As President Donald Trump begins his second term, his administration's policy agenda raises significant concerns about support for low-income Americans, particularly non-Hispanic Whites. Despite making up a substantial portion of the nation’s impoverished population, this demographic—to their collective befuddlement—receives limited attention in the 47th President's policy framework.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, approximately 191.6 million non-Hispanic White Americans reside in the country. With a poverty rate of 7.7% in 2023, this translates to about 14.75 million individuals living below the poverty line. In contrast, non-Hispanic African Americans, numbering around 39.94 million, experience a higher poverty rate of 17.9%, equating to approximately 7.15 million individuals in poverty.
** These figures highlight that, in absolute terms, there are more non-Hispanic Whites living in poverty than African Americans.
Despite these numbers, the Trump administration has proposed significant cuts to social safety net programs that many low-income non-Hispanic Whites rely upon. For instance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides essential food assistance, faces potential reductions. In 2020, non-Hispanic White individuals accounted for 44.6% of adult SNAP recipients, indicating that nearly half of the program's beneficiaries are from this demographic. Cuts to SNAP would disproportionately affect these individuals, exacerbating food insecurity among low-income White Americans.
Moreover, the administration's stance on healthcare funding poses additional challenges. Proposals to cut Medicaid funding could significantly impact access to medical services for low-income populations. Given that Medicaid serves as a critical resource for many impoverished non-Hispanic Whites, reductions in funding threaten to widen health disparities and limit essential care for this group.
Housing assistance programs are also under scrutiny, with proposed budget cuts targeting affordable housing initiatives. Such reductions could lead to increased housing instability among low-income Americans, who already face challenges in securing affordable and safe housing options. The potential rollback of these programs underscores a policy direction that may neglect the needs of a significant portion of the nation's poor.
Furthermore, the administration's broader economic policies, including tax reforms and deregulation efforts, have been criticized for favoring higher-income individuals and corporations. Analyses suggest that the benefits of such policies are less likely to reach low-income Americans, thereby failing to address income inequality and economic mobility in all demographics.
In conclusion, the current policy trajectory under President Trump's administration appears to overlook the pressing needs of low-income Americans. By proposing cuts to essential social programs and implementing economic policies that may not favor the economically disadvantaged, the administration risks exacerbating poverty and inequality among a substantial segment of U.S.population. A more inclusive policy approach is necessary to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity, have access to the support and resources needed to improve their socioeconomic standing.
Rule of Law
"Trump has consistently signaled a reduction in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) civil rights oversight, raising concerns among advocates. His approach would likely limit the DOJ’s role in addressing police misconduct and civil rights cases, including those involving voting rights protections."
"Such changes could result in fewer investigations into racial discrimination in police departments and might allow local jurisdictions to address—or ignore—cases of potential discrimination. For Black communities facing systemic challenges in the justice system, this could mean a significant loss of federal support for ensuring equal protection under the law."
Sources:
APNews.com - Trump administration directs all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff be put on leave.
ABCNews.go.com - Trump begins slew of executive actions on immigration, economy, other programs.
CPR.org - Trump executive orders on immigrants, transgender rights could echo in American schools.
Forbes.com - Trump Cuts Federal DEI Programs With Executive Order: Here Are The Organizations Ending Diversity Programs.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/01/21/trump-cuts-federal-dei-programs-with-executive-order-here-are-the-organizations-ending-diversity-programs-full-list/
NPR.org - Trump orders end of humanitarian parole for migrants of 4 countries.
FastCompany.com - Trump’s 2017 tax cuts made income inequality worse.
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