It feels as if the inauguration of the second Trump administration was far longer than six months ago. The policy changes, indiscriminate slashing of government programs and staffing, wildly fluctuating trade and foreign policy, disregard of the courts and attacks on dissent have unmistakably altered the climate in the U.S. Many Americans are on edge and feel vulnerable in the face of this uncertain environment.
At the same time, Americans who work for a living are simply looking for the basic things they have sought for decades — fair pay, access to affordable housing and healthcare and the ability to retire comfortably. Americans are seeking financial stability above all else. Our 2025 MAP research [PDF] shows that financial security is the most important determinant of whether people feel they are meeting their personal goals — more than their job, home, physical and mental health/wellness, relationships, connection to community and family well-being.
Trump spoke to these economic needs and made promises to improve the economy and lower prices. (The #1 issue among voters in the 2024 presidential election was inflation and the economy.) Again, we found in our MAP research earlier this year that two in three Trump voters expected personal financial gain from his policies this year, and nearly three-quarters of Trump voters say Republican policies are most likely to improve financial stability. However, none of the dramatic policy changes in the U.S. have addressed the economic basics for people who work for a living, as evidenced by the recent reconciliation bill passed by the Senate on July 1, 2025.
Our findings
Our recent primary research shows what is important to most Americans right now, regardless of political affiliation:
- 84% of Americans agree: Ultra wealthy people have too much power over what happens in this country
- 81% of Americans agree: Wealthy corporations have manipulated the political system so it’s rigged in their favor — they pay less than they should, everyone else pays price
- 73% of Americans agree: America is failing as a nation because of increasing inequality and the burdens on the middle class and the poor
- 90% of Americans agree: When working people have more money in their pockets, it’s better for everyone: their families, communities and America. But our research shows that a quarter of the workforce is struggling finding a job with sufficient pay and benefits.
This study shows that policies focused on fair wages and improving access to affordable living (housing, healthcare, childcare) align with what people want and show respect to working people.
Zohran Mamdani addressed these issues head-on with a platform focused on policies to make New York City affordable for working people and families. And he ran away with the Democratic primary in what has been described as a “stunning political upset.”
“We have won because New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford.” – Mamdani.
As we saw in New York, Democrats who address these issues and speak effectively to these basics will inspire their base. Democrats are searching for answers, but it seems they have been there all along.
Why do we conduct our own research on Americans’ opinions of working people (and other topics)?
We often touch on these topics in work we do with clients, and we find that conducting our own studies, as we have for the past decade, gives us the freedom to explore what motivates people more holistically, providing a fuller context for understanding decision-making.
Another of our recent studies looked at women’s life priorities and helped us see that disabilities have a major impact on well-being and that women’s generational progress has stalled.
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. We remain committed to conducting research on topics that matter to us and look forward to future collaborations with others who also find this work important. If that’s you or your organization, we’d love to hear from you.
Photo by Pop & Zebra on Unsplash
