In advance of the SOTU, the NEW GOLDEN ERA ECONOMY: The "haves" have more money. The "have nots" do not. USA! USA!

[Miles Archer]

Income and wealth inequality are not new concerns for the US economy, but the gap between the haves and the have-nots widened this past year. While booming stock prices – themselves bolstered by rampant investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure – have increased prosperity for high-wealth individuals.

Tracking US consumer sentiment
The Index of Consumer Sentiment in the US changed little in February from January. It was below the 20-year average. The index is derived from surveys that ask Americans about their current financial situation and their expectations for the future. A higher index value suggests that consumers are confident, while a lower value indicates caution or pessimism.

For some lower- and middle-income Americans, however, the finances just seem to get tighter, and burdens are growing. A growing share of American households are finding it increasingly difficult to pay down bloated credit card bills, to keep up with pricey car payments, to make student loan payments (deferred during the pandemic but now back in the mix), and to have enough money in the bank to cover their monthly mortgage check.

More Americans are falling behind on their debts
The percentage of credit balances that are "seriously delinquent," or 90-plus days past due
Multi-series line chart showing the percentage of credit balances that are "seriously delinquent," or 90-plus days past due.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/24/economy/us-sotu-economy-trump-vis