How Americans feel about the U.S.’ rising income inequality

Income inequality in the U.S. isn’t a new phenomenon.

That said, it’s been growing over the past few decades.

Americans’ discontent with the system as a whole is long documented. Feelings that the economy is “rigged” for the rich and powerful is shared by most Americans.

Where does the public stand on America’s growing income inequality? Below are five charts on where Americans stand on income inequality in the U.S.

1. Inequality on the rise. The Gini Index, a measure of income inequality in a country, has been on the rise since the 1960s. Though many administrations have promised to tackle income inequality, the gap has still widened over the past few decades.
2. Unifying yet divisive. Wealth inequality was a major driver behind Americans’ votes in the 2024 election for both Democrats and Republicans. The disagreement came on which candidate was better suited to address it.
3. Will Trump address income inequality? Income inequality ranks as one of the top priorities Americans want Trump to focus on early in office. That said, Trump’s economic promises have mostly focused on keeping the economy humming as opposed to directly addressing income inequality. Will it be a focus of his second term? We will see.
4. The very wealthy’s involvement in the government. Most Americans, across both parties, say the very wealthy have too much influence on both the government and the White House in general. With spending on elections continuing to rise year over year, this sentiment is likely here to stay.
5. System is broken. Americans are dissatisfied with the “system” writ large. Americans’ desire for change is a key reason Trump won the 2024 election and is a sentiment that is likely to continue to be a pillar of U.S. elections going forward.

Though income inequality is a major motivator behind Americans’ votes, Americans haven’t yet unified behind a single party or candidate as a means of addressing the nation’s growing income inequality.

In just the past year, we’ve seen monumental shifts in the structure of the nation. If there’s one broader takeaway from this election and America’s reaction to the monumental changes of the Trump administration, it’s that some Americans aren’t afraid to tear down a “system” they view as broken in search of something better.

Is it only a matter of time before Americans rally behind someone promising to take the same approach to the growing wealth inequality in the nation? We will see.

Insights into the New America brought to you by Clifford Young, Sarah Feldman, and Bernard Mendez.