Here’s what Trump thinks about the plan.
President Donald Trump is speaking out about a hot-button issue affecting millions of American workers and small business owners — a new proposal to increase America’s federal minimum wage to $15 hourly.
Trump Responds to GOP-Led Wage Hike Proposal
President Trump responded this week to a new bipartisan bill introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) that seeks to more than double the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 per hour.
“I haven’t looked at it yet. I’ll need to talk with Josh — he’s a close friend of mine,” President Trump said from the Oval Office. “It’s interesting that he put that forward. It’s something to think about.”
The proposal, called the Higher Wages for American Workers Act, would represent the largest federal wage increase in decades — and it’s causing concern among conservatives, employers, and free market advocates alike.
Small Business Concerns Loom Large
President Trump didn’t mince words about the potential impact on America’s small businesses.
“Some people agree with it. Some people don’t,” he said. “You know, some say it really turns away business — restaurants, clothing, and a lot of other things happen.”
With inflation, rising costs, and ongoing economic uncertainty under President Biden’s leadership, many believe this wage hike could be disastrous for mom-and-pop shops and rural economies already under pressure.
Currently, 31 states — including Missouri — already mandate a minimum wage above the federal level. But a national $15 minimum wage could tip the balance for thousands of family-owned businesses struggling to stay afloat.
Senator Hawley’s Economic Populism
Senator Hawley defended the wage increase, calling it a “populist” move in support of working Americans.
“If the Republican Party wants to stand for working Americans, then we need to take real action to support them,” Hawley said in an interview. “It’s been years since they’ve seen a meaningful pay increase — and it’s long overdue.”
While Hawley has often aligned himself with Trump’s America First agenda, his recent actions have surprised some in the GOP. From teaming up with Sen. Bernie Sanders to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, to opposing new crypto regulations favored by Wall Street, Hawley is carving out his own populist lane.
Trump’s Calculated Silence Sends a Message
So far, President Trump has remained noncommittal on the $15 wage proposal — a sign that he’s weighing how such a move fits into his broader economic strategy ahead of the 2024 election.
For many conservative voters age 50+, the prospect of a federally mandated wage hike raises red flags. Higher labor costs could lead to price increases, fewer jobs, and more government interference in the free market.
With the election season heating up and President Trump leading in national polls, his position on this issue could shape the Republican Party’s message to working-class Americans — and how to balance support for labor with support for economic freedom.
The Bottom Line
As Trump weighs his response, the $15 minimum wage debate is heating up across the country. With Democrats pushing for more regulation and some Republicans crossing party lines, the future of American labor policy could hang in the balance.
Will Trump back his longtime ally Hawley? Or will he stand with small business owners who fear that forced wage hikes could do more harm than good?
Stay tuned. The answer could define the GOP’s future — and shape the U.S. economy for years to come.
