• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure

2

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire

3

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

1

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure

2

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire

3

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
LeadershipDonald Trump

How President Trump’s Budget Could Hurt The Voters Who Put Him in Office

Alana Abramson
By
Alana Abramson
Alana Abramson
Down Arrow Button Icon
Alana Abramson
By
Alana Abramson
Alana Abramson
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 24, 2017, 6:32 PM ET

Donald Trump ran for president by promising to restore economically distressed areas like the Rust Belt and Appalachia. “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,” he said in in his inauguration speech, repeating a sentiment he had voiced on the campaign trial from Michigan to West Virginia.

But his proposed budget, which the White House released Tuesday, would cut trillions from social safety programs like food stamps that benefit some of those very same voters.

“The proposed cuts to some federal programs are not mere shavings; they are rather deep and harmful to my district spanning Kentucky’s Appalachian region and other rural, impoverished parts of the country,” said Republican Rep. Hal Rogers of Kentucky.

Trump’s budget is unlikely to pass as law—president’s proposed budgets typically face a jaundiced eye but this one has gotten even more skepticism. Republican Sen. John McCain called it “dead on arrival.” But the budget signals the Trump Administration’s priorities, and some of those goals may end up in Congress’ own version.

Here is a closer look at the way Trump’s budget would impact vulnerable regions in some of the key states that voted for him.

West Virginia

West Virginia voted for Trump in a landslide, 69% to Hillary Clinton’s 27%. But both of West Virginia’s Senators, Republican Shelley Moore Capito and Democrat Joe Manchin—who broke ranks with his party to support Trump’s Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch—said that the cuts in Trump’s budget would hurt their state if implemented.

Trump’s budget proposes nearly $191 billion in cuts over a ten-year-period to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as the provision of food stamps. In 2016, 20% of West Virginia’s population relied on this program, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Capito, who did praise the inclusion of funding to combat drug epidemics, noted “serious concerns” about the way the budget would impact West Virginians, but did not provide specific examples. She did, however, say she would use her position on the Senate Appropriations Committee to ensure funding for programs beneficial to her state.

The budget also proposes elimination of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal organization designed specifically to improve the well-being of the region’s citizens and economically distressed communities. All of West Virginia’s counties are included in the commission, as are select counties in Alabama, Georgia, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee—all states that voted for Trump.

(Counties in Virginia, New York and Maryland, all states that voted for Clinton, are also included).

In 2016, the ARC, in conjunction with the West Virginia Development Office, supported 55 projects that created or retained over 2,700 jobs and educated over 16, 500 students.

“For many West Virginia residents, the programs and services made possible, in part, by these federal funds provide a critical lifeline,” said H. Wood Thrasher, West Virginia Secretary of Commerce. “Any action that places this funding in jeopardy is detrimental to the future of our communities and our state.”

The ARC had no official comment when asked about the budget proposal.

Michigan

Michigan, a state thought to be squarely in Hillary Clinton’s camp, was one of the biggest upsets of the 2016 election, and the victory was crucial in carrying Trump to the 270 electoral votes he needed to win the Presidency. Trump was the first Republican to win the state since 1988, and he did so largely by gaining support among white working class voters and increasing turnout in rural counties.

In 2016, over 1.4 million people in Michigan—15% of the state’s population—were recipients of the SNAP program. In Muskegon County, an area Clinton narrowly won last November but Barack Obama coasted to victory four years earlier, 21% of people relied on this program in 2016, the sixth highest in the state, according to data compiled by MLive.com. In Macomb County, which Trump flipped to the Republican column

Trump’s budget also proposes slashing federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the federal program that invests in restoring the Great Lakes by cleaning up toxic pollution and combatting invasive species that has also been a source for job creation in Michigan.

John Austin, Director of the Michigan Economic Center, estimates that, since the program was inaugurated in 2010, it has created at least 50,000 jobs in the state and generated $2 billion in economic activity.

“It’s a big contributor to a water based economy and it’s a big contributor the lifestyle everyone in Michigan – including Trump supporters—really appreciate,” said Austin.

The opposition has been bipartisan; Both Democratic Senators, Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, have denounced the proposed cuts in funding, as has Republican Rep. Fred Upton.

“Many of the proposed cuts to important domestic programs that many Michiganders rely on are, frankly, non-starters,” Upton said in a statement. “Of particular concern is funding for our Great Lakes and the National Institutes of Health.”

A representative for Senator Peters’ office also highlighted that the budget includes proposals to eliminate economic development programs and manufacturing partnerships, both of which benefit Michigan residents.

Ohio

Often viewed as the bellwether state, voters in Ohio have predicted the winner of every Presidential contest since 1960. Like other states in the rust belt, voters were attracted to Trump partially because of his promise to bring back jobs in the manufacturing and coal industries. Like Like Michigan, Ohio has also benefitted from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and both the Republican and Democratic Senators in the state decried the proposed cuts to the program in the budget.

“This bipartisan program helps protect our environment and strengthen Ohio’s economy,” said Senator Rob Portman. But, like Capito, Portman was cautious in his criticism, also highlighting that the budget would retain funding for the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Ohio’s death rate from unintentional drug poisonings increased 642 percent from 2000 to 2015, according to data from the state.

But Senator Sherrod Brown, said on Twitter the budget “pulls the rug out from under our fight to combat the opioid crisis,” noting that the budget does not provide additional funding to states for this issue and cuts nearly $400 million worth of programs in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“Individuals and families struggling with addiction need a meaningful commitment from their elected leaders, but instead, the Administration has chosen to undercut the efforts of Ohio communities to tackle this epidemic,” said Brown.

Brown also called the proposal to eliminate the ARC, which includes 32 counties in his state, a “slap in the face to rural Ohio.”

About the Author
Alana Abramson
By Alana Abramson
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

andrew macdonald
AITech
Uber burned through its entire 2026 AI budget in four months. Now its COO is questioning whether it’s worth it
By Jake AngeloMay 26, 2026
26 minutes ago
Bill Winters, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered
SuccessJobs
Standard Chartered CEO apologizes for calling some workers ‘lower value human capital’ in AI push
By Emma BurleighMay 26, 2026
3 hours ago
Kevin O’Leary slams people who want work-life balance: ‘I hope they work for my competitors’
Successwork-life balance
Kevin O’Leary slams people who want work-life balance: ‘I hope they work for my competitors’
By Sydney LakeMay 26, 2026
3 hours ago
Jensen Huang waving
SuccessView from the C-Suite
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang admits he criticizes everything his 42,000-plus employees show him: ‘You can’t go a day without some criticism’
By Preston ForeMay 26, 2026
4 hours ago
Leading without a blueprint: the new reality for European technology chiefs
EuropeFortune 500 Europe
Leading without a blueprint: the new reality for European technology chiefs
By Aslesha MehtaMay 26, 2026
4 hours ago
Fortune 500 Power Moves: Which executives gained and lost power (May 9-22, 2026)
C-SuiteFortune 500 Power Moves
Fortune 500 Power Moves: Which executives gained and lost power (May 9-22, 2026)
By Fortune EditorsMay 26, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
Travel & Leisure
The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
By Catherina GioinoMay 25, 2026
1 day ago
The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
Economy
The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
By Nick LichtenbergMay 25, 2026
1 day ago
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
5 days ago
A billionaire and an A-list actor found refuge in a 37-home Florida neighborhood with armed guards—proof that privacy is now the ultimate luxury
Real Estate
A billionaire and an A-list actor found refuge in a 37-home Florida neighborhood with armed guards—proof that privacy is now the ultimate luxury
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMay 25, 2026
1 day ago
Elon Musk's best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX's IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
Investing
Elon Musk's best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX's IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
By Eva RoytburgMay 25, 2026
1 day ago
The Supreme Court handed Trump a Golden Chariot on tariffs — now he just has to take it
Commentary
The Supreme Court handed Trump a Golden Chariot on tariffs — now he just has to take it
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven TianMay 26, 2026
8 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.