A Growing Appetite: The "Eat the Rich" Sentiment in the Age of Billionaire Governance
The ascendance of a Trump administration seemingly sculpted from solid gold, populated by figures whose wealth eclipses that of small nations, has resurrected a phrase from the French Revolution: "Eat the Rich." It’s a sentiment born from frustration, a desperate cry against perceived injustice, and while not advocating literal cannibalism, it highlights the growing chasm between the ultra-wealthy and the struggling masses. The early days of this billionaire-backed era are prompting many to contemplate the hypothetical, albeit darkly humorous, palatability of those at the very top.
Elon Musk, the technocratic titan who seems to have effectively bought influence over the American presidency, serves as a prime example. He has quickly acquired the reputation of a ruthless overlord, wielding his power with seeming disregard for the livelihoods of ordinary workers. Federal employees, both new and seasoned, are reportedly facing arbitrary dismissals, while vital government contracts are being abruptly terminated. Essential aid to foreign countries is being slashed, and funding for medical research into devastating diseases like cancer is being unceremoniously abandoned. The term "cruelty" seems increasingly inadequate, almost begging to be redefined with "See: Musk, Elon" appended to it.
But Musk is merely a symptom of a larger trend. Former President Donald Trump, himself a man of considerable wealth and an acknowledged admirer of Hannibal Lecter, campaigned on promises of supporting the "forgotten man." However, his administration quickly morphed into an oligarchy, stocked with billionaires whose collective net worth would likely dwarf the GDP of several developing countries. As Axios reported, Trump assembled an administration of "unprecedented, mind-boggling wealth," a government so overwhelmingly composed of billionaires that the term is not an exaggeration.
The outcome of this gilded governance, so far, has been disappointing for the average American. Promises to lower food prices have gone unfulfilled, and the lives of ordinary citizens have, in many ways, become more difficult. Inflation is on the rise, thousands of Americans are losing their jobs due to federal cuts, and even everyday staples like chicken eggs have become exorbitantly priced, effectively transforming into a luxury item.
While the phrase "eat the rich" shouldn’t be taken literally, the underlying sentiment is undeniable. The budget resolution recently passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives, for instance, proposes tax cuts for the wealthy, further ballooning the national deficit and potentially leading to drastic cuts in essential social safety nets like Medicaid and Medicare. This disparity has fueled public anger, as evidenced by the intense constituent backlash that many Republican representatives faced at recent town hall meetings. The GOP, seemingly unnerved by the public’s rising discontent, quickly discouraged members from holding such meetings, perhaps fearing they might become the subject of unwelcome culinary desires.
The "eat the rich" slogan is often attributed to philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who is believed to have said, "When the people shall have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich." This stark statement has long served as a rallying cry against wealth inequality, a potent reminder of the potential consequences when the gap between the haves and have-nots becomes too wide.
While the actions of Musk, Trump, and their wealthy cohorts haven’t driven anyone to literal cannibalism, they certainly amplify the desire to vocally express disapproval. The sheer concentration of wealth and power within the Trump administration, reminiscent of Scrooge McDuck swimming in his money vault, is concerning. Moreover, the billionaires who actively support this administration, like Jeff Bezos, add another layer of complexity to the situation.
Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, is accused of suppressing the newspaper’s endorsement of former Vice President Kamala Harris prior to the 2024 election and has been observed seemingly ingratiating himself with Trump. Recently, Bezos announced that The Washington Post’s opinion pages will now prioritize "personal liberties and free markets," a thinly veiled endorsement of policies that benefit the wealthy elite. The public response was swift and decisive, with over 75,000 people canceling their digital subscriptions to The Post in protest.
The suggestion isn’t to literally devour self-serving billionaires who appear to have assembled, like a nefarious reverse-Avengers, to hoard all the wealth and leave the rest of society with crumbs. However, the views on the "eat the rich" sentiment are evolving. A search on Amazon for a Bezos-sized sauté pan yielded no results, a symbolic indication of the growing disconnect between the wealthy and the everyday consumer.
This era of governance-by-billionaires is relatively new, and perhaps it’s too early to fully embrace the "eat the rich" rhetoric. However, it’s prudent to observe how things unfold and to keep one’s recipe book handy, just in case. The growing appetite for economic justice, fueled by the actions of the ultra-wealthy, cannot be ignored. The people are watching, and they are increasingly hungry for change. The simmering discontent, while not advocating for literal cannibalism, serves as a potent warning: unchecked greed and blatant disregard for the well-being of the masses will eventually have consequences. The question remains, will those in power heed the warning before the simmering discontent boils over?
