Side Hustles in the Trump Era: How Gig Workers Are Adapting to New Policies

Let’s get real about how gig workers feel about recent policy changes. Our research uncovered some eye-opening trends about who understands these policies and how they’re affecting different groups.

Two in five gig workers are unfamiliar with Trump-era policies that impact the gig economy, including tax reforms and labor law changes. Under Trump’s administration, there have been significant changes affecting the gig economy, particularly through relaxed rules that made it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors, thereby limiting their labor protections.

Breaking this down by political views, 43% of moderates, 42% of liberals, and 36% of conservatives report being unclear about these policies. Age-wise, baby boomers show the highest uncertainty (51%), followed by Gen X (43%), Gen Z (41%), and millennials (39%).

The tax situation is also a major pain point, with many feeling the American tax system is unfair to gig workers—3 in 5 believe they’re shouldering a heavier tax burden than traditional employees. This feeling runs strongest among liberals (62%), with moderates (56%) and conservatives (51%) also reporting concerns.

Among those aware of Trump-era policies, nearly half (46%) see them as unfavorable, with younger generations leading (millennials at 49% and Gen Z at 48%). Baby boomers are less critical, with only 36% viewing the policies unfavorably. Political views heavily influence these perspectives—74% of liberals view the policies unfavorably, while only 30% of moderates and 10% of conservatives share this view.

Among different types of workers, freelancers are the most likely to find Trump-era policies unfavorable (51%), while small business owners (15%), food delivery workers (14%), and e-commerce sellers (10%) are less likely.

All these changes are creating uncertainty about the future of independent work. Workers are trying to navigate shifting regulations and tax laws, often piecing together information from various sources just to stay informed.

The future of the gig economy? Workers aren’t so sure. Almost half (48%) have doubts about whether gig work can last under current policies, while only 27% feel confident about what’s ahead.

When it comes to staying updated on policy changes, news outlets (71%) and social media (62%) are the top sources. Young workers especially turn to social media—3 in 4 Gen Zers rely on these platforms for policy updates.

Other sources of information are less commonly used. Just 29% of gig workers rely on word-of-mouth, while 23% turn to online gig worker communities. Official government websites rank the lowest, with only 21% of workers using them to stay informed.

The gig economy is transforming, and workers are getting creative to stay ahead. Let’s look at how they’re adjusting their strategies and what changes they believe would make their work more sustainable.

Times are tough enough that 1 in 5 gig workers have had to significantly increase their workload—particularly younger workers in the millennial and Gen Z groups.

When it comes to coping strategies, most workers (69%) are putting in extra hours. Many are diversifying their income streams with different types of gigs (52%) or cutting back on expenses (48%). Fewer have tried adjusting their rates (23%) or seeking professional tax advice (9%).

Workers have clear ideas about what would make their work more secure. Guaranteed minimum pay tops the list at 55%, while half want access to unemployment benefits. Many are looking for simpler taxes (47%) and healthcare and retirement benefits (46%). Protection from sudden termination is also important, with 39% saying it would help them feel more secure in their work.

We surveyed 1,000 American gig workers and freelancers to analyze how the Trump administration’s policies are shaping the gig economy. The average age was 41; 50% of the respondents were women, and 50% were male. Generationally, 7% were baby boomers, 27% were Gen X, 51% were millennials, and 15% were Gen Z.

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