An Open Letter to Everyday People Who Support Donald Trump
We Are All in This Together
I want to address you directly—people like me, who work hard, provide for their families, and care about the future. If you're a supporter of Donald Trump, I understand why. You feel a sense of connection to him, a belief that he's looking out for regular folks like us. But I want to ask you to take a step back and think about what the long-term impact of his policies might really mean—for you, for your wallet, and for those who need healthcare or a fair shot at success.
I get it. It's easy to be frustrated with the system, to feel like the deck is stacked against you. But the truth is, Trump’s approach often seems to benefit people who already have everything, while the rest of us are left paying higher prices for everyday goods and seeing our access to healthcare slip away.
Let’s be real: Trump is all about taking care of himself. Sure, some policies might occasionally benefit everyday people, but that’s mostly by accident, not by design. Trump’s success is tied to the elite, the wealthy, those who see capitalism as a game where the strongest survive—and it often seems that as long as you don’t cross him, you’re in his good graces. For the rest of us, any benefits we get from his decisions are purely coincidental. He’s always been about what’s best for him—and it’s always been that way. Others get swept along in the wake, whether they know it or not.
The Economic Impact: Rising Prices and Tariffs
One of the most significant changes Trump introduced was his use of tariffs, particularly on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. While the idea was to protect American industries, the reality has been a little different. These tariffs have driven up the cost of products we use every day, from groceries to electronics. This isn't some distant issue—this hits your pocketbook. Economists have warned that these tariffs could significantly reduce our purchasing power, especially for families that already struggle to make ends meet (Economic Policy Institute, 2017). The tariffs may have been aimed at foreign industries, but they’ve ended up costing you, the consumer, more.
For example, the Center for American Progress (2018) highlighted that the cost of basic goods—like household items and even cars—has gone up, and this trend is likely to continue. The truth is, it’s not just the high-end products that get more expensive; the day-to-day stuff adds up too. Estimates show that this tariff strategy could cost American households tens of billions of dollars over time (PBS News, 2018). And while we’re all feeling this pain, it’s the working-class families who feel it the most.
Healthcare Access: A Growing Threat
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expanded healthcare access for millions of Americans, became a key target under Trump. His administration repeatedly tried to repeal it, and though some protections for people with pre-existing conditions remain, the rollback of other provisions has put many families at risk. For vulnerable groups, such as low-income people or those with chronic conditions, losing healthcare access could be devastating. Imagine having to choose between paying for your medication or putting food on the table. That’s the reality for many people when essential services are cut or become unaffordable.
Despite claims of protecting those with pre-existing conditions, some of Trump’s actions have resulted in rising uninsured rates and limited access to healthcare (Commonwealth Fund, 2016). Even worse, some estimates suggest that proposed changes could push millions of Americans off their healthcare plans, making them pay even higher out-of-pocket costs (Refugees International, 2018). For you, for me, and for our neighbors, this is a matter of life and death. The more we let these policies go unchecked, the more we risk leaving those who need care the most behind.
Wealth Distribution: The Rich Get Richer
Let’s talk about wealth for a minute. Trump’s tax policies have disproportionately favored the ultra-wealthy. While tax cuts were sold as a way to benefit everyone, studies have shown that the wealthiest Americans are the primary beneficiaries, while working-class people see little gain (House Budget Committee Democrats, 2017). The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, for example, provided a massive windfall to corporations and high-income households, leaving everyday people with minimal relief—and often higher deficits to deal with (Institute for New Economic Thinking, 2017).
Some people believe that these tax cuts will spur economic growth, but the reality is different. The wealth is just flowing upwards, and the rest of us are left to pick up the tab. Essential services, like education, healthcare, and social safety nets, are being slashed to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. It’s a simple fact: when the rich get richer, the rest of us get squeezed (Oxfam, 2018).
Immigration Policies: A Society Divided
Trump’s stance on immigration has been another point of contention. The “zero tolerance” policy, which separated families at the border, garnered widespread condemnation, with critics pointing out the long-term trauma it inflicted on children and parents alike (American Bar Association, 2017). But it’s not just the direct harm to immigrants—it’s the societal harm that affects us all. By stoking anti-immigrant sentiment, policies like these have also led to a rise in discrimination and harassment. The impact isn’t confined to the border; it’s felt in workplaces, in schools, and in communities nationwide.
For many immigrants, these policies deter them from seeking essential healthcare services, fearing deportation or detention (Refugees International, 2018). That fear affects all of us. We all deserve access to care, to safety, to dignity. And we all lose when we create a society where some are forced to live in fear.
Business Interests: Conflicts of Interest
Finally, there’s the issue of Trump’s business dealings. Throughout his presidency, Trump faced scrutiny for not fully divesting from his private businesses, raising concerns about conflicts of interest (CREW, 2018). It’s hard to ignore that certain policies, from international trade agreements to government spending, seem to have benefited his properties directly. It raises an uncomfortable question: were political decisions made to protect the interests of a few elite, wealthy individuals, including Trump himself?
When your president is making decisions that directly benefit his own pocketbook, it creates an environment of corruption and self-interest that trickles down to all of us.
Conclusion: A Call for Reflection
I’m not here to bash anyone for their political beliefs. I understand why people are drawn to Trump; it’s easy to feel that he’s on your side, standing up against a system that’s failed so many of us. But when you take a step back and really look at the consequences of his policies—higher costs, less healthcare, growing inequality, and a society more divided than ever—it's important to ask: Is this the future we want?
I’m not suggesting we give up on our values or let go of our dreams for a better country. I’m simply asking that we recognize the ways in which some of these policies are hurting us all, including the very people Trump claims to represent.
Let’s not be blind to the cost of supporting policies that only seem to benefit a few. We all deserve better.
Not all change is good.
References
Economic Policy Institute. (2017). 100 ways Trump hurt workers in his first 100 days. Retrieved from https://www.epi.org/publication/100-days-100-ways-trump-hurt-workers/
PBS News. (2018). How Trump’s latest tariffs could affect your personal spending. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-trumps-latest-tariffs-could-affect-your-personal-spending
Center for American Progress. (2018). What will Trump’s tariffs do for U.S. consumers, workers, and businesses? Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/article/what-will-trumps-tariffs-do-for-u-s-consumers-workers-and-businesses/
Commonwealth Fund. (2016). Donald Trump’s health care reform proposals: Anticipated effects on insurance coverage, out-of-pocket costs, and the federal deficit. Retrieved from https://www.commonwealthfund.org/sites/default/files/documents/___media_files_publications_issue_brief_2016_sep_1903_saltzman_trump_hlt_care_reform_proposals_ib_v2.pdf
House Budget Committee Democrats. (2017). Trump’s big bill for billionaires steals from the poor to give to the ultra-rich. Retrieved from https://democrats-budget.house.gov/resources/fact-sheet/trumps-big-bill-billionaires-steals-poor-give-ultra-rich
American Bar Association. (2017). How Trump has impacted immigrants, religious minorities in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/publications/youraba/2017/september-2017/how-trump-has-impacted-immigrants--religious-minorities-in-workp/
CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. (2018). All the president’s profits. Retrieved from https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/12/all-the-presidents-profits-donald-trump