Skip to content
News

U.S. Presidents with the Biggest and Least Support for Small Businesses

Leaders in the United States Who have Exerted Significant and Minimal Efforts for Entrepreneurs

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
Leaders of the United States who Shown Varying Support for Small-Scale Enterprise Owners
Leaders of the United States who Shown Varying Support for Small-Scale Enterprise Owners

U.S. Presidents with the Biggest and Least Support for Small Businesses

In the history of the United States, several presidents have made significant strides in promoting economic growth and competition, particularly for small businesses. Here's a look at some key figures and their policies that have shaped the small business landscape.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)

Eisenhower established the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 1953, with the aim of encouraging economic freedom and competition. The SBA has since provided essential support to small businesses across the nation.

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)

Reagan's administration is renowned for its fiscal conservatism, which included lower taxes, deregulation, and free market capitalism. These policies are generally viewed as beneficial to small businesses by reducing government interference and fostering a more business-friendly environment.

Reagan launched the Small Business Innovation Research program, reserving 2.5% of federal research and development funds for small businesses. He also passed the Federal Technology Transfer Act, which facilitated the transfer of federal research and development results to small businesses.

Donald Trump (2017-2021)

Trump enacted policies and executive actions that rolled back stricter competition regulations, promoting a less interventionist approach that eased regulatory burdens on businesses. For example, he revoked Biden's 2021 Executive Order on competition policy, fostering more traditional antitrust enforcement focused on price effects rather than broad regulatory restrictions.

Trump also signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in 2025, expanding qualified small business stock (QSBS) rules, providing significant tax benefits that encourage venture capital investment in small businesses by reducing federal income tax on gains.

Other Notable Presidents

  • Barack Obama (2009 -- Present): Obama put through tax incentives for small businesses and launched the Startup America program, aiming to expand access to capital for high-growth startups, add new entrepreneurship education and mentorship programs, remove unnecessary barriers to entry for small firms, and market the availability of federally-funded research and development dollars. Obama's Startup America program also aimed to double exports over five years, expand broadband access across the country, and improve the government's investments in green energy.
  • Bill Clinton (1993-2001) signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, reducing taxes for millions of low-income families and making tax cuts available to 90% of small businesses.
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) established special agencies and rules to ensure small businesses received government contracts during the New Deal and World War II.
  • Lyndon B. Johnson (1963 -- 1969): The Johnson administration considered the SBA and related programs as important tools to help minority-owned businesses.
  • George W. Bush (2001 -- 2009): Bush moved to trim capital gains taxes and streamline tax reporting requirements for small businesses, and advocated allowing businesses to team up to buy health insurance.
  • Jimmy Carter (1977 -- 1980): Carter pushed through pro-business initiatives like the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980, which gave small businesses control over their own intellectual property, and the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, requiring the federal government to exempt small businesses from certain regulations.

Conclusion

Throughout history, U.S. presidents have played a significant role in shaping the small business landscape. Presidents like Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump are widely seen as particularly friendly to small businesses due to their deregulatory moves and tax incentives, while Franklin D. Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter are remembered for establishing special agencies and pro-business initiatives that benefited small businesses. The legacy of these presidents continues to influence small business policies today.

[1] Source: [Link to the source] [2] Source: [Link to the source] [3] Source: [Link to the source] [4] Source: [Link to the source] [5] Source: [Link to the source]

Read also:

Related

Latest