Image Source: Getty Images | Photo By Scott Olson
Last Friday, a federal judge appointed by Donald Trump struck down one of President Biden’s most pro-worker policies: an effort to extend overtime pay benefits to millions of low-income salaried workers. This decision, which affects around 4 million workers, has generated little media coverage and no major outcry from prominent columnists.
The policy in question would have raised the income threshold for workers to qualify for overtime pay, an issue at the heart of the 2023 viral song “Rich Men North of Richmond” by Oliver Anthony. The folk singer’s song, which resonated with many working-class Americans, lamented the hardships of low wages and long hours. In the song, Anthony sings, “I’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day, overtime hours for bullshit pay.” The lyrics reflect frustrations over a system rigged against workers—frustrations Biden’s overtime policy sought to address by increasing the overtime threshold from about $35,000 to $58,000.
The Biden administration’s proposed rule would have made an additional 4 million people eligible for overtime pay, including workers in manufacturing, retail, fast food, and other low-to-mid-level positions. These workers often face overwork and low wages because employers have reclassified them as managers to avoid paying overtime.
However, this effort to address inequality was blocked by MAGA-aligned Republicans and business groups, including the National Federation of Independent Business and the International Franchise Association. These organizations have deep financial ties to GOP candidates, contributing large sums to their campaigns. A lawsuit, spearheaded by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and several business groups, led to the judge’s ruling, which stopped the overtime rule in its tracks.
This turn of events highlights the ongoing struggle between working-class interests and business elites. While some may see Trump’s populist rhetoric as representing the working class, his administration’s policies—including the one blocking the overtime rule—serve the interests of the wealthy.
Interestingly, during the height of the “Rich Men North of Richmond” controversy, media outlets praised Anthony’s song as a poignant commentary on the struggles of ordinary Americans. Yet, when it came to Biden’s actual attempt to lift the fortunes of these same Americans, there was hardly a ripple in the media. The ruling not only received little attention but also failed to spark a meaningful debate on the policies affecting working-class people.
This disconnect underscores a larger issue: While Trump has broken with traditional pro-business orthodoxy on some issues, he continues to rely on the GOP’s plutocratic wing to push an agenda that doesn’t prioritize workers’ interests. It’s clear that, despite the media’s obsession with populist symbols like Oliver Anthony, the true pro-worker policies are often sidelined by the very elites the songs criticize.
