FAFO-nomics: How Trump’s Policies Have Betrayed His Supporters and What They Must Do to Reclaim Their Future
Should those with more discernment laugh and say, “We told you so?” Donald Trump’s return to power has us all nervous. Not surprising to some, many of his supporters are beginning to realize the grim realities of casting their votes against their own interests. Their racism and sexism blinded them, and even many white women and black men voted for Trump. The mantra “Make America Great Again” resonated deeply with millions, particularly among low-income and working-class voters. Trump likely means “Make America Gulf Again,” a mantra to his rich friends. But who knows! The promises of economic revival and prosperity seem more like a smokescreen for initiatives that will disproportionately harm the very people who placed their trust in him.
The Harsh Truths of Trump’s Policies
Healthcare: The ObamaCare vs. Affordable Care Act Debacle
One of the most glaring examples of ignorance exploited by Trump’s rhetoric was the demonization of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under the moniker “ObamaCare.” Many voters didn’t realize that the ACA and “ObamaCare” are the same. Time and again, we’ve seen Trump supporters express gratitude for the ACA while vehemently opposing “ObamaCare,” unaware that repealing the latter would mean losing their lifeline to healthcare. See the video at the end, which still holds today.
This ignorance is not their fault alone—it’s the result of a systematic failure to educate and inform the public, a topic I discuss on this blog and in my book. But the consequences are now theirs to bear as Trump’s policies aim to cut healthcare funding and eliminate social safety nets.
Medicare, Social Security, and Retirement
Trump’s proposed budget cuts and policies like increasing the retirement age will devastate millions who depend on Medicare and Social Security. These measures, aimed at cutting federal spending, are designed to funnel more wealth to the rich through tax cuts while stripping essential benefits from the working class.
Labor Shortages and Deportations
Trump’s aggressive deportation plans, particularly targeting undocumented immigrants, will have devastating consequences on the economy. Agriculture, construction, hospitality, and other labor-intensive industries heavily rely on undocumented workers to function. A dairy farmer recently pointed out that food shortages would be evident within two days of mass deportations. These shortages would drive up prices, disproportionately affecting low-income families—many of whom supported Trump.
The irony? These industries, including small businesses, are often owned or run by people who voted for Trump, expecting him to champion their interests. Instead, they face potential ruin as labor shortages force closures and price hikes.
Tariffs and Rising Prices
Trump’s love for tariffs, particularly against China, Canada, and Mexico, will exacerbate ordinary Americans’ financial struggles. Tariffs act as taxes on imported goods, raising the prices of food, building materials, and everyday necessities.
For example, much of the food on American shelves is imported. Tariffs will make these products more expensive, pushing already high grocery bills even higher. The same goes for building materials, meaning that housing prices—already unaffordable for many—will skyrocket further.
And let’s not forget retaliatory tariffs from other countries. American exporters, especially farmers, will lose access to key international markets, further devastating rural communities.
Elon Musk and Cutting Government Spending
The appointment of Elon Musk to oversee government spending adds another layer of betrayal. Musk, one of the richest men in the world, has publicly expressed disdain for Trump’s MAGA base, calling them “idiots.” Yet, he’s now in a position to gut programs that benefit people experiencing poverty, including SNAPP (food stamps), education funding, and housing assistance.
FAFO-nomics: The Economics We Face With Trump is “Fuck Around and Find Out”
The phrase FAFO has devolved into a darkly comical way to describe the consequences of poor decision-making. For many Trump supporters, the realization that they’ve been duped is dawning too late. However, it’s not too late to change course and take steps to protect themselves and their families. Besides, America must survive the mistakes we make every day!
What Can Trump Supporters and Non-supporters Do to Save Themselves?
- Educate Yourself: Ignorance is a tool of the powerful. Low-income voters must seek alternative sources of information beyond mainstream media (news and social media), which are often controlled and owned by the same corporations that benefit from their struggles. That means looking beyond Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, Thread, TicTok (which Trump is horse-trading to sell to one of the big tech companies)
- Read widely: Explore diverse perspectives, including independent outlets similar to this blog and international news outlets.
- Understand policy impacts: Learn how policies affect your daily life, not just what politicians claim they will do. That means spending time to educate yourself rather than be numbed by entertainment alone.
- Vote with Knowledge: If you still believe in Trump or conservative policies, that’s your funeral. But educate yourself about what those policies mean for you. Research candidates and their platforms thoroughly before voting. When he says something, go research what it means until you understand it. Everything can be broken down simply if you only search.
- Organize Locally: Form local groups to advocate for your community’s needs. This could mean lobbying for better healthcare, pushing back against harmful policies, or supporting candidates who genuinely represent your interests. Yeah, you actually have to put in a bit more work to survive.
- Diversify Skills and Income: Prepare for the economic fallout by diversifying your skillset and seeking multiple income streams. Don’t pass up any opportunity to learn a new skill. Industries reliant on undocumented workers or global trade are at risk—prepare for instability by building a safety net. You may lose your job, but extra skills may allow you to pivot to something new to make a living.
- Advocate for Fair Policies: Push for policies that support the working class, such as:
- Universal healthcare, whether they call it the Affordable Care Act or ObamaCare (don’t be a racist idiot and hate it because it has the name “Obama” attached to it!)
- Affordable housing initiatives
- Labor protections – There will be even more union busting during this time and more efforts to kill unions.
- Access to education and vocational training. Learn a new skill. Anything that requires labor more than a machine, robot, or artificial intelligence (AI) can provide.
- Engage in Civic Education: Educate your community about the importance of understanding policies, voting, and holding politicians accountable.
- Hold Politicians Accountable: Whether you voted for Trump or not, demand transparency and accountability from your elected officials. Challenge them to explain how their policies will benefit you and your community. This includes all politicians, both Dems and GOP.
Conclusion: Hope Beyond Betrayal
It’s easy to feel disillusioned after realizing you’ve been betrayed by someone you trusted. But despair won’t change your circumstances. As the saying goes, “There may be Faries and there may be Elves, But God helps those who help themselves.” The path forward requires education, action, and resilience.
If Trump’s policies teach us anything, it’s that ignorance is costly. By taking proactive steps to educate and empower themselves, low-income voters can reclaim their voices and work towards a future that serves their interests—not the interests of WASP billionaires and corporations.
Get Into Action
It’s not too late to make a change. Start by educating yourself and your community. Share this article with friends and family to spark conversations about how we can build a more informed and empowered society. Save yourselves!
