic Party, so there are few voters to win over on that basis. Any Democratic candidate will counter Trump on the economic issue. And those in the Republican upper-middle class are no friends of the Republican lower-middle class. It is not clear how he bridges the gap. 

I don’t think Trump can win the presidency. But he has revealed a serious structural weakness in the American polity. As Americans who earn below the median income are increasingly unable to live the life they could have expected a generation ago, they will join in with resentment against the upper classes. That resentment will be built around cultural issues, as well as economic ones. 

The issue is not the gap between rich and poor, but the fact that the lower-middle class is becoming part of the poor, and the middle class is moving that way as well. As in Europe, the inability of the political and financial elite to see that they are presiding over a social and political volcano will produce more and more exotic alternatives. 

When those people who have skills and are prepared to work can’t get a job that will allow their families to live reasonably well, this is a problem. When statistics show that vast numbers of people are entering this condition, this is a crisis. When there is a crisis, these people will turn to politicians who speak to them and give them hope. What else should they do? 

Whether Donald Trump planned this brilliantly or was simply extraordinarily lucky doesn’t matter. He has found the third rail in American society. The lower-middle class doesn’t make enough to live a decent American life, and the middle class is only a little better off. Whether supporting or opposing Trump, it is essential to understand the foundations of his power and its limits. Trump makes no sense until his appeal to the lower-income white demographic is understood.

-------------------------

*George Friedman is editor of This Week in Geopolitics at Mauldin Economics. This article first appeared here and is used with permission.

We welcome your comments below. If you are not already registered, please register to comment.

Remember we welcome robust, respectful and insightful debate. We don't welcome abusive or defamatory comments and will de-register those repeatedly making such comments. Our current comment policy is here.

31 Comments

pretty good analysis. Missed out a couple of things - I'm pretty sure it was Trump who came out during the tax debates last year and said that the wealthy should pay their fair share rather than be seen to avoid it, and another report I have read that stated the middle classes have been gutted post the GFC with virtually all falling in to the lower classes. I am assuming that is by income and assets. So the angst that the middle classes have with the polity and wealthy is based on some real pain. So this whole picture stands as a warning for all, world wide.

Up
0

Bernie Sanders and Trump both speak for the groups who have been screwed in the interest of a greater economy. Thing is, that used to be a few, now it's a majority.
What has also happened is we have been shagged as an entire country. National mindlessly promotes and Labour chases the red herrings but miss the big picture .
Noticed $5 Billion going out over the border to four big banks for what is increasingly a mere internet process.. Worked out what that means for citizens purchasing power?
When somebody pops up who speaks for folks, including small business and the likes of farmers, they will get votes.

Up
0

Yep, the real farming in NZ is being done by the Australian banks.

Up
0

Friedman is blind to how popular Trump actually is, pretending he only apeals to poor white men.

If Trump gets defeated, especially if it’s done by obviously dishonest means, the next leader to take up the cause of the wage class could very well be fond of armbands or, for that matter, of roadside bombs. Once the politics of resentment come into the open, anything can happen—and this is particularly true, it probably needs to be said, when the resentment in question is richly justified by the behavior of many of those against whom it’s directed.
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/donald-trump-and-polit…

Up
0

I think you're interpreting Friedman's description too literally. There is another aspect though - Friedman carefully avoids saying that Trump is honest and has integrity, and therein lies a huge issue if he gets into power, or as you say he doesn't!

Up
0

Great link Skudiv. But I suggest that's it's not just the wage class that is screwed. Increasingly it's middle income people and small business. For decades we have been sold the idea that increasing GDP is the way, but what happened is we just run faster like rats on the treadmill. The benefits and wealth have been captured and flown elsewhere.
Trump is awful, but that has captured attention. I think Bernie Sanders is actually more interesting (and palatable). Both Bernie and Don though speak to the same thing "The Rigged Economy"

Up
0

I agree, and I think the support for trump is bigger than just the wage class. I wouldn't vote, I rate Hillary as more dangerous, especially wrt geopolitics, yet Trump is just crazy. He doesn't believe in climate change, but he does believe in weather (which is a relief).

Up
0

You describe Trump as crazy - reminds me of Nixon.....

Up
0

Interesting summation.......

Up
0

Trump is the best. And I cannot wait to have a real leader like him here in NZ.

Up
0

Trump wants the Presidency big time,and has identified a large swathe of voters that could just get him in, especially if a Democratic scandal can be highlighted just before the big vote.
He is no idiot; as George W Bush would say, "don't misunderestimate me"or "I'll go nucular"
If he gets in all bets are off.

Up
0

Something tells me you would have liked that guy from Georgia..... or Austria....

Up
0

Listened to Trump after the Super Tuesday results and was quite impressed.
One thing he did say that i was greatly impressed with was how US infrastructure at airports,shipping ports railways and roads was so far behind what emerging countries had.
He also said at an earlier time that he was to be neutral on the Israel/Palestinian problems.Great to see a leader not jump automatically onto Israels side.

Up
0

how US infrastructure at airports,shipping ports railways and roads was so far behind what emerging countries had

The only people who would be gullible enough to believe US infrastructure is, on average, worse than that in 'emerging countries' are the people who have never been to an emerging country.*

*With the exception of China, but then again China is currently the exception to every rule.

Up
0

Maybe,just maybe Trump is a visionary who can see how the emerging countries are developing their infrastructure and where the US infrastructure is headed.

Up
0

I thought Trump an idiot...then listened to him embarrasing the hell out of Jeb Bush re 911 and the 28 redacted pages of the 911 report - which if released could be highly embarrassing (and coincidentally Bush pulled out of the race pretty soon after). In the same debate he critisices the 4 or 5 trillion wasted on war in the Middle east since 911 - primarily a war driven by the lies of 911. Give him credit where due.
http://28pages.org/

Up
0

Lies all around rastus. Globalisation has failed. This is why Trump is doing well. He's the only one who is not afraid to tell it like it is.

Up
0

Sucked in.
He says what people want to believe, not "how it is"
He is the ultimate power seeking populist demagogue, makes Winston Peters look like entry level...

Up
0

What exactly was globalisation supposed to achieve that it has failed to?

Up
0

I like Trump but I really hope that HRC becomes the next president of the USA. America will implode shortly afterwards. The USA needs to broken down from the inside and rebuilt into a democracy.

Up
0

Donald Trump....the first leader to inspire a military revolution in his country, even before becoming the President. Only in America.
It also is a reflection on how democratic America is. When it doesn't suit them, they want to ignore the people's choice and desire.

Up
0

I've read thru Trumps main policies...
Apart from the "Great wall " along the Mexican border..... his policies seem pretty reasonable to me.
I like his policy on trade with China.
I like his policy for War Vets.... what other politicians even care..??
I like his position on health reform..

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions

I'm guessing he actually has a broad base support...

Up
0

I think the "Great Wall" is reasonable. After all good fences make good neighbours. Many country's are blessed with natural barriers. NZ has a great sea barrier all around it stretching out for hundreds of kilometres. The wall will also provide economic stimulation for construction and related industries much like the great highway building of the sixties did and the infrastructure development in China currently. It is also not so far fetched to make Mexico pay for it by raising tariffs and charging a toll to pass through it.

Up
0

What most commentary especially in New Zealand misses is the political system in the US is rotten. Crony capitalism is the norm in the US the political establishment is beholden to vested interest groups, big money, it’s all self-serving. That why as Trump says nothing gets done, everywhere you look reform is needed, the tax system, subsidies, you name but nothing changes so many of the pollies in both houses directly or indirectly have their noses in the trough. Changes will upset the too many vested groups. The people know it that’s why Sanders, Cruz and Trump are to the fore they are challenging the establishment they are talking about blowing the system up and the establishment on both sides are terrified and seeking to stop them. For Trump his populist appeal is a means to an ends whatever it takes. If a more centralist anti establishment candidate other than Sanders was standing against Clinton she would be already history. The Clintons epitomise the money and politics world of Washington. It’s all very fascinating to watch.

Up
0

From a reader:

Donald Trump answers the question: What is 2+2? (Credit: Steven Edwards)

"I have to say a lot of people have been asking this question. No, really. A lot of people come up to me and they ask me. They say, 'What's 2+2'? And I tell them look, we know what 2+2 is. We've had almost eight years of the worst kind of math you can imagine. Oh my God, I can't believe it. Addition and subtraction of the 1s the 2s and the 3s. It's terrible. It's just terrible. Look, if you want to know what 2+2 is, do you want to know what 2+2 is? I'll tell you. First of all the number 2, by the way, I love the number 2. It's probably my favorite number, no it is my favorite number. You know what, it's probably more like the number two but with a lot of zeros behind it. A lot. If I'm being honest, I mean, if I'm being honest. I like a lot of zeros. Except for Marco Rubio, now he's a zero that I don't like. Though, I probably shouldn't say that. He's a nice guy but he's like, '10101000101,' on and on, like that. He's like a computer! You know what I mean? He's like a computer. I don't know. I mean, you know. So, we have all these numbers, and we can add them and subtract them and add them. TIMES them even. Did you know that? We can times them OR divide them, they don't tell you that, and I'll tell you, no one is better at the order of operations than me. You wouldn't believe it. So, we're gonna be the best on 2+2, believe me."

Up
0

I will come straight out and admit it, I am a Trump zealot. Trump is the only candidate who can stop the US turning into a sort of super Brazil. I'd even go as far as saying that the future of humanity hangs on Trump winning the Presidency.

Up
0

And a good example of how young people CAN get something, if they just show up.

"He won almost 85 per cent of people under 30. We saw voter turnout in a democratic primary from people under 30 at the same level as people over 65, who traditionally voted the highest levels."

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/335009-elections-michigan-us-race-sanders/

How many more of these need to happen before the media blackout stops?

Up
0

Good result for Trump yesterday. The only question I have is, what the hell is wrong with Idaho? My experts advise that they appear to be insulated from the horrors of the real world.

Up
0

If the Republican establishment doesn't get behind Trump soon, they are handing over the Presidency to Hillary. With Trump the GOP has a fair shot.

Up
0

News. Bernie wins from behind in Michigan. This is getting interesting.

Up
0