MAGA's blue-collar base waits patiently for populist payoff

President Trump's second term has benefited the wealthy, contradicting his promise to help the working class. Despite this, his blue-collar base remains loyal, energized by his hardline positions on immigration, trade, and culture. However, the financial rewards of Trump's tenure are flowing upward to wealthy donors, family members, insiders, and the president himself. Trump's inner circle has profited from the presidency, dulling public outrage and scrutiny. The president's sons are spearheading a family crypto venture that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars. Trump's relationship with donors is also questionable, with his Cabinet being the wealthiest in American history. Trump has granted pardons or clemency to white-collar criminals and wealthy tax cheats who have donated to him or raised money on his behalf. Despite this, Trump officials argue that his agenda will benefit working-class Americans, citing cooling inflation and the re-shoring of manufacturing. However, independent analyses project that the wealthiest Americans would benefit most from Trump's "One, Big, Beautiful Bill", which would also leave millions uninsured and force people off food stamps. Inside the MAGA movement, there is little concern about who is getting rich as long as Trump keeps fighting the culture wars and standing up for what he said he was going to do.