Trump Doesn't Want Poor People Running The Economy — Says The Wealthy Have A Better Grasp Of Finances: 'I Love All People, Rich Or Poor. But In Those Particular Positions, I Just Don't Want A Poor Person'

In 2017 during a rally held in Iowa, President Donald Trump addressed a subject that stirred much debate among his critics: the wealth of his Cabinet picks. With several prominent figures from finance and business in pivotal roles, Trump's Cabinet was notably wealthy.

Amid allegations of favoring Wall Street and reneging on his campaign promises, Trump chose figures like billionaire investor Wilbur Ross for commerce secretary and Gary Cohn, a former Goldman Sachs president, as chief economic adviser. The choice of wealthy individuals for such central roles led to a barrage of criticism, especially given Trump's outspoken stance against Goldman Sachs during the election period.

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Many of the nominees had extensive financial interests around the globe, leading to concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest. Trump's rationale behind the appointments was direct: He believed that those with considerable wealth had a better grasp of financial management.

During the Iowa rally, Trump explained his perspective. "So, somebody said, ‘Why did you appoint a rich person to be in charge of the economy?' I said, ‘because that's the kind of thinking we want,'" Trump said.

Trump elaborated on his choices, saying that despite their vast wealth, they took on roles in his administration that were significantly less lucrative than their previous positions. Their willingness to do so, in Trump's view, demonstrated a genuine interest in serving the nation.

While explaining, Trump emphasized his broader inclusivity, stating, "I love all people, rich or poor. But in those particular positions, I just don't want a poor person."

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Trump's appointees' vast assets and financial ties did not go unnoticed by executive branch ethics officials. Ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines was a significant challenge during the confirmation process. Although many of Trump's choices divested from several assets, the breadth and depth of their business ties remained an area of scrutiny.

The composition of Trump's Cabinet, influenced by figures in finance and business, was a widely discussed aspect of his early presidency. Trump's justification centered around his belief in the financial wisdom of the wealthy. Concerns around potential conflicts of interest and the broader implications of his choices persisted in political discussions.

Trump's stance on wealth has been a talking point for many who have worked closely with him, highlighting a deeper-rooted belief that financial success correlates directly with capability and competence. 

Former White House staffer and current "View" political commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin touched on the subject recently, observing, "He thinks that being a loser or being poor or struggling financially, those are the absolute worst things. He never learned that playground lesson we did, that winning isn't everything." 

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