Is the US Economy Dangerously Dependent on the Rich?

Is the US Economy Dangerously Dependent on the Rich?

From Trumponomics by Bloomberg

June 3, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of a K-shaped economy in the US, focusing on wealth inequality and economic vulnerability.

The idea of a “K-shaped economy” has become one of the most persistent themes about the US economy: While some households continue to thrive, in particular the wealthy ones, everyone else falls further behind. On this episode of Trumponomics , host Stephanie Flanders, Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi and Bloomberg Economics’ Andrew Sacher explore whether that narrative is simply another way of describing that longer-term American phenomenon of inequality — or whether it points to a deeper vulnerability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Stephanie Flanders

Guests: Mark Zandi, Andrew Sacher

Topics covered

  • K-shaped economy
  • US economy
  • inequality
  • wealth disparity
  • economic vulnerability

Keywords

  • K-shaped economy
  • US economy
  • inequality
  • wealthy households
  • economic vulnerability

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Moody’s Analytics, Bloomberg Economics

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