"It's human nature to judge your personal economics and mood on how you feel, influenced heavily by conscious and subconscious comparisons to others. So it's possible President Trump is right: U.S. growth and stocks soar in 2026. But even then, because the AI-connected hyperwealthy do so much better than everyone else, fear and resentment still grow. It's also possible the AI bubble pops, and everyone suffers. But the Have-Lots will (mostly) still have lots."
"The Have-Nots: Stuck For the bottom 50%+, the economy, by historical standards, is fine. Wages are growing, unemployment is low, and inflation is moderate. But the mood is sour, as shown by sky-high pessimism about their personal future and AI. This group leans Trump - not massively, but clearly, and enough to matter to MAGA's plans. Their income is up about 4% year-over-year before inflation, lower than the growth for their richer friends."
The AI-driven economic shift concentrates gains among the hyperwealthy, disrupting economics, politics and AI through rising inequality and growing pessimism. The bottom half of households experience modest wage growth, low unemployment and moderate inflation, yet report sour moods and high anxiety about their futures and AI. Many in the bottom 50% narrow gains to cover higher food, energy and housing costs; renters face high rents and homeowners face mortgage rates near 6%. The bottom 50% own about 1% of U.S. stocks and roughly 40% could not cover a $400 emergency without debt. During the AI bounce, the top 10% gained $5 trillion in one quarter versus $150 billion for the bottom 50%.
Read at Axios
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