By Graham Vanbergen: As Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, the United States faces renewed scrutiny of its socio-political landscape. Critics and supporters alike have drawn comparisons between modern America under Trump’s influence and authoritarianism, but in reality, it looks more like America’s fictional Gotham City. Known for its pervasive corruption, unchecked power of the monied elite, and stark inequality, it seems strange to point to Gotham’s narrative as a lens through which to examine the parallels between Trump’s presidency and his cadre of billionaire backers.
Gotham: A City of Wealth and Despair
Gotham City, the infamous urban backdrop in the Batman franchise, is not just a microcosm but the epitome of societal decay. With a look and atmosphere primarily influenced by New York City, its wealth disparity is staggering, with opulent mansions overshadowing crumbling tenements. Gotham is plagued by corrupt officials, crime syndicates, and a population left to fend for itself amidst systemic neglect. Today, crime is rapidly rising in New York, as it is over much of America, along with systemic political corruption and police misconduct cases. Central to Gotham’s dysfunction are ultra-wealthy figures who wield disproportionate influence, shaping the city’s fate to serve their interests. The same can clearly be said of America itself under Donald Trump’s administration.
America’s Wealth Disparity Under Trump
During his first presidency, Trump’s policies often mirrored the dynamics of Gotham. Tax reforms heavily favoured corporations and the ultra-wealthy, exacerbating income inequality. As of 2024, the top 1 per cent of American households control over 30 per cent of the nation’s wealth, a figure that had steadily risen since Trump’s tax overhaul in 2017. Like Gotham’s elite, Trump’s billionaire backers – a group including real estate magnates, hedge fund managers, tech and media moguls will benefit disproportionately.
When Trump returns to power, his economic agenda is expected to further solidify this disparity. Deregulation, reduced oversight, and policies aimed at fostering business growth at the expense of public welfare reflect a Gotham-like prioritsation of capital over community. Elon Musk’s plan to cut $2 trillion in US government spending is a good example, as it will negatively affect almost every American. This represents a 30 per cent cut overall of the federal government budget that is mainly spent on social security, health, debt interest, Medicare, defence and income security.
The Role of Corruption and Donor Influence
In Gotham, public officials often served the interests of the wealthy, with city policies shaped by backroom deals and financial incentives. In America during Trump’s first term, his leadership drew similar criticism. His presidency faced allegations of nepotism, conflicts of interest, and undue influence from mega-donors. For instance, Sheldon Adelson and other billionaires reportedly received favourable policies in return for their financial support, such as deregulation in industries they dominated.
Moreover, Trump’s appointments often favoured individuals with ties to corporate America, echoing the cronyism that pervades Gotham’s city hall. Critics warn that his second term could deepen the entanglement between money and politics, eroding public trust in democratic institutions.
Inequality and Social Unrest
The socioeconomic chasm in Gotham breeds disillusionment and unrest, themes that resonate in modern America. Trump’s tenure amplified divisions, with urban centres and marginalized communities bearing the brunt of policy decisions favouring wealthier demographics. While Gotham’s underprivileged turn to crime or revolution, America saw movements like Black Lives Matter and widespread protests addressing systemic inequality during and after Trump’s presidency. We also witnessed one of America’s worst incidents of civil insurrection with the Capitol Hill riots – incited by Donald Trump himself.
Inequality’s persistence risks pushing America further into Gotham’s narrative: a fractured society where the rich fortify themselves behind gated communities while the rest struggle for survival. The threat of another challenge to democracy is very real in America. Nearly three-quarters of Americans are worried about political violence, and nearly half believe civil war is inevitable. These are the conditions that lead to the rise of a fictional vigilante – one that practices retributive justice operating outside the law.
The Billionaire Effect: Heroes or Villains?
Gotham’s billionaires, like Bruce Wayne, oscillate between philanthropy and complicity in systemic issues. Trump and his allies present a similar paradox. While they champion themselves as saviours of the economy, their actions often reinforce existing power structures. Trump’s narrative as a self-made billionaire resonated with voters, but his policies frequently served corporate interests over the public good. Indeed, within a few short weeks of Trump’s victory, a record $64bn was added to the wealth of the richest top ten people. Elon Musk’s fortune rose a staggering $24billion within a week.
For many, the question remains whether these figures, like Gotham’s elite, are part of the solution or the problem. In overall statistics, it may seem as though America will fair even better than it currently is – and the US economy is doing much better than almost all advanced economies – but for the average American, the story is likely to be very different as the first two years of the new administration unfolds.
A Warning or a Blueprint?
The comparison between America under Trump and Gotham City serves as both a cautionary tale and a critique of modern governance. It underscores the dangers of unchecked wealth, political corruption, and growing inequality. While Gotham has Batman to challenge its power structures, America’s fate hinges on whether its institutions and citizens can address these systemic issues.
It should not be forgotten that total US household net worth stood at $154 trillion, with the bottom 50 per cent of that distribution accounting for $3.8 trillion – just 2.5 per cent of the total. That works out to $58,000, on average, for some 66 million US households, with many owning much less. The top 10 per cent hold two-thirds of all US household wealth, and the bottom 90 per cent share the remaining one-third.
As Trump’s return looms, the question persists: will America rise above the Gotham City analogy, or will it descend further into its shadowy depths? Many economists, political observers, analysts and experts think it will be the latter.