Trump and his sycophants have been encouraging Americans to stay away from college. In other words, the Trump administration is limiting their lives.
The economics of college.
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Summary
Donald Trump and the MAGA movement push a dangerous narrative by devaluing higher education while secretly ensuring their own children attend elite schools. College remains a key driver of economic mobility, increasing lifetime earnings by over a million dollars and reducing unemployment risk. By discouraging their base from seeking education, right-wing elites ensure a less informed, more easily manipulated electorate.
- MAGA leadership discourages college attendance while sending their own children to Ivy League schools.
- College graduates earn 80% more than those with only a high school diploma.
- Over a lifetime, a college degree adds over $1 million in earnings.
- A college education lowers the risk of unemployment and improves overall health and stability.
- Trump’s strategy keeps his base uneducated and politically vulnerable.
The Right’s attack on higher education is a cynical strategy to maintain power by keeping their followers economically and intellectually disadvantaged. Progressives must fight for affordable education for all, dismantling the elitist system that the MAGA elite exploit while deceiving working-class voters.
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Donald Trump and his allies have perfected a disturbing form of political manipulation: convincing their MAGA base that higher education is unnecessary, even dangerous, while quietly sending their own children to elite private schools and Ivy League universities. This is not merely hypocrisy; it is a deliberate strategy to maintain a system of entrenched privilege while ensuring that working-class Americans remain economically vulnerable and politically powerless.
While populist conservative politicians like Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, and J.D. Vance encourage their base to attend trade schools instead of universities, their children overwhelmingly attend elite, highly selective institutions like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford.
- Donald Trump went to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and sent his children to Ivy League schools (Ivanka and Donald Jr. both went to Penn).
- Ted Cruz is a Princeton and Harvard Law graduate.
- Josh Hawley attended Stanford and Yale Law School.
- Ron DeSantis went to Yale and Harvard Law.
These leaders rail against “elitist universities” in their speeches, yet they personally benefit from elite education and ensure their families do as well. Their allies and donors also maintain a conservative ecosystem of think tanks, prep schools, and law fellowships that function as their own Ivy League network — a breeding ground for judges, corporate lobbyists, and policymakers. Examples include:
- The Federalist Society – a conservative legal pipeline that dominates federal judicial appointments.
- Heritage Foundation & American Enterprise Institute – think tanks that provide intellectual cover for conservative policies.
- Koch-funded programs at elite schools like George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School funnel graduates into government positions.
This network acts like a shadow Ivy League, ensuring conservative elites have access to wealth and power while their populist rhetoric attacks public universities as “woke indoctrination centers.”
At the same time, conservatives encourage working-class Americans to go into trade schools instead of universities. They frame this as “practical” and “common sense,” saying college is a scam and a waste of money.
There’s nothing wrong with trade schools themselves — electricians, plumbers, and mechanics are vital. However, the political intent behind this messaging is cynical:
- A less-educated population is easier to control politically, as higher education correlates with more progressive and independent thinking.
- Trade jobs often lack strong unions and pay less over a lifetime compared to professions requiring a college degree.
- It preserves class hierarchies, keeping elite decision-making in the hands of those with elite educations.
This strategy feeds the culture war narrative, portraying universities as enemies of conservative values while funneling working-class energy into non-political, labor-intensive jobs. Meanwhile, conservative elites maintain their grip on elite law, finance, and policymaking institutions.
The hypocrisy is glaring. Conservative leaders publicly demonize elite universities as “woke factories,” yet they depend on these very schools for their personal success. Their message essentially says:
“Elite education is for us, not for you.”
This is class warfare disguised as cultural politics. By telling their base to avoid higher education, they reduce competition for elite spaces and consolidate their own power. As a result:
- The conservative base remains economically dependent and politically malleable.
- Conservative elites dominate policymaking and the courts through their Ivy League-trained cadre.
- The broader public loses access to the tools needed to challenge corporate and political hierarchies.
The economic data overwhelmingly supports the value of a college education. As University of Michigan economist Justin Wolfers explained, college graduates earn about 80% more than individuals whose highest degree is a high school diploma. In concrete terms, this means that the average high school graduate earns around $46,000 annually, while those with a bachelor’s degree average $87,000, and those with graduate degrees can approach $200,000. Over a lifetime, this adds up to over $1 million in additional earnings for those who complete a four-year degree. Furthermore, college graduates experience significantly lower unemployment rates—around 2.5%, compared to much higher rates for those without a degree. College acts as a form of insurance against economic instability, especially during recessions.
But the benefits of higher education extend far beyond income. Research indicates that individuals with college degrees tend to live longer, healthier lives. They are more likely to have stable marriages, develop lifelong friendships, and participate in strong professional networks that foster both personal and career growth. Education cultivates critical thinking and provides a foundation for civic engagement—precisely the qualities authoritarian leaders like Trump fear in their followers.
By dissuading their base from attending college, Trump and his allies are not just offering bad advice; they are systematically undermining the economic future of millions of Americans. Trump’s infamous statement, “I love the poorly educated,” was not a joke—it was a glimpse into his strategy. A population deprived of higher education is easier to control, more susceptible to propaganda, and less likely to challenge policies that benefit the wealthy elite.
This dynamic is deeply tied to systemic inequality. The children of wealthy conservatives quietly attend top-tier schools, gaining access to robust networks and opportunities. Meanwhile, working-class MAGA supporters are encouraged to avoid college altogether, cementing a cycle of economic stagnation and dependence. It’s a classic example of elites hoarding opportunity while feeding their base lies and resentment.
The progressive movement must counter this with policies that expand access to education. That includes making college more affordable, forgiving crushing student debt, and investing in both higher education and skilled trade programs. While trade schools are vital and honorable paths, they should complement—not replace—the opportunity for higher education. Everyone deserves the freedom to choose their path without being manipulated by cynical political agendas.
This fight is about more than just individual prosperity. Education strengthens democracy by fostering informed citizens capable of critical thought. When millions are discouraged from learning, democracy itself is at risk. Trump and the Right understand this, which is why they attack universities and demonize intellectuals. Progressives must respond by defending education as a public good and ensuring that knowledge is not a privilege reserved for the elite.
The choice is clear: invest in education and empowerment, or allow a corrupt political movement to trap future generations in ignorance and poverty. A strong, equitable education system is not only an economic necessity but also a moral imperative for a just and democratic society.
