3 in 5 Americans think Trump's tax plan mostly benefits the rich, including 1 in 5 Trump supporters
President Trump is promoting the emerging Republican tax plan as a big tax cut for the middle class that won't benefit wealthy people like himself, but according to a new poll for CBS News, people aren't buying the pitch. In the poll, 58 percent of respondents said the tax plan favors the wealthy, 18 percent said it favors the middle class, 5 percent pick the poor as primary beneficiaries, and 19 percent said it benefited everyone about equally. Even among Trump's most dedicated supporters, 19 percent said Trump's plan favors the rich and 35 percent said it favors the middle class. Trump himself was angry to learn recently that parts of his plan would raise taxes on the middle class, Bloomberg reports.
There was broader agreement that the U.S. economic system favors the wealthy — 73 percent overall, including 51 percent of Trump's most ardent supporters and 58 percent of self-described conservatives. And there was little appetite for deficit-busting tax cuts, as the GOP is considering: Only 21 percent supported tax cuts that raise the deficit, including 35 percent of top Trump supporters and Republicans; 39 percent favored cutting the deficit even if it means taxes stay the same; and 40 percent said neither tax cuts nor deficit reduction should be a priority.
The survey also found that people are really worried about Trump's handling of North Korea, favor stricter gun laws, back renegotiating NAFTA, are getting more polarized about Trump himself — 42 percent strongly oppose, 19 percent strongly support — and a 52 percent majority say Trump deserves no or little credit for the recent increase in the stock market. The poll, which you can peruse in detail, was conducted for CBS News by YouGov among 2,371 U.S. adults Oct. 11-13, and it has a margin of error of ±2.5 percent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
North Carolina Supreme Court risks undermining its legitimacy
Under the radar A contentious legal battle over whether to seat one of its own members threatens not only the future of the court's ideological balance, but its role in the public sphere
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Codeword: January 14, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: January 14, 2025
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Jimmy Carter honored in state funeral, laid to rest
Speed Read The state funeral was attended by all living presidents
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sentenced after Supreme Court rejection
Speed Read Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in the majority
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
DOJ to release half of Trump special counsel report
Speed Read The portion regarding Trump's retention of classified documents will not be publicly released
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Jimmy Carter lies in state as 3-day DC farewell begins
Speed Read The 39th president died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Giuliani held in contempt of court over forfeit assets
Speed Read He has failed to turn over $11 million in assets to two Georgia election workers he defamed after the 2020 election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden resettles 11 more Guantánamo detainees
Speed Read In an effort to reduce the number of prisoners held in Guantánamo Bay, Biden transferred 11 Yemeni detainees to Oman
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Trudeau announces resignation
Speed Read Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down after nearly a decade in office
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden signs boost to Social Security for public workers
Speed Read The president signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, expanding retirement benefits for millions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published