Political correctness in public speeches of politician and statesman Donald Trump

Zyryanova Irina Petrovna ORCID: 0000-0002-6676-0390 PhD in Philology Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages and Russian Philology, Nizhny Tagil State Social-Pedagogical Institute, branch of the Russian State Vocational Pedagogical University (Yekaterinburg) 622030, Russia, Sverdlovsk region, Nizhny Tagil, Krasnogvardeyskaya str., 57, office 308 zyryanovairena@gmail.com Other publications by this author

In the twentieth century, a new phenomenon is emerging – "political correctness." A new phenomenon that originated in the United States has spread to other countries, representing a unique linguistic and cultural category.

"Political correctness" comes from the English "political correctness". This term is a veiled game characterized by the manifestation of absolute politeness, in which one word is replaced by another, which does not hurt the listener's feelings ^{[1, p. 3]}.

The equivalent of this concept can be neutral language – a language free of words and expressions capable of hurting the feelings of people who are united by racial, national criteria, or/and having age, physical or sexual characteristics.

This phenomenon also implies a desire to reflect in speech a positive attitude towards victims of discrimination. Thus, D. E. Zimmer urges to stop using in his speech any definitions that may offend and humiliate victims of discrimination, to remind them of their "shortcomings" ^{[2, p. 133]}.

One way or another, political correctness is associated with the use of speech phrases in the language, which help to avoid anything that could be offensive.

O. F. Ivanova believes that the phenomenon under study has found its expression in the following areas::

1) racial political correctness (skin color, eye shape, etc.). In English: African-American, Native American.

2) civil political correctness. In English: migrant worker, guest worker changed to migrant laborer;

3) ethnic political correctness. In English: Asian, Latin;

4) social political correctness. In English: deprived changed to poor, rich to comfortably situated;

5) professional political correctness. In English: automobile mechanic changed to automobile engineer, engine redesigner, vehicular consultant;

6) ethical political correctness. In English: addiction changed to substance abuse;

7) physical political correctness. In English: old, elderly changed to golden-older, mature, middlescence, an older person, senior, third age;

8) gender political correctness. In English: postman changed to mail carrier;

9) mental political correctness. In English: the disabled, the handicapped, the handicapped changed to physically challenged, people with disabilities, the mentally handicapped;

O. F. Ivanova believes that these examples indicate the spread of politically correct vocabulary, which is "a deterrent that prevents open expressions of thoughts and feelings in society, which can lead to various kinds of conflicts" ^{[3, pp. 8-10]}.

S. G. Ter-Minasova understands political correctness as "a powerful cultural, behavioral and linguistic tendency, which is characterized by the desire to find new ways of lexical expression instead of those that are capable of offending other people with habitual linguistic tactlessness regarding race, gender, age, health status, social status, human appearance, etc." ^{[4, p. 6]}.

The concept under study has an interdisciplinary character, which makes it possible to consider it from the following positions:

1) from the point of view of culture and society. Political correctness is a system of interrelated liberal beliefs that protect the equal rights of all members of society. It should eliminate negative stereotypes rooted in society in relation to certain social groups and should form a new culture of behavior that allows avoiding conflicts in interpersonal and intercultural communication.

2) in terms of language. Political correctness is a concept according to which language must be freed from all words and expressions that have an offensive or degrading function. She is able to create an optimal strategy for speech behavior in conflict situations for people conducting a dialogue. At the same time, political correctness seeks to protect discriminated objects by means of language ^{[5, p. 29]}.

Thus, we can say that political correctness as a linguistic category is a set of linguistic norms necessary to eliminate insults and humiliations of a person, regardless of his individual characteristics. It has the following categorical features: an integral feature and a differential feature. A cultural category represents stereotypes, symbols, standards, and other signs of national and universal culture that characterize native speakers of a particular language. Therefore, when we talk about the category of culture, we are talking about the "category of national culture".

The phenomenon of political correctness is of great interest to both domestic and foreign linguists ^{[6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22]}. We find it interesting and relevant to study the phenomenon of political correctness in the speech of politicians representing the country on the world stage.

The purpose of this study is to study this category in the speeches of US politician and statesman Donald Trump, who "declared war" on political correctness, despite its relevance in modern political discourse.

The research material consisted of 100 units of (not)politically correct statements recorded in various interviews, during election debates, as well as texts posted on his personal Twitter social network page.

PRESENTATION OF THE MAIN RESEARCH MATERIAL

Donald John Trump is the 45th president of the United States, from the Republican Party. The British newspaper Financial Times included Trump in its published list of 50 people who "defined the face of the decade." ^[23] He is often called a "politically incorrect politician", and his manner of speech is vulgar, which is not only a characteristic of his personality, but also the secret of success.

By participating in the US presidential election race, D. Trump captured the mood of the voters, making the main slogan of his campaign the phrase "Let's make America great again" – Let's make America great again. He then announced a crusade against political correctness: "I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct"

Donald Trump's attitude to political correctness is widely discussed in the American press. Nesryne Malik in his article "If Donald Trump wants to be polite, why does he scold political correctness?" The Guardian demonstrates the public's attitude towards Donald Trump as a politician with the words: "Disparate incidents of opposition to Trump and his regime are being collapsed into a single story: a petty, entitled and bad-loser left is abandoning civility, and in doing so inciting hatred and violence." – Individual cases of opposition to Trump and his regime are reduced to a single statement: leftist, arrogant and a loser who refuses to be polite and at the same time incites hatred and violence (our translation). He also notes that this is just a cynical political assessment of his opponents, and that the problem of political correctness existed long before D. Trump became president. ^[24].

The above has led to our interest in exploring the category of political correctness in the political career of Donald Trump as President of the United States.

We analyzed statements, interviews, pre-election debates and speeches, many speeches by Trump and his personal Twitter account. As a result, the material of this study includes 100 statements by D. Trump. The analysis of the practical material allowed us to identify a number of groups within which we recorded the manifestation of political correctness or its violation. The results are presented in table 1.

Table 1. The ratio of (not)politically correct statements in Donald Trump's speeches.

politically correct

The largest group is associated with gender political correctness, it makes up 30%, where we have included vocabulary and statements related to sexual minorities, women's rights, gender identity (gay person, LGBT, bitch, bimbo). The next group is ethical political correctness, which makes up 23%. We have included insults, taboo and colloquial vocabulary (titans, loser, fucking, clown) in this group. Racial political correctness is 13%. Here we have highlighted statements related to nationality (Swedish, Arab, blacks, color). Religious political correctness is 11%. Here we have highlighted statements related to the names of religions and their representatives, statements related to terrorism (jihadist, Muslims, ISIS, Islamophobia). The category of professional political correctness is 8%, which includes statements related to sexism in the professional sphere (Ambassador, police officer, congressman, fireman). Civil political correctness accounts for 7% of statements, which include statements related to migration and migrants (illegal alien, migrant, illegal immigrant, coyote). Social political correctness is 5%. Here are expressions depicting differences in the financial status of citizens and their status (rich, poor, racist). The category of physical political correctness is only 3% and includes expressions related to addictions (drug addict, crack).

Next, we will analyze the identified groups, each of which is represented in turn by politically correct and incorrect expressions.

Gender political correctness (30%).

Politically correct expressions (40%)

If Hillary Clinton can't satisfy her husband, what makes her think she can satisfy America? (https://twitter.com ) is a politically correct word with a neutral meaning, but it makes this phrase vulgar.

Every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential (https://edition.cnn.com ) – these possessive pronouns are politically correct, and at the same time indicate gender in the language.

26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military – only 238 convictions (https://www.daytondailynews.com ) – the first phrase is a politically correct statement, it refers to legal vocabulary.

Sexual orientation would be meaningful (https://abcnews.go.com ) is a politically correct phrase related to sexual orientation.

One in three women are sexually assaulted on the dangerous trek up through Mexico (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct statement that refers to legal vocabulary.

Hillary Clinton can never claim to be a friend of the gay community as long as she continues to support immigration policies that bring Islamic extremists into our country and who suppress women, gays and anyone else who doesn't share their views or values (https://www.citylab.com ) is a politically correct phrase related to the sexual sphere.

This time, the terrorist targeted our LGBT community. As your President, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBT citizens from the violence and expression of a hateful foreign ideology (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct abbreviation associated with sexual minorities.

After consulting with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the U.S. Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military (https://twitter.com ) is a politically correct word associated with sexual minorities.

If a gay person can be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or take another position of responsibility, why can't they serve this country in the military? (https://abcnews.go.com ) is a politically correct phrase for people with non–traditional sexual orientation.

Beauty and elegance, whether in a woman, a building, or a work of art, is not just superficial or something pretty to see (www.thehypertexts.com /) – the highlighted words are politically correct and have a neutral stylistic connotation, but in this statement they refer to both women and other inanimate objects, which means it is sexist.

As your president, I will do everything in my power to protect our LGBTQ citizens from the violence and expression of a hateful foreign ideology (https://www.brainyquote.com /) is a politically correct abbreviation associated with sexual minorities.

Here tonight are two fathers and two mothers (https://thehill.com ) – both words are politically incorrect from the point of view of American culture (in the USA, all words indicating gender are politically incorrect).

It must be a pretty picture. You're dropping to your knee (https://twitter.com ) is an politically incorrect and sexist statement that degrades women's dignity. Inappropriate in political discourse.

Fox viewers give low marks to bimbo MegynKelly will consider other programs! (https://twitter.com ) is an politically incorrect lexical unit, refers to taboo vocabulary, and humiliates women's dignity.

The person who came up with the expression "the weaker sex" was either very naive or had to be kidding (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) – the highlighted phrase is offensive and degrading to women (from the point of view of American culture). Inappropriate in political discourse.

Grab them by the pussy (https://www.nytimes.com ) is an politically incorrect and sexist statement, humiliates women's dignity and looks like a call for sexual violence against women.

A person who is very flat-chested is very hard to be a 10 (https://www.nytimes.com ) – an politically incorrect statement related to physical disabilities is vulgarism.

Does she have a fat ass? Absolutely (https://www.nytimes.com ) is an politically incorrect phrase related to people's appearance.

I like kids. I mean, I won’t do anything to take care of them. I’ll supply funds and she’ll take care of the kids. It's not like I'm gonna be walking the kids down Central Park (https://www.nytimes.com ) is an politically incorrect statement that violates women's rights and is offensive to women's rights activists.

I did try and fuck her... I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn't get there (https://www.urbanedjournal.org ) is an politically incorrect word, vulgarism, inappropriate in political discourse.

- Do you believe in punishment for abortion – yes or no – as a principle?

- The answer is there has to be some form of punishment.

- For the woman?

- Yeah, there has to be some form (https://www.urbanedjournal.org ) – This question, as well as the answer to it, are politically incorrect, as they violate women's rights from the point of view of international law. In addition, the law "on the prohibition of abortions" was passed in the USA.

While Bette Midler is an extremely unattractive woman, I refuse to say that because I always insist on being politically correct (https://www.tatler.com /) – this phrase is politically incorrect, it offends women's dignity and is vulgar.

By the end of her speech she looked like a Snowman! (https://twitter.com ) – the highlighted word is politically incorrect from the point of view of American culture, since it is about a woman, we can say that it is sexism.

She is weak and possibly a bitch. An actual bitch (www.thehypertexts.com /) is a word with an understated stylistic coloring, insulting feminine dignity and inappropriate in political discourse.

Women manipulate men with just a twitch of their eye-or perhaps another body part. Women have even cheated the devil (www.thehypertexts.com /) – the entire statement is inappropriate in political discourse, as it negatively characterizes women and is sexist.

Women.... You have to treat them like shit (www.thehypertexts.com /) is a sexist statement that is inappropriate in political discourse.

Such a nasty woman (https://www.latimes.com /) – a word with understated stylistic coloring, sexism.

She probably – maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say (https://www.thoughtco.com ) is an inappropriate statement in political discourse, as it expresses a disparaging attitude towards women.

I don't think Ivanka would do that, although she does have a very nice figure. I've said if Ivanka weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her (https://www.thoughtco.com ) – the statement is inappropriate in political discourse, since D. Trump is talking about his daughter in the context of relationships that are limited by the laws of many countries of the world.

Ethical political correctness (23%).

Politically correct expressions (21%)

Represented in this room are some remarkable citizens from all over the world – you are national leaders, business titans, industry giants, and many of the brightest minds in many fields (https://www.upi.com /) – both words are politically correct and refer to business vocabulary.

Hillary Clinton wants to be America’s Angela Merkel, and you know what a disaster this massive immigration has been to Germany and the people of Germany. (https://abcnews.go.com ) – the word is politically correct and neutral in meaning.

She was a disaster, totally unfit for the job (https://edition.cnn.com ) – the word is politically correct and neutral in meaning, but it gives this expression a touch of colloquialism and disdain.

Politically incorrect expressions (79%)

Good work by General Kelly for quickly firing that dog (https://twitter.com ) –in this context, the meaning of the highlighted word is offensive.

We are not in a trade war with China, that war was lost many years ago by the foolish, or incompetent, people who represented the US (https://twitter.com ) – both words are politically incorrect.

The problem with banker Jamie Dimon running for President is that he doesn't have the aptitude or "smarts" & is a poor public speaker & nervous mess – otherwise he is wonderful (https://twitter.com ) – highlighted words and phrases are vulgarisms and inappropriate in political discourse.

Why are we having all these people from shithole countries coming here (https://www.shortlist.com /) – a rude expression used in colloquial speech is inappropriate in political discourse.

I'm so tired of this politically correct crap (https://www.politico.com /) – an politically incorrect and rude expression with a colloquial stylistic connotation is inappropriate in political discourse.

So please get your asses out tomorrow and vote (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is an politically incorrect and rude word, refers to taboo vocabulary, and is inappropriate in political discourse.

He's a champ. I love him defending me on television, he is a bulldog. He doesn't give a damn – boom, boom, boom, point after point. Right? He's a champ (https://factba.se ) – the first highlighted word is politically correct, even when referring to a person. The second word refers to obscene words and is taboo, inappropriate in political discourse.

The Democrats have now decided whether they will continue defrauding the public with ridiculous bullshit (https://twitter.com ) is an politically incorrect expression, jargon, inappropriate in political discourse.

This guy Cordray is a bad guy, he's not a good person, he's hurt a lot of people (https://factba.se ) – the phrase is jargon, which is inappropriate in political discourse.

It is a generation of sanctimonious, sensitive, supercilious snowflakes (https://www.chronicle.com ) is a neutral word, but in this context it takes on a connotation of disdain and contempt.

Show me someone without an ego, and I'll show you a loser (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a jargon that is inappropriate in political discourse.

Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me "old", when I would never call him "short and fat"? (https://www.vox.com ) – both words are politically incorrect because they describe a person's physical condition.

Hillary is not tough enough to face Russian president Vladimir Putin or ISIS. She is a lying bitch (www.thehypertexts.com /) is a word with an understated stylistic coloring, a swear word is inappropriate in political discourse.

So many of the great men and women of the FBI have been hurt by these clowns and losers (https://twitter.com ) – the first word is stylistically neutral, but makes the statement vulgar. The second word is jargon, which is inappropriate in political discourse.

An "extremely credible source" has called my office and told me that Barack Obama's birth certificate is a fraud (https://www.tatler.com /) – vulgarism, inappropriate in political discourse.

These are foolish people. We have a lot of stupid people (https://www.chronicle.com ) – the word is politically correct and has a neutral stylistic connotation.

Why is he protecting Crooked Hillary, Comey, McCabe, Lisa Page & her lover, Peter S, and all of his friends on the other side? (https://twitter.com ) is a word with an understated stylistic coloring, inappropriate in political discourse.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better (https://twitter.com ) – the first phrase is a politically correct phraseology, in the sense of making the persecution of dissidents absurd. The following phrases are not politically correct. The second phrase is offensive, the third and fourth are associated with criminal vocabulary.

[...] In the meantime, we can't get a fucking school in Brooklyn (https://edition.cnn.com ) – this word refers to taboo vocabulary, inappropriate in political discourse.

Sorry losers and haters, but my IQ is one of the highest - and you all know it! (https://edition.cnn.com ) is a jargon that is inappropriate in political discourse.

Racial political correctness (13%).

Politically correct expressions (39%)

Nearly Four in ten African-American children are living in poverty (https://edition.cnn.com ) is a politically correct phrase used by residents of the United States to refer to black Americans.

And Hispanic-American unemployment has also reached the lowest levels in history (https://thehill.com ) is a politically correct phrase used for Latin Americans.

But I want to do things that haven't been done, including fixing and making our inner cities better for the African-American citizens that are so great and for the Latinos, Hispanics, and I look forward to doing it (https://www.citylab.com ) –the selected lexical unit is politically correct and denotes residents of Latin America.

Maduro is not a Venezuelan patriot, he is a Cuban puppet (https://www.theguardian.com ) – both words are politically specific, the first is used to refer to residents of Venezuela, the second is Cuba.

When was the last time anybody saw us beating, let's say China, in a trade deal? (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) – the first word is a politically correct designation for the country of China or for its inhabitants.

Politically incorrect expressions (61%)

I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall (https://www.washingtonpost.com /) is a politically correct designation for the country of Mexico and its inhabitants.

Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in (https://www.cnbc.com ) is a politically correct phrase for the peoples of the Middle East.

I mean, I don't notice Swedish people knocking down the World Trade Center (https://medium.com ) is a politically incorrect designation for residents of Sweden.

I will not rest until children of every color in this country are fully included in the American Dream (https://edition.cnn.com ) is an politically incorrect designation that was used to refer to minorities of a different skin color who were discriminated against in the United States.

She sees communities of color only as votes and not as human beings (https://thehill.com ) is an politically incorrect word that has been used to refer to minorities who have a different skin color and have been discriminated against.

There were people that were cheering on the other side of New Jersey where you have large Arab populations (https://medium.com ) is a politically incorrect designation for residents of the Middle East.

I have a great relationship with the blacks (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically incorrect lexical unit for black residents of the United States.

I had a great relationship with the Hispanic – we had a lot of Hispanic s in the school actually from different countries, Venezuela, from Brazil, and they all played soccer, and I was on the soccer team, and I developed great relationships with them (https://www.brainyquote.com ) is an politically incorrect word for Spanish–speaking people or residents of Latin America.

Religious political correctness (11%).

Politically correct expressions (54%)

I am proud to be a Christian.... (https://www.thoughtco.com ) – the word is politically correct and denotes followers of the Christian faith.

Well, you're right about Islamophobia, and that's a shame. And we have to be sure that Muslims come in and report when they see something going on (https://www.vox.com ) – the first word denotes a type of xenophobia against Islam, the term is considered politically correct, as it is recognized by international law. Three times the word is politically correct and denotes followers of Islam.

The United Kingdom is trying hard to disguise their massive Muslim problem (https://medium.com ) is a politically correct phrase with a negative connotation from the point of view of the "West", since it is associated with international politics.

There’s a sickness. They’re sick people. And the Muslims can help us figure out the answer (https://medium.com ) is a politically correct designation for followers of the Islamic religion.

Every jihadist who carried out a lethal attack inside the United States since 9/11 was a citizen or legal resident (https://www.newyorker.com ) is a politically correct term that came to us from the Islamic religion, today this term is increasingly used in relation to ISIS warriors.

Politically incorrect expressions (46%)

A radical Islamic terrorist targeted the nightclub not only because he wanted to kill Americans, but in order to execute gay and lesbian citizens because of their sexual orientation (https://www.citylab.com ) – the phrase is politically incorrect, since we are talking about "radical Islamic terrorists", from the point of view of political science we are talking about a political ideology, and not about Islam as a religion.

Our president doesn't want to use the term [...] "radical Islamic terrorism" (https://www.vox.com ) is a non–political phrase, as it implies a connection between terrorism and Islam as a religion.

Another terrorist attack in London...These animals are crazy and must be dealt with through toughness and strength! (https://twitter.com ) is an politically incorrect and racist word.

There is a Muslim problem in the world, and you know it and I know it (https://medium.com ) is an politically incorrect phrase, now it is becoming politically correct, not only in the West, but all over the world.

We are importing radical Islamic terrorism into the West through a failed immigration system (https://www.newyorker.com ) is an politically incorrect phrase, as it implies a connection between terrorism and Islam as a religion.

Professional political correctness (8%).

Politically correct expressions (50%)

Law officers have been shot or killed in recent days in Georgia, Missouri, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan and Tennessee (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct profession designation that does not contain gender differences.

The number of police officers killed in the line of duty has risen by almost 50% compared to this point last year (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct profession designation aimed at combating sexism.

Libya is in ruins, and our Ambassador and his staff were left helpless to die at the hands of savage killers (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct profession designation aimed at combating sexism in the language.

Yeah well, believe it or not I had a great relationship with Chancellor Merkel (https://abcnews.go.com ) is a politically correct profession designation aimed at combating sexism in the language.

Politically incorrect expressions (50%)

With us tonight is one of the toughest people ever to serve in this House, a guy who took a bullet, almost died, and was back to work three-and-a-half months later, the legend from Louisiana, Congressman Steve Scalise (https://thehill.com ) is an politically incorrect and sexist designation of a profession, so how the suffix -man is used.

Everything I do in life is framed through the view of a businessman. (https://www.brainyquote.com ) is an politically incorrect and sexist profession designation, as the suffix -man is used.

I was down there, and I watched our police and our firemen, down on 7-Eleven, down at the World Trade Center, right after it came down (https://www.urbanedjournal.org ) is a politically incorrect profession designation, as the suffix -man is used.

So funny to watch Schumer groveling. He called for the firing of bad cop James Comey many times – UNTIL I FIRED HIM (https://twitter.com ) is an politically incorrect expression, it is a jargon.

Civil political correctness (7%).

Politically correct expressions (28%)

Last month, 20,000 migrant children were illegally brought into the United States, a dramatic increase (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct expression associated with a change of place of residence.

Parents like Laura Wilkerson and Michelle Root and Sabine Durden and Jamiel Shaw whose children were killed by illegal immigrants (https://thehill.com ) is a politically correct phrase for illegal immigrants.

Politically incorrect expressions (72%)

These children are used as human pawns by vicious coyotes and ruthless gangs (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) – the first word is politically correct, the following highlighted phrases are inappropriate in political discourse, as they have an understated stylistic coloring.

In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records, including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes, and 4,000 violent murders (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a rude and racist statement referring to migrants, inappropriate in political discourse.

America's heart broke the day after Christmas when a young police officer in California was savagely murdered in cold blood by an illegal alien, just came across the border (https://www.vox.com ) is an politically incorrect designation for illegal immigrants and is racist.

In California, an air force veteran was raped, murdered, and beaten to death with a hammer by an illegal alien with a long criminal history. (https://www.daytondailynews.com ) – the first three highlighted words are politically incorrect and denote ways of leaving life, have an understated stylistic coloring; the second highlighted phrase is politically incorrect racism.

Social political correctness (5%).

Politically correct expressions (60%)

You know the funny thing; I don't get along with rich people. I get along with the middle class and the poor people better than I get along with the rich people (www.brainyquote.com ) is a politically correct word, as it has a neutral stylistic connotation, used to characterize the economic status of an individual or social group.

The beauty of me is that I'm very rich (www.brainyquote.com ) is a politically correct word, has a neutral stylistic connotation and characterizes the economic situation of an individual or social group.

I'm the least racist person you've ever interviewed (https://www.washingtonpost.com ) is a politically correct expression with a stylistically neutral meaning.

Politically incorrect expressions (40%)

They've allowed millions of low-wage workers to compete for jobs and wages against the poorest Americans (https://thehill.com ) is an politically incorrect description of the economic situation of an individual or a social group.