Thoughts on Winners, Losers, and Who Actually Profits in Donald Trump’s America
- Bryant Rogers
- Feb 22
- 16 min read
From the moment he stepped back into the White House, Donald Trump has set in motion a relentless campaign to divide America into “winners” and “losers” by using the same myths of scarcity and meritocracy that fueled the populist rhetoric in both of his campaigns. Trump has always thrived on selling people the idea that success is a zero-sum game, where every gain for one group means a loss for another. But while he tells his supporters they’re the rightful “winners” and that immigrants, minorities, and the “deep state” are stealing from them, the real winners of his presidency are billionaires, corporate elites, and Trump himself.
I’ve written a lot about Trump and populism, always trying to understand the actual people involved. But the recent actions, behaviors, and messages from his administration have been so blatantly self-serving that I can’t help but build a case against him as a direct threat to the social structures that hold our democracy together.
Trump's built a self-reinforcing system where his actions are always viewed as legitimate, no matter how unethical or unconstitutional they are. His supporters don’t hold him accountable by any reasonable standard because he’s rigged their entire perception of legitimacy; and in his world, loyalty determines morality. And while I'm usually the one trying to comfort my fiancé by imploring her to ignore Trump’s policies and actions, his latest moves are so obviously divisive that it’s hard to imagine a future government that works anything like a democracy anymore. It seems like he’s bent on moving us towards an authoritarian regime, and his followers either don't see it or don't care.
In a sweeping series of executive orders since taking office, his administration has reinforced exclusionary policies, undermined democratic norms, and enacted economic measures that will surely deepen inequality in this country at unprecedented levels. These actions don’t serve the working-class Americans he claims to champion; instead, they fortify the already rich and powerful while scapegoating the increasing vulnerable populations.
Take, for example, Trump’s ban on asylum seekers and his order to end birthright citizenship. These policies won’t improve life for working-class Americans. They won’t lower rent, bring back factory jobs, or make healthcare affordable. But they create the illusion that something is being done to protect struggling Americans from supposed “takers.”
The reinstatement of birthright citizenship restrictions is an unconstitutional move already blocked by the courts, but it also plays into the populist “us vs. them” narrative. By suggesting that some people born in the U.S. don’t truly “deserve” to be citizens, Trump reinforces the idea that nationality is something to be protected from outsiders rather than a legal right. This kind of rhetoric fuels xenophobia while distracting from policies that actually create economic inequality, like corporate tax breaks, deregulation, and stagnant wages. In reality, these policies do nothing but divide people along socially accredited racial, cultural, and national lines, keeping working-class Americans from uniting against the real forces of inequality: corporate monopolies, tax loopholes, and wage suppression.
Trump’s immigration crackdown, declaring a national emergency at the border, reviving the “Remain in Mexico” policy, banning asylum seekers, and suspending refugee admissions, all fits perfectly within the scarcity myth playbook. The scarcity myth convinces Trump’s base that they're in a zero-sum game, perpetuating a belief that every job, benefit, or opportunity given to someone else is stolen from them.
These actions push the idea that America’s resources are limited and that every undocumented immigrant represents a direct threat to the livelihood of citizens. The reality? There’s no “invasion” at the border, and economic studies consistently show that immigration boosts the economy rather than drains it. By framing social policies as handouts for the “undeserving” (migrants, refugees, welfare recipients, LGBTQ+ individuals), Trump supporters are led to continue to fight over crumbs instead of questioning why billionaires and corporations hoard most of the resources.
Trump’s order to pause all federal grants and loans, which has already been rescinded, but would have affected education, healthcare, housing assistance, and disaster relief, is a textbook example of how populists manipulate the meritocracy myth. By halting funds that help working-class and marginalized communities, the Trump administration signals to us all that only those who fit a narrow, ideological definition of “deserving” should receive government aid.
The people who suffer most, like the students, low-income families, and disaster-stricken communities, are those already struggling within an economic system that benefits the wealthy. Meanwhile, Trump’s tax and deregulation policies continue to favor the ultra-rich and corporations, proving that the real redistribution of resources isn’t going to immigrants or welfare recipients... it’s going upward.
This misguided blame-shifting diverts attention from the genuine roots of economic challenges, enabling elites to evade scrutiny and responsibility. Populist parties often love asserting that the working-class, "real" citizens are being exploited by corrupt elites and "undeserving" outsiders. This division is amplified by the myth of meritocracy. Meritocracy is a brilliant manipulation tool because it convinces people that if they fail, it’s their own fault.
Many working-class Trump supporters bought into the American Dream; the idea that if they worked hard, played by the rules, and stayed loyal to their country, they’d be rewarded. But decades of deindustrialization, automation, and corporate greed have left many of these workers behind. Instead of addressing these structural issues, Trump doubles down on meritocracy, telling his base that the reason they’re struggling isn’t because of corporate exploitation, but because of lazy elites, immigrants, and social justice warriors ruining the system.
This explains his attacks on DEI programs, federal grants, and gender policies. By eliminating these initiatives, Trump signals to his supporters: “If you’re struggling, it’s not because of the rich it’s because of those 'others' taking from you.” The cruel irony? Trump’s policies don’t help his working-class supporters, they hurt them.
Cutting federal programs, freezing government jobs, and dismantling DEI programs doesn’t bring back factory jobs or raise wages, it just removes safety nets that many of his own supporters rely on. But by framing these cuts as a win against liberal elites, he ensures his base sees harm as justice instead of realizing they are being played. By gutting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, Trump is directly targeting the people he’s framed as “undeserving.” These policies send a clear signal that some Americans count more than others. This territorialization of terms like “DEI” is a common propaganda tactic employed by populist leaders. They repeatedly rephrase terms to align with their accusations rather than their actual meanings, creating a disconnect in discourse where arguments become impossible because they’re discussing two entirely different concepts. The very notion that programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion are favoring certain students over others is precisely the opposite of what these programs aim to achieve.
The military orders, which reinstate troops dismissed for refusing COVID-19 vaccines while simultaneously banning transgender service members, follow the same populist pattern: prioritizing a specific in-group (conservative, anti-vaxx soldiers) while punishing perceived out-groups (trans soldiers). Similarly, Trump’s executive order to shrink the federal workforce and remove job protections ensures that thousands of government employees will be easier to fire, allowing him to purge civil servants who don’t align with his administration’s ideology. This is a blatant power grab, using the myth of government “bloat” to justify dismantling democracy from within.
One of the most striking examples of authoritarian populism is Trump’s mass pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters, including leaders of far-right groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. These weren’t just protesters; they led a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. By rewarding their actions with pardons, Trump is reinforcing the idea that violence in the name of his movement is justified. This move underscores how populist leaders redefine social accreditation by validating their supporters while stripping legitimacy from opponents. Those who fought against democracy are recast as patriots, while journalists, experts, and activists who criticize the administration are painted as enemies.
Trump’s executive orders may be swift and dramatic, but they’re not inevitable. They rely on people believing in the myths of scarcity and meritocracy. Many Trump supporters are working-class Americans who have legitimate frustrations. Wages have stagnated, jobs have disappeared, and the cost of living keeps rising while billionaires hoard more wealth than ever. But instead of addressing these real economic problems, Trump weaponizes scarcity and meritocracy myths to redirect anger away from those truly responsible and onto scapegoats: immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and government workers.
Trump’s playbook is the same one Voldemort and his Death Eaters use in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Just like Voldemort stokes fear, scapegoats entire groups (Muggle-borns, blood-traitors), and rewards blind loyalty to the dark lord while crushing opposition, Trump fuels division by deciding who counts as a “real American” and who’s the enemy. And just like how Voldemort takes over the Ministry of Magic in the wizarding world to rewrite the rules in his favor, Trump stacks courts, pardons insurrectionists, and rigs the system from within while claiming to fight it.
Populist leaders like Trump manipulate social accreditation processes to maintain absolute loyalty. He creates an “in-group” of the “real people.” These are working-class white Americans, religious conservatives, and nationalists who feel left behind. Trump elevates them, making them feel like the backbone of America. He then defines an “out-group” to blame. Immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ+ people, leftists, journalists, and global institutions like the UN and WHO. These groups are framed as corrupt, lazy, or actively working against “real Americans” as he rewrites morality to justify his authoritarianism.
When Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioters, he’s saying: “Political violence is okay if it’s for our cause.”
When he bans gender-affirming policies, he’s saying: “Protecting ‘traditional values’ matters more than citizen's rights.”
When he targets DEI programs, he’s saying: “Equality is an attack on you, not a shared goal for us all.”
By using social accreditation in this manner, Trump turns his supporters into enforcers of his ideology. Those who follow his lead and reject liberal policies, attack out-groups, and stay loyal, are socially rewarded with praise and validation. Meanwhile, his critics, whether they're journalists, Republicans who dare dissent, or everyday Americans questioning his actions are labeled traitors or losers and punished through social sanctions.
Trump’s manipulation works because it gives his base something more valuable than policy: identity. For many of his supporters, backing Trump is a core part of who they are. And once identity is tied to politics, facts just don’t matter as much as loyalty.
If Trump cuts a program that hurts them? They’ll defend it because supporting him feels like a victory over liberals. If he attacks democracy? They’ll justify it because he’s protecting their version of America. If his policies don’t deliver results? They’ll blame the courts, the media, or the “deep state”because accepting that he’s lying would mean admitting they were deceived.
Trump’s base aren't all stupid or evil, but they are victims of a deliberate, sophisticated manipulation strategy. Populist leaders thrive on this kind of validation and loyalty, and not just from their supporters but from powerful institutions. Trump’s ability to pressure corporations into financial settlements and business deals isn’t just about money, it’s about using social accreditation to legitimize himself while undermining institutions that challenge his authority.
When Meta and X paid millions to settle lawsuits over banning him, they effectively validated his claim that he was unfairly censored, despite the fact that these platforms originally deplatformed him for inciting an attack on democracy.
When Disney/ABC settled their defamation lawsuit for $15 million, it reinforced the idea that Trump is always the victim of media lies. Even when he was, in fact, found liable for sexual abuse.
By framing these settlements as reparations for elite wrongdoing rather than payoffs for evading justice, Trump legitimizes his personal gain as an integral part of the populist movement. This keeps his base angry and distrustful of institutions like the media, tech companies, and government agencies. But it doesn't stop Trump from making deals within these institutions, if anything it incentivizes more shady bribes and backroom bailouts.
When Amazon paid $40 million to secure a Melania Trump documentary, it sent a clear message: access to Trump requires financial tribute. Trump’s entire political persona is built on resentment toward elites and yet here he is, making deals with the same corporations he claims to fight against.
President Trump’s latest cabinet appointments exemplify this as they include several billionaires or other extremely wealthy individuals who've been given prominent positions in his administration. 'X' platform CEO, Elon Musk, will chair the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE.) Linda McMahon, former WWE executive, is appointed Secretary of Education; Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, is designated as Treasury Secretary; Howard Lutnick, who is the former chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Group is chosen for Secretary of Commerce; Georgia businesswoman Kelly Loeffler is to lead the Small Business Administration; and American entrepreneur and commercial astronaut, Jared Isaacman will head NASA.
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who served under President Bill Clinton and has been a vocal critic of the nation’s widening wealth and wage gaps for decades, expressed skepticism of these appointments, saying: “It’s hard to conceive how the wealthiest set of Cabinet nominees and White House appointments in history will understand what average working people are going through.”
Elon Musk, regarded as the world's richest man, with a net worth soaring above $400 billion, has been tapped to chair the newly minted DOGE. This department claims to have have a goal to “modernize Federal technology and software,” but critics and watchdogs alike are already barking about potential conflicts of interest, given Musk’s extensive ties to government contracts through his corporations like SpaceX and Tesla. This department has also been deploying young, unvetted staff into federal agencies, granting them access to sensitive databases, and national security experts are sounding alarms about potential espionage risks already in the government.
These corporations and wealthy leaders aren’t just handing over money to the President, they’re signaling their submission to Trump’s influence. And for his supporters, these deals and settlements are framed as proof that he’s right, the system is corrupt, and only he can “win” against it. The idea that only he can force them to bow to authority makes his supporters feel powerful by association, as if Trump’s victories over major corporations are their victories, too.
It’s a brilliant strategy. The same people who believe the “deep state” and “global elites” are rigging the system against them, celebrate when their leader profits from elite institutions. Because in their eyes, he isn’t corrupt, he’s beating the system on their behalf. His base is told that everyday Americans are being cheated out of wealth, jobs, and opportunities. And here he is, accumulating more money than ever. But instead of seeing this contradiction, his supporters view his success as proof that he’s winning on their behalf. Trump isn’t fighting elites; he’s forcing them into submission through lawsuits, backroom deals, and political intimidation. His base, believing in the myth that winners deserve their wealth, sees these deals as evidence of his superiority. This isn’t “draining the swamp.” It’s privatizing it.
And while his base cheers every victory, they see none of the rewards. Their wages don’t go up, their healthcare doesn’t improve, their cost of living keeps rising. But they stay loyal because Trump’s victories feel like their victories, even when he’s the only one cashing in. And as long as his base believes that his victories are their victories, he can keep selling the same scam over and over again. Populist leaders like Donald Trump thrive by convincing their supporters that someone else is taking what rightfully belongs to them. Immigrants, welfare recipients, minorities, and government workers are all painted as undeserving parasites draining America’s wealth, but the real parasite? Trump himself.
A recent House Oversight Committee report revealed that Trump’s businesses received at least $7.8 million from foreign governments while he was in office last time, including $5.5 million from China and hundreds of thousands from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This doesn’t even include the millions in taxpayer money spent at his properties by government agencies like the Defense Department, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security. These payments violated the U.S. Constitution’s foreign emoluments clause, which bars officials from profiting off foreign governments without congressional approval. But rather than facing accountability, Trump cashed in on his presidency while his supporters cheered him on..
In a functioning democracy, corruption is supposed to bring shame, accountability, and legal consequences. But Trump has hijacked the social accreditation process, redefining who gets punished and who gets rewarded in America.
If a Democrat takes foreign money? It’s treason.
If Trump takes foreign money? It’s a smart business move.
If a corporation sides with liberals? They’re corrupt globalists.
If a corporation pays off Trump? They’re just respecting a strong leader.
Scarcity is a powerful weapon, and Trump wields it masterfully. He convinces his supporters that our economic resources are limited and that their struggles are caused by immigrants, social programs, and global institutions. This keeps them distracted from the fact that he and his inner circle are the ones siphoning wealth from the public. He tells Americans their jobs are being stolen while taking millions from foreign governments. He claims public resources are being drained while funneling taxpayer money into his hotels, golf courses, and private businesses. He warns that elites are rigging the system while cutting secret deals with billionaires, tech giants, and foreign leaders. By keeping his supporters focused on fabricated enemies, Trump ensures they never turn their anger toward him the man actually profiting off their struggles.
Trump has also reinstated a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, citing the need to protect American industry from foreign competition (particularly from China, with Mexico and Canada also in the crosshairs.) His rationale? To strengthen domestic production and ensure American factories stay competitive. But who actually benefits from this decision, and who ends up paying the price?
American Steel and Aluminum Industry leaders like Nucor, Century Aluminum, and Lowell Iron & Steel are ecstatic about these tariffs. They argue that cheap foreign metal has been decimating their profits, and these tariffs will “level the playing field.” This could lead to increased domestic production and more investment in U.S. factories, which does sound promising. Unions, blue-collar workers (at least in the short term), and the Steel Manufacturers Association are also thrilled about these tariffs. They believe that they'll protect jobs in the U.S. If foreign steel becomes more expensive, domestic factories may hire more workers to ramp up production. This is a strong “America First” move that resonates with manufacturing-heavy states. Republican Lawmakers and “America First” Advocates are also all over this move, as evidenced by the numerous quotes circulating. They hail Trump as a master negotiator and proclaim that the “Golden Age” is here. However, the “Golden Age” they speak of may not be as idyllic as they seem.
Automakers, construction firms, and manufacturers that rely on steel and aluminum like Ford, GM, Boeing, and Tesla are among the hardest hit by these tariffs. Their costs will increase, and these higher costs are inevitably passed on to consumers. This also impacts construction companies, which means higher housing prices, more expensive appliances, and ironically, pricier infrastructure projects funded by the government. Consumers, including you and me, will likely face higher costs for cars, home goods, canned food, and beer (among other aluminium packaged products.) Trump is betting that these tariffs will boost domestic steel and aluminum jobs without tanking the economy. The problem? History suggests that tariffs tend to backfire, leading to higher prices, retaliation from trade partners, and unintended job losses in steel-consuming industries.
During the 2018 tariffs, Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of construction equipment, bumped up prices to make up for more than $100 million in extra costs, blaming Trump’s metal tariffs. The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimated that each steel job saved cost American taxpayers over $900,000 in higher prices. Steel prices in the U.S. spiked, making it more expensive for manufacturers. The U.S. and China escalated their trade war, resulting in retaliatory tariffs that harmed American farmers, particularly soybean farmers.
So, will this round of tariffs yield different results? The new tariffs close loopholes that let steel and aluminum slip through from Mexico and Canada. So, their exports to the U.S. are about to take a hit. China, which was already hit hard by previous tariffs, will now have to find even sneakier ways to get steel into the U.S. (Spoiler alert: they will.)
Another reason Trump’s corruption doesn’t bother his base? The myth of meritocracy. In their eyes: Trump is a “self-made billionaire,” so of course he deserves the wealth he accumulates. If he’s outsmarting the government and elites, that just proves he’s winning. Anyone accusing him of corruption must be jealous, bitter, or part of the deep state.
This is why scandals don’t ever stick to Trump, because his base doesn't see his financial gains as theft, but as proof that he’s powerful enough to manipulate the elites who usually manipulate everyone else. Every dollar Trump’s businesses took from foreign governments and American taxpayers could have gone toward: Infrastructure improvements, Education and student debt relief, Veterans’ healthcare, and Social security and safety nets for the American people.
Instead, it lined the pockets of a billionaire who used the presidency as a personal business opportunity. And the worst part? His base still believes he’s fighting for them. Trump’s movement is a grift masquerading as a revolution. His supporters are sold a dream of fighting back against corruption and reclaiming power, but in reality, they're foot soldiers in a scam designed to enrich one man and his family. And as long as they keep believing in the scarcity myth, the meritocracy myth, and the illusion of populist loyalty, Trump will keep getting richer while they get nothing.
Wayne Barrett was a pioneering investigative journalist who spent decades exposing Donald Trump’s shady business dealings, corruption, and political maneuvering long before Trump entered politics. Barrett’s 1992 book, "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall," and his extensive reporting for The Village Voice, documented Trump’s ties to organized crime, tax evasion schemes, fraudulent real estate projects, and his manipulative relationship with New York’s political elite. He revealed how Trump used political connections to secure public subsidies, inflated his wealth to appear more successful, and avoided accountability through legal threats and media manipulation, many of the same tactics we still see today.
Barrett's investigations exposed:
Trump’s Mob Ties: He worked with organized crime figures to cut corners in real estate deals.
Government Subsidies: He branded himself as a free-market capitalist while secretly relying on massive tax breaks, government loans, and political favors.
Media Manipulation: He inflated his net worth, attacked journalists who questioned him, and used lawsuits to silence critics.
Scapegoating and Populist Messaging: Even back then, Trump blamed “elites” for his business troubles while simultaneously making deals with those very elites behind closed doors.
Now, as president, Trump is running the same con, but on a much larger scale. His executive orders, corporate payoffs, and authoritarian tactics are the natural evolution of the schemes Barrett exposed decades ago. Pardoning Jan. 6 rioters? Just like his past dealings with mobsters, he's rewarding loyal foot soldiers while attacking the rule of law. Cutting secret deals with Amazon, Meta, and Disney? The same strategy he used in New York, using lawsuits and influence to extract wealth from the very elites he claims to fight. Gutting federal agencies and filling them with loyalists? A national-scale version of how he stacked New York’s zoning boards and tax authorities with allies to greenlight his corrupt deals.
Trump’s lasting popularity is about perception. He understands that people don’t need to see actual success; they just need to believe in the illusion of it. Wayne Barrett warned years ago that Trump’s genius wasn’t in business, it was actually in selling a narrative. That same narrative fuels his presidency today:
He’s the “outsider” fighting the system (even though he’s profited from it his entire life).
He’s the “self-made billionaire” (despite inheriting wealth, dodging taxes, and relying on government bailouts).
He’s the only one who can “fix America” (by using the same scams that broke it in the first place).
Trump’s presidency is about cementing power through manipulation, division, and corporate corruption. His administration has weaponized myths of scarcity and meritocracy to ensure that his base stays loyal, believing they're fighting a war against elites, immigrants, and social programs, when in reality, they're only enriching Trump, his billionaire allies, and the corporate class. His executive orders aren't policies designed to improve the lives of everyday Americans. They're power plays, designed to expand the privileges of the wealthy while distracting his supporters with false enemies.
If you’re a working-class American who supports Trump, I get it. You feel betrayed by the system. You were told that if you worked hard and stayed loyal, you’d be rewarded; but instead, you’ve watched wages stagnate, jobs disappear, and billionaires hoard more wealth than ever. You’re angry, and you have every right to be.
But ask yourself: Who is really taking from you?
Trump’s entire political success relies on you believing in myths that keep you divided while he profits. But you don’t have to buy into the con anymore.
Reject the scarcity myth: there’s more than enough for everyone, but billionaires don’t want to share it.
Reject the meritocracy myth: the game is rigged at the top, and working harder won’t fix it unless we demand real change.
Hold leaders accountable: understand that right and wrong don't correlate to us vs them. if corruption is wrong, it’s wrong no matter who does it.
And remember that Trump isn’t fighting for you, he’s fighting to stay in power at your expense. The sooner more people recognize that, the harder it becomes for him to keep the con going. It’s time to stop playing by his rules.
Comments