Steve Cortes, the national spokesman for the League of American Workers, has urged Americans to be candid about their economic hardships while maintaining optimism about a populist recovery plan. This statement was made in a video and accompanying post on the social media platform X.
"On the Economy, level with the people," said Cortes. "Acknowledge the pain, sell the plan, and shine a light on the path out and upward. Restore trust, rebuild prosperity. America First! You cannot build trust by trying to fool anyone about their own kitchen table reality."
In his video statement, Cortes described the current economic struggles faced by working Americans, highlighting that everyday expenses such as groceries and insurance remain elevated. He contrasted this with the rising prosperity of high-income households, explaining that "the top 10 percent now account for half of all consumer spending—up from 30 percent in the 1990s." He also outlined a populist economic vision emphasizing onshoring, rising real wages, and broad-based prosperity.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food-at-home prices have increased by approximately 25% since January 2020. Essential categories such as dairy, grains, and meats have experienced significant inflation. Rising costs of living continue to affect working families’ ability to manage household budgets, reflecting persistent affordability challenges across states.
Federal Reserve data indicate that "the top 10% of households in the United States now control nearly 70% of the nation’s total wealth," compared with about 60% in the early 1990s. This concentration of wealth has led to increased consumer spending power among higher-income households, further widening the economic gap between income groups.
Cortes is known as "the voice of the deplorables" and is a leading advocate for patriotic populism centered on National Sovereignty, the Diffusion of Power, and Populist Economics. A former commentator for CNBC, Fox News, and CNN, he served as Spokesman and Senior Advisor for Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
