How Trump abandoned populism

Trump promised to be a new kind of Republican. What happened?

President Donald Trump.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Scott Morgan)

Conservatives inclined to cheer major tax-cut legislation even if it's signed by a president they don't particularly care for are frustrated by its unpopularity. They blame the media and Democrats for torquing up class warfare. In effect, they ask, don't you know you'll get a tax cut, too?!

Here is an alternative explanation: Working- and middle-class voters don't much care that they might get a (temporary) tax cut. The problem is, when they hear Republicans touting the magic of cuts, they smell a rat. They've been hearing the same rhetoric for 40 years, and they know the fix is in. They suspect that the wealthiest Americans stand to gain the most — and they would be right.

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Scott Galupo

Scott Galupo is a freelance writer living in Virginia. In addition to The Week, he blogs for U.S. News and reviews live music for The Washington Post. He was formerly a senior contributor to the American Conservative and staff writer for The Washington Times. He was also an aide to Rep. John Boehner. He lives with his wife and two children and writes about politics to support his guitar habit.