Trump's Davos Dilemma: Bridging the Class Divide

Tue Jan 20 2026 17:25:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Amid a backdrop of luxury, President Trump aims to address housing affordability at the World Economic Forum. Critics question his focus on billionaire interests over working-class needs, particularly as a challenging economic landscape emerges.

As President Trump prepares to address the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he aims to persuade Americans of his commitment to making housing more affordable. However, the luxury setting raises concerns over his dedication to the working class in light of recent economic challenges. Policymakers suggest Trump's focus on wealthy investors overshadows the pressing issues faced by everyday Americans. With sentiments shifting in public opinion, the upcoming address may reflect the growing disconnect between Trump's agenda and the realities experienced by working families.

As President Donald Trump prepares for a key address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he aims to convince Americans that he can tackle housing affordability. However, the setting—a luxurious ski resort where vacation homes can cost upwards of $4.4 million—has elicited skepticism about his commitment to working-class issues.

Trump’s speech, taking place on the anniversary of his inauguration, symbolizes his controversial approach to governance. Critics argue that he has shifted focus away from addressing economic unease among average citizens toward courting billionaires and investment commitments.

“It’s clear that at the end of the day, it’s the billionaires at Davos that have his attention,” stated Alex Jacquez, a policy expert at the Groundwork Collaborative. This sentiment resonates as Trump faces declining support amid economic challenges, particularly rising housing costs affecting countless American families.

The president’s recent surveys indicate that 60% of U.S. adults believe he has worsened the cost of living, with Republicans increasingly vocal about unmet economic expectations. The drop from 49% confidence in Trump’s economic management during his first term suggests a shifting political landscape ahead of the midterm elections.

In his first year back in office, Trump’s focus predominantly on foreign policy has overshadowed vital domestic concerns like housing. Even new proposals aimed at easing burdens—such as reducing mortgage rates and banning certain large financial entities from acquiring homes—appear incremental compared to the scale of the housing crisis driven by years of insufficient construction and rising prices.

Moreover, Trump’s attempts to win over the working class through promises of economic growth, largely dependent on investments from the wealthy, are perceived as problematic. His reliance on billionaires might alienate voters who seek substantial economic relief rather than mere rhetoric.

Critics emphasize that within Trump’s journey towards Davos lies a larger narrative of disconnect; while he celebrates massive wealth accumulation among the elite, regular Americans remain engulfed in a financial struggle that cries out for genuine governmental focus.