# US inequality worsening in unexpected ways

> Wealth gaps widen as tax cuts and energy costs hurt middle class.
- Title: US inequality worsening in unexpected ways · The Conversation
- Summary: Wealth gaps widen as tax cuts and energy costs hurt middle class. US wealth inequality rises as tax policies and energy costs disproportionately burden…
- Keywords: inequality, tax cuts, wealth, middle class, energy costs, affordable care act, trump tax bill, 2026 midterm elections, wealth tax, science, ideas, worsening
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/us-inequality-is-getting-worse-in-ways-you-might-not-expect-294075
- Author: Markus Schneider
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us, inequality, tax cuts, wealth, middle class, energy costs, affordable care act, trump tax bill, 2026 midterm elections, wealth tax, science, ideas
## Wealth surge for billionaires
Billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk saw their wealth soar thanks to stock market booms and tax changes.
## Rising inequality concerns
A Pew Research survey from October 2026 found 6 in 10 Americans, including 4 in 10 Republicans, believe US inequality is too high.
## Wealth concentration trends
The top 1% saw their wealth share jump from 31.7% to 32.5% between first and second quarters of 2026, a gain of over $8.5 trillion.
## Middle class shrinking share
The middle class holds only 28.8% of all wealth despite being 40 times larger than the top 1%, with their share falling from 32.9% in 1999.
## Ultra-wealthy pulling away
The top 0.1% own 15% of all wealth, almost half of the top 1%'s wealth, and captured two-thirds of recent gains.
## Corporate profits boost
The top 0.1%'s wealth is disproportionately boosted by corporate profits, which are up sharply overall.
## Tax code changes
Since Reagan's tax cuts in the 1980s, US tax code has become less progressive through policy changes supported by both parties.
## Trump tax bill effects
Republicans passed Trump's sweeping tax bill in 2025, including permanent tax cuts for the wealthy and lower corporate tax rates.
## Healthcare subsidy lapse
Trump's 2025 legislation allowed federal healthcare subsidies through ACA to lapse, expected to drop ACA signups by 5 million.
## Energy costs impact
Oil prices rose sharply since February 2026 conflict with Iran, disproportionately hurting low and middle-income consumers.
## Tariff effects
Tariffs have raised prices for consumer goods by 2.9% instead of lowering them by 1% without tariffs.
## Key takeaway

US wealth inequality rises as tax policies and energy costs disproportionately burden middle class.