Republican officials are promoting their newly enacted tax and spending legislation as a significant win for working Americans, but a recent survey indicates that a large portion of the public perceives it more as a benefit for the wealthy.
According to a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about two-thirds of U.S. adults anticipate that the new tax law will primarily favor the rich.
Additionally, approximately 60% believe it will do more harm than good for low-income individuals, while about half feel it negatively impacts the middle class and people similar to them.
In response to the legislation, Republicans have initiated advertising campaigns that frame the new law as a tax cut for all Americans, showcasing new deductions related to tips and overtime earnings.
However, Democratic lawmakers are arguing that the wealthiest Americans will reap the most benefits, pointing to substantial cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs as evidence.
The recent poll results suggest that Republicans still have significant work ahead in persuading the public.
Additionally, the high financial implications of the legislation appear to be alienating some constituents.
Approval ratings for President Donald Trump’s handling of government spending have declined since the spring, with nearly 60% of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, expressing concerns about excessive government expenditure.
Most Americans are at least somewhat aware of the new law, as a large portion of the populace—approximately two-thirds—has reported having heard or read “a lot” or “some” information about it.
Among those well-informed about the legislation, the inclination to believe it favors the wealthy is substantially higher compared to those who have heard “only a little” or “nothing at all.”
Anaiah Barrow, a 25-year-old single mother living in North Carolina and without a party affiliation, expressed concern about the potential adverse effects of the new law on caregivers like herself.
Barrow, who manages her work while caring for two young children and pursuing a college degree, fears losing access to essential services like day care and food stamps.
“It has a really big effect,” she remarked regarding the new legislation, which she learned about primarily through TikTok.
“It may not seem significant now, but in the long run, it’s going to have that effect—it’s going to hit bad.”
Many Republicans also acknowledge that the wealthy are likely to gain from the tax and spending law.
Approximately half contend that the law will benefit the wealthy more significantly, while a comparable proportion believes it will have a similar effect on the middle class.
Conversely, around 40% of Republicans think the law will do more to help low-income individuals than it will hurt them.
Lori Nichols, a 51-year-old caregiver for her elderly mother residing in Illinois, noted that the legislation provides “very little for older people and those who are on disability.”
Despite identifying as a Republican, Nichols did not vote in the 2024 presidential election and had previously supported Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.
“With regard to the tax aspect, it seems like (Trump’s) just making the rich richer,” Nichols stated.
While there is widespread skepticism about the new law, Republicans are generally less inclined to believe they will be adversely affected.
Although many Democrats and independents predict that the legislation could harm them personally, half of Republicans think it will benefit “people like you,” compared to roughly 20% of independents and a mere 6% of Democrats.
Nathan Hay, a shift service manager at an international truck repair dealership, suggests that lower-income individuals might see a slight increase in taxes but still supports the bill.
“Personally, it’s not helping me a ton,” Hay commented, adding that he believes it will assist small businesses that have played a significant role in his life.
Geraldine Putnam, an 87-year-old Trump supporter from the rural South, expressed concerns about the likelihood of paying more taxes under the new law.
She acknowledged the importance of opportunities for wealth accumulation, which she sees as integral to the American dream.
Yet, she remains apprehensive about the potentially negative financial impacts on herself.
Trump’s approval ratings regarding government spending might be influencing public sentiment surrounding the new law, as fewer Americans now approve of his handling of government expenditures.
Currently, only 38% of the populace supports Trump’s approach to government spending.
This figure has decreased from 46% in an AP-NORC poll conducted in March.
While Republicans are less inclined to label government spending as “too much” than they were under Biden’s presidency in March 2023, around 60% of them still share that sentiment.
A similar proportion of Democrats conveys the same concern regarding government spending levels.
Illustrating her viewpoint, Putnam criticized Trump’s cuts to federal workers while endorsing the idea of cutting inefficient positions.
She raised questions about the rationale behind targeting individuals monitoring social service fraud while simultaneously eliminating personnel from those offices.
“What’s the sense in that?” she asked.
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