So Much for Pro-Worker Conservatism

Trump is planning a presidency of, by, and for the rich.

Illustration by Trevor Davis.


After a demoralizing election loss, the Democratic Party is deep in the throes of debate and finger-pointing as it figures out what it actually wants to be in the years ahead: a party of working Americans, or one of CEOs and billionaires. Donald Trump’s side, meanwhile, has already made up its mind: it’s going with the CEOs and billionaires. Everything we’re learning about the incoming administration’s plans makes very clear that this is going to be a government of, by, and for big business.

Trump’s advisers have told Axios that, on day one, the incoming president is going to push “a business-friendly agenda of tax cuts, deregulation and expanded energy production” and “will fill his top ranks with billionaires, former CEOs, tech leaders and loyalists.” Reportedly in the works are plans to slash corporate tax rates further; deregulate a variety of industries like crypto, artificial intelligence, and big banks; and push out anti-monopoly Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan to make way for more corporate consolidation.

This is hardly surprising, since Trump has already handed the reins of his presidency over to the corporate elite. Trump’s transition is being led by two millionaire donors to his campaign: Linda McMahon, who as former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO racked up a long record of screwing over workers, and trading firm Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, who financially cut off the families of his employees killed in the September 11 attacks just one day after crying on national television over their deaths. Trump’s future chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is a corporate lobbyist who has worked for tobacco, insurance, and coal companies. Trump wound up picking Lutnick to be his commerce secretary and turned to another hedge fund billionaire, Scott Bessent, for treasury secretary.

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