Donald Trump was recently elected president again, the news stirred strong emotions across America and beyond, the America’s poor remain hesitant of the future.
For those living in poverty, especially in the U.S., this shift in leadership brings unique concerns.
Having already served a term from 2016 to 2020, many know what to expect from his administration, but there are still questions on how his policies will impact the vulnerable.
Will Trump’s new term repeat the same strategies, or will he try something new to address the struggles of the poor in America and worldwide?
Reflecting on Trump’s First Term – A Mixed Bag for Low-Income Americans
During his first term, Trump made headlines for economic growth, but for people in poverty, these benefits felt uneven.
The statistics showed improvement at first glance: income rose across the board, unemployment dropped, and even the poverty rate fell to historic lows in 2019, reaching 10.5%.
These were real victories, but many argue that they did not tell the whole story.
For one, much of this growth was concentrated in sectors that did not necessarily create jobs for the poorest Americans.
The booming stock market and tax cuts benefited wealthy Americans and big businesses most, while social welfare programs, like food assistance (SNAP) and affordable housing funding, were cut.
Trump’s administration imposed tighter work requirements on these programs, making it harder for those already struggling to access support without stable jobs.
This approach left many low-income Americans feeling unsupported and questioning how they would survive without basic aid.
One of Trump’s flagship poverty programs, the Reducing Poverty in America by Promoting Opportunity and Economic Mobility initiative, called for changes in welfare regulations.
Its main focus was to push people back into the workforce.
For those who were able to find work, this approach offered a lifeline, but for those unable to work due to health issues, lack of childcare, or a scarcity of jobs in their area, it created greater hardship.
This left many low-income Americans voicing a common concern: “Are we seen, or are we just statistics?”
Biden’s Term – A Different Approach
When Biden took office, his focus on social support came as a relief for many struggling Americans.
His administration expanded assistance during the COVID-19 crisis, rolling out relief payments, extending unemployment benefits, and introducing a temporary expansion of the Child Tax Credit.
For many low-income families, this was a lifeline that helped them meet basic needs.
By 2021, child poverty rates hit record lows as these programs reached families across the country.
However, Biden’s policies were not without challenges.
Once the temporary relief measures expired, many fell back into poverty, and critics argued that relying on emergency funding was not a long-term solution.
Biden’s administration aimed to expand healthcare through reforms to the Affordable Care Act and proposed an increase in the minimum wage, yet only some of these plans saw fruition.
As some benefits faded, poverty rates began to creep back up, showing the challenges of sustaining such programs amid political and economic pressures.
A Second Chance for Trump: Will Anything Change for the Poor?
With Trump back in office, the focus returns to his views on work requirements, tax policy, and social welfare.
Trump’s policies lean toward reducing welfare programs and giving states more control over social services, an approach that might mean stricter requirements and cuts to funding.
For example, Trump is likely to push once more for work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance, which he argues encourages self-sufficiency.
This approach, however, has not been widely embraced by low-income communities.
Many of America’s poorest residents feel that these policies lack compassion for those who are unable to work consistently due to disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or a lack of job opportunities.
Trump’s plans to lower corporate taxes, which he believes will drive job creation, may have some effect on overall employment rates.
But critics note that such tax cuts primarily benefit the wealthy and may not do much to reduce poverty.
The trickle-down approach assumes that benefits will reach low-income communities through job creation, but there’s no guarantee.
Many are left wondering – will there be any direct support for those struggling day-to-day, or will they be left to wait for broader economic changes to eventually reach them?
Looking Beyond America: How the Poor Worldwide May Be Affected
America’s policies have global impacts, and Trump’s return could change how the U.S. approaches aid and support abroad.
During his first term, Trump cut back on foreign aid, preferring to focus resources domestically.
For countries dependent on U.S. support, especially in areas like food security, healthcare, and economic development, this was a heavy blow.
Biden’s administration had restored much of this aid, but with Trump back, there may be renewed cuts.
Poor communities globally may feel the strain if these cuts resume.
Trump’s “America First” policy signals that foreign aid may not be prioritised, which could worsen poverty in developing countries that depend on it.
Advocates for international aid worry that without this support, efforts to combat global poverty, promote education, and provide health services may stall, especially in the wake of the economic setbacks caused by COVID-19.
The Perspective of America’s Poor – A Call for Real Solutions
For many poor Americans, Trump’s policies feel like an extension of the same old story, help for the wealthy and corporations, cuts to essential services, and an uncertain future.
Trump’s re-election forces America to confront the reality that poverty is not simply a lack of income; it is often tied to structural barriers that do not disappear with tax cuts or GDP growth.
People living in poverty seek policies that address the real issues—affordable healthcare, housing, childcare, and fair wages.
For them, the question is not just about job creation but whether those jobs pay enough to live with dignity.
What Will It Take to Truly Support America’s Poor?
As Trump embarks on his second term, America’s Poor and the poor across the world -wait, watch, and hope for change that goes beyond numbers on a page.
While job growth and economic success are important, low-income communities are calling for policies that meet them where they are—solutions that acknowledge their daily struggles, offer real support and respect their voices.
If America wants to tackle poverty effectively, it will require leaders to listen to these voices, recognise the barriers that keep people trapped in poverty, and design programs that empower them to build better lives.
For now, as the new administration begins, America’s poor are left to wonder – if this time will be different, or if they will continue to bear the burden of policies that leave them on the margins?