The Historical Roots of the Forgotten Man

The phrase 'the forgotten man' has deep historical roots and has been co-opted by various political figures over the years, most notably by President Trump. Originally popularized by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his first campaign, it was first used by sociologist William Graham Sumner in the late 19th century to articulate a conservative view that the undeserving poor burden the 'working man.' This phrase has morphed in its usage, shifting between conservative and liberal ideologies, highlighting the ongoing struggle for its control in political discourse. Roosevelt’s invocation aimed to identify those at the bottom of the economic pyramid as essential to America's recovery, in stark contrast to Sumner's exclusionary perspective.