Donald Trump’s Return: Economic Visions, Lingering Impacts, and Controversial Projects
“Trump’s Economic Agenda, Polarizing Policies, and Vision for a Reshaped America: A Deep Dive into His Second Term Ambitions”
By Saquan Simpson, November 6, 2024
On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, America elected Donald Trump for a second term as president. His victory, celebrated by many of his supporters, also sparked intense divisive rhetoric across social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter). While his return has galvanized his base, it has also intensified political polarization. As Trump assumes office for the second time, his administration’s impact on the nation’s political, economic, and social landscape continues to reverberate.
Economic Concerns and Trump’s Vision for America
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, voters expressed significant concern over economic issues, particularly inflation, housing affordability, and job security. As millions struggle with the rising cost of living, both major parties presented contrasting visions for economic stability. Democrats focused on expanding worker protections and social safety nets, while Republicans, under Trump’s leadership, emphasized tax cuts, deregulation, and growth-driven economic policies.
Central to Trump’s economic agenda were sweeping tax cuts, tariffs, and deregulation. He advocated for reducing taxes on Social Security benefits to ensure retirees retain more of their income, without affecting their benefits. Trump also proposed making the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, lowering corporate taxes to 15%, and providing tax cuts across all income brackets. The former president believed that such measures would spur economic growth and ease financial burdens for American households.
Trade tariffs were another focal point. Trump proposed imposing tariffs between 10% and 20% on foreign goods and up to 60% on Chinese imports, with the goal of reducing trade imbalances and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. While these measures were touted to protect American industries, critics, including economists, warned that the tariffs could raise costs for consumers by $2,000 to $4,000 annually.
Further, Trump’s administration sought to decrease U.S. reliance on Chinese trade, proposing to ban investments in Chinese companies and reduce imports from China. This economic nationalism underscored his broader belief in prioritizing domestic industries over international trade agreements.
The Lingering Effects of Trump’s First Term
Trump’s policies continue to leave a lasting imprint on American society. His environmental policies, notably the rollback of emissions standards and fuel efficiency mandates, have had significant long-term consequences. His decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017 was a major setback in the global fight against climate change, and although the U.S. rejoined under President Biden, global momentum toward environmental reform remains slow. The rollback of regulations contributed to increased pollution, exacerbating health and environmental challenges.
In healthcare, Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and reduce Medicaid expansion left many vulnerable Americans in precarious situations, especially in low-income and rural communities. These cuts led to increased premiums and reduced access to healthcare, which has left gaps in coverage that persist to this day.
Trump’s immigration policies, including the controversial “zero tolerance” approach, led to the separation of thousands of families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Though this policy was ended, its lasting trauma persists, with the process of family reunification still ongoing. Moreover, stricter visa and immigration policies created labor shortages, especially in agriculture and construction, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These disruptions continue to affect the workforce.
Trump’s trade wars, particularly with China, had mixed effects. While industries like steel saw short-term gains, agriculture and other sectors faced retaliatory tariffs that hurt exports and destabilized global trade relationships.
Socially, Trump’s rhetoric on race and policing heightened divisions in the U.S. His stance on racial justice and law enforcement has deeply influenced discussions on racial equity and justice reform.
Trump’s Project 25 and Project 47: Policy Shifts with Lasting Impact
Trump’s political team has unveiled ambitious plans for his second term, including initiatives like Project 25 and Project 47. These initiatives aim to reshape the federal government’s structure and operations in ways that promise both efficiency and controversy.
Project 25 focuses on restructuring federal agencies by replacing senior career civil servants with political appointees who align with Trump’s policy goals. The aim is to streamline operations, reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, and ensure that loyalists can implement the administration’s agenda more effectively.
Project 47 expands on these reforms, proposing broad regulatory changes across various sectors. Trump has argued that these changes are necessary to dismantle what he views as excessive federal oversight, especially in areas such as environmental regulation, healthcare, and finance. The initiative seeks to reduce government intervention, encouraging a more deregulated, market-driven economy.
These proposals have raised concerns about the erosion of checks and balances in U.S. governance. Critics argue that centralizing control could empower the presidency at the expense of democratic processes, leading to fears of diminished accountability.
A Comparative Look: Trump’s Projects and Authoritarianism
When comparing Trump’s Project 25 and Project 47 to historical examples of authoritarian regimes, it is essential to recognize key distinctions. While both projects aim to centralize control over government operations, they operate within the U.S. constitutional framework, which includes an independent judiciary and regular elections. Trump’s projects do not propose dismantling democratic safeguards or creating a totalitarian state, as seen in regimes such as Nazi Germany.
Though these proposals raise concerns about increasing loyalty within government institutions and reducing regulatory oversight, they stop short of the extreme, militarized oppression that characterized fascist regimes. The U.S. retains democratic institutions, free press, and the rule of law, all of which provide important safeguards against authoritarianism.
The Border Crisis and Water Control: A National Dilemma
As political shifts occur, the U.S. faces significant challenges related to immigration and environmental concerns. While migrant encounters at the southern border have dominated debates, the complexities of border management, legal issues, and humanitarian concerns make the situation more nuanced than often portrayed. Federal and local authorities are working to balance resources and address these challenges.
In addition, water scarcity has become an increasingly critical issue in states like California and Arizona. Trump’s environmental deregulation policies have been criticized for undermining efforts to address these challenges. As the nation faces the dual threats of climate change and resource depletion, the need for sustainable water management remains a pressing issue for future administrations.
The State of Women’s Reproductive Rights: Fear, Barriers, and the Pursuit of Care
The erosion of reproductive rights in the U.S. has intensified following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Many states have enacted stricter abortion laws, creating a patchwork system of access that has led to significant barriers for women seeking care. Doctors, fearful of legal consequences, have been hesitant to provide necessary services, particularly in states with aggressive abortion bans.
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This fear has created a climate of uncertainty, forcing many women to travel to states where abortion remains legal, adding financial and logistical burdens, particularly for low-income and rural women. Additionally, women facing medical conditions that require abortion services have encountered delays in care due to legal complications.
The situation has prompted calls for federal protections for reproductive rights, with advocates pushing for the reinstatement of Roe v. Wade protections. These debates highlight the tension between state-level legislation and the need for a nationwide solution to safeguard women’s reproductive healthcare.
Trump’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
The effects of Trump’s first administration, coupled with his ambitious plans for the future, will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the United States. From economic shifts to immigration and environmental concerns, his policies continue to stir debate and shape national discourse. As the country faces unprecedented challenges, from record migrant numbers to environmental instability, the true test will be whether the nation can balance these complex issues with a commitment to democratic values and the rule of law. As Trump’s second term begins, the road ahead promises to be as tumultuous as ever, with significant implications for America’s future.
The Economic Contributions of Undocumented Immigrants
Undocumented immigrants play an essential role in the U.S. economy, making significant contributions through taxes, labor, and spending, yet they often remain excluded from many of the benefits that U.S. citizens and legal residents enjoy.
In terms of taxes, undocumented immigrants contribute billions to state and local economies. In 2020, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) estimated that they paid approximately $11.7 billion in state and local sales taxes. Though many undocumented immigrants do not file tax returns, they still contribute through payroll withholding by using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) or sometimes false Social Security numbers.
According to a 2017 Pew Research Center study, they paid an estimated $12 billion in federal income taxes. Additionally, many undocumented immigrants contribute indirectly to property taxes as renters. A 2017 ITEP estimate found that undocumented renters contributed about $3 billion to local property taxes.
Undocumented immigrants also play a crucial role in the housing market. In 2018, the Migration Policy Institute reported that around 8% of U.S. renters were undocumented, helping sustain the real estate economy through rent payments, which in turn contribute to property taxes. While homeownership remains a challenge due to limited access, some states allow undocumented immigrants to purchase property, further contributing to the mortgage and real estate sectors.
Their labor is indispensable in various industries, including agriculture, construction, and food services, which are vital to the U.S. economy. In fact, a 2020 report from the Center for Migration Studies estimated that undocumented immigrants contribute around $2 trillion in economic output annually. They help keep costs down in industries like agriculture and construction, especially in states like California, Texas, and Florida.
Although undocumented immigrants are ineligible to receive Social Security benefits, they still contribute to the system. Through payroll taxes (FICA), they contributed an estimated $13 billion to Social Security in 2016. However, without a valid Social Security number, they cannot claim any benefits from these contributions unless they later gain legal status.
The economic impact of undocumented immigrants varies by state. In California, which has the largest population of undocumented immigrants, this group contributes an estimated $3.2 billion annually through taxes. Texas, another state with a significant undocumented immigrant population, sees about $1.6 billion in annual contributions to state and local taxes.
Through their contributions across various sectors, undocumented immigrants help sustain the U.S. economy, yet they face significant challenges due to their exclusion from many benefits, including Social Security.
Can Undocumented Immigrants Collect Social Security?
Despite contributing to Social Security, undocumented immigrants cannot access benefits unless they obtain legal status. Social Security eligibility requires a valid Social Security number, which most undocumented immigrants do not have. Even those who use false numbers are ineligible to collect benefits. However, if an undocumented immigrant later gains legal status, their prior contributions may count toward their eligibility for benefits, though they must still meet other requirements, such as work credits.
The American public has made its priorities clear, with the economy taking center stage in recent political discourse. However, it’s apparent that issues such as women’s rights and racial equality have not garnered the same level of attention or action. In a political climate where individuals can openly make inflammatory or misleading statements without significant consequence, and even face criminal conviction yet still retain the opportunity to hold the highest office, one can’t help but question the state of our democracy.
In this system, people have at times voted against their own long-term interests, drawn by promises that may not be realized, especially in rural communities. We have seen that, in certain cases, loyalty to individuals or ideologies has outweighed the pursuit of truth and justice.
This is a reflection of the complexities of democracy—where the will of the people is expressed, but not always in ways that lead to progress for all. And while it may be uncomfortable to acknowledge, the reality is that this is where we are, and we must reflect on how we move forward as a society.
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Photos By Saquan Stimpson, David Muse and Carlin Harris.