Millionaires‑against‑billionaires cleavage

American politics is fracturing not simply on class lines of rich vs poor but within the wealthy: policies and rhetoric now often pit millionaires (aspirational professionals) against billionaires (the ultra‑wealthy), producing distinct policy preferences and coalition incentives. This cleavage changes how parties craft taxation, regulatory, and cultural messages, because attacking billionaires can be sold as anti‑excess without alienating much of the prosperous base. — Recognizing this intra‑elite split explains why progressive tax proposals target billionaires and how messaging can mobilize broader high‑income support while still addressing inequality.