Chapter 10: A Primer on Trump Economics: Populist or Something Else?

November 8, 2016, was one of the most shocking days in American political history. On this date, Donald John Trump won the national election for president of the United States. President Trump had never won political office; he had never served in the military; he was not a lawyer; and to many, he was an unpleasant self-promoter. He espoused racism and sexism, as well as the dismantling of several long-standing national policies. Trump’s opponent was Hillary Rodham Clinton, a lawyer and experienced politician, who had served as U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Senator from New York, and First Lady.

The Trump campaign’s ultimate electoral success was in no small measure due to its understanding of populist discontent in America. With the help of a cadre of true believers, Donald Trump rode that wave into the White House, promising (in part) to address the economic conditions that fomented middle class and working poor angst. This chapter focuses on President Trump’s populist response to his supporters’ anger and fear, most particularly, as an economic populist. It will examine several of his key policy positions and their economic consequences. The underlying idea and likely consequences of those policies provide fodder for potential changes in how we help young people understand their economic world and their decision making in it.