How to talk about wealth inequality
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Please use this link to share a digital guide to talk about wealth inequality in the United States.
Headline facts
CEO pay vs. typical worker: In 2023 U.S. CEOs earned about 290× what a typical worker earned. Economic Policy Institute
Wealth concentrated at the top: The top 1% of households hold a very large share of U.S. wealth (roughly about one-third of total household net worth). Federal Reserve
Racial wealth gaps: Median White households hold many times the wealth of median Black and Hispanic households (e.g., pre-pandemic medians were roughly $219k for White vs. $28k Black; gaps persisted into 2022 even as all groups saw gains). NCRC
Big money in politics: “Dark money” (spending that hides donor identities) reached record levels in the 2024 federal cycle — ~$1.9 billion. Brennan Center for Justice
Check out Inequality.org for more easy-to-digest facts
Quick data snapshots you can quote
CEO : worker pay — 290 : 1 (EPI, 2023). Use this to explain how compensation gains flow to executives. Economic Policy Institute
Top 1% wealth threshold (2022 SCF context): Top 1% households have roughly $11.6M or more in net worth (SCF-based estimates). The top decile holds most financial assets; the bottom half holds a very small share. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Median household wealth (examples from 2019/2022): White median ≈ $219,000 (2019); Black median ≈ $28,000; Hispanic median ≈ $42,000 — gaps remain large though the 2019→2022 period saw percentage gains for all groups. NCRC
Dark money & outside spending: Dark-money groups spent ~$1.9B in the 2024 federal cycle — a high-visibility example of how hidden wealth flows into politics. Brennan Center for Justice
How money shapes policy and power
Influence buys access: Large donors and nonprofit spending shape which candidates run viable campaigns, which messages get amplified, and which policy priorities get attention. Brennan Center for Justice
Policy feedback loop: Tax, regulatory, and corporate governance rules often favor returns to capital (share buybacks, capital-gains preferences), helping top wealth grow faster than wages. Federal Reserve
Compounded racial effects: Historical policies (housing discrimination, unequal access to credit and investment) plus modern differences in returns on assets mean racial gaps in wealth persist even when incomes rise. Federal Reserve
Talking tips — short, clear, persuasive
Use a single striking stat: “CEOs made ~290× what a typical worker made in 2023.” Economic Policy Institute
Connect system → outcome: “When wealth concentrates at the top, it buys influence that helps keep rules tilted toward capital, not workers.” Brennan Center for Justice
Humanize it: Pair big numbers with everyday impacts — housing, schools, medical bills, small business access.
Offer solutions: transparency in political spending, stronger disclosure rules, progressive tax changes, support for homeownership and small-business capital in historically excluded communities.
FAQs
Q: Is inequality only about earnings?
A: No. Wealth (assets, investments, home equity) is a major part of inequality and is far more concentrated than wages. Federal ReserveQ: Do racial wealth gaps change quickly?
A: They move slowly. The 2019→2022 SCF shows some percentage gains for Black and Hispanic households but dollar gaps remain large. Federal ReserveQ: Does money actually affect policy?
A: Yes — outside spending, lobbying, and donor influence shape who gets elected and what policies are prioritized. Brennan Center for Justice
Presidency-linked earnings: How much has President Trump and his family made since being elected?
Investigative estimate: Recent investigative reporting in The New Yorker (Aug 2025) aggregates presidency-linked revenues and benefits and estimates the Trump family has realized about $3.4 billion tied to Trump’s presidencies and related business and political activities. This figure combines many streams (Mar-a-Lago and club revenue increases, licensing and real-estate deals, fundraising flows, some crypto and private-equity related proceeds, and other benefits). Source: The New Yorker
Small actions, big impact — what you can do:
Support policies that rebalance power: Advocate for raising the minimum wage, strengthening unions, expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit, and closing tax loopholes that benefit the ultra-wealthy and corporations.
Demand transparency and fair influence: Push for campaign finance reform and disclosure laws that limit the power of big donors and dark money in elections. Support candidates who refuse corporate PAC money.
Invest in and support community wealth: Bank with local credit unions, buy from worker-owned or small local businesses, and support policies that expand homeownership, affordable housing, and access to capital in marginalized communities.
Selected sources (read these for the flier links & charts)
Economic Policy Institute — CEO pay and CEO-to-worker ratios (2023). Economic Policy Institute
Federal Reserve — Distributional Financial Accounts and Fed notes on racial inequality (DFAs, SCF analysis). Federal Reserve
Survey of Consumer Finances / Richmond Fed summaries — wealth thresholds and distribution tables. Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Brennan Center for Justice — dark money / outside spending analysis (2024 cycle). Brennan Center for Justice
The New Yorker — investigative aggregation estimating ~$3.4B in presidency-linked gains for Trump and family (Aug 2025). The New Yorker