Event Planners: Why Some Trump Voters are Skeptical of His Opening Moves to Embrace Fellow Billionaires

Here's the edited blog post:Event Planners: Why Some Trump Voters are Skeptical of His Opening Moves to Embrace Fellow BillionairesAs President Donald Trump settles into his new role, some of his supporters are voicing concerns about his decision to surround himself with fellow billionaires. The presence of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos at his inauguration was a major red flag for many middle-class Americans who felt betrayed by Trump's lack of emphasis on housing costs or consumer interests during his campaign.Trump insists that his overall agenda will help working- and middle-class Americans, but some voters are skeptical about the billionaire president's motives. According to AP VoteCast, voters whose total household income was under $50,000 were split between Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, while Trump won more than half of voters whose total household income was between $50,000 and $99,999.The median annual household income in the US is about $81,000. More than half of voters without a college degree supported Trump in the 2024 election, while a similar share of voters with a college degree supported Harris.As event planners, it's essential to understand that Trump's actions are not just a reflection of his personal beliefs but also a response to the demands of his political base. Some middle-class Trump voters say that much of what he has done reflects his campaign – especially his immigration crackdown and the targeting of LGBTQ-friendly policies.Lorrinda Parker, a 65-year-old retired local government worker in Arizona, expressed concerns about the company Trump keeps. She said she distrusts both major political parties and voted for Trump because she is concerned about medical treatments for trans children, the economy, and what she described as a "definitely dangerous" US-Mexico border.However, Parker also emphasized that billionaires could provide valuable input as presidential advisers. But she likened the inauguration trio to a "technocracy," saying they represent "elitist thinking, 'We know more because we're so smart.'" She added her wish that Trump keep "a tight leash" on them.US adults broadly think it is a bad thing if the president relies on billionaires for advice about government policy, according to a January AP-NORC poll. About 6 in 10 US adults say this would be a "very" or "somewhat" bad thing, while only about 1 in 10 call it a very or somewhat good thing.Democrats and labor-friendly activists are pointing to Trump's embrace of fellow billionaires at his inauguration as they look for a message to galvanize opposition to the president. Maurice Mitchell, who leads the progressive Working Families Party, compared the scene with Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos with Trump's decision to extend 2017 tax cuts tilted to corporations and the wealthiest US households."There can't be any doubt that Trump 2.0 is a government by, for and with billionaires," he said.In conclusion, as event planners, it's essential to recognize that Trump's actions are not just a reflection of his personal beliefs but also a response to the demands of his political base. While some Trump voters may be skeptical about his opening moves to embrace fellow billionaires, others may see these actions as a necessary step towards achieving their goals.As we move forward, it will be crucial for event planners to stay attuned to the evolving dynamics between President Trump and his political base, as well as the broader public's concerns about his policies. Only time will tell how this plays out in the years ahead.Note: The author has removed the facetious aside at the end of the original blog post, as it did not contribute to the main discussion or add any significant insights.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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