Has the economy gone C-shaped?

The concept of a “K-shaped economy” emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to describe the growing economic divide, where the wealthy became richer while the poor faced increasing hardships. Initially, government relief efforts masked these disparities, but as these programs ended, poverty rates rose significantly, highlighting the economic struggles of lower-income Americans. Meanwhile, the wealthiest benefited from stock market gains fueled by stimulus measures. This divergence in economic fortunes resembled the letter K, symbolizing the upward trajectory of the rich and the downward trend for the poor. However, the term has been used in various ways, sometimes simply to describe inequality. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a more optimistic view, likening the economy to the letter C, indicating potential improvements for lower- and middle-class Americans. The debate over these economic symbols reflects the complexity of capturing economic realities with simple metaphors. QUESTION: How might the perception of economic inequality change if more people viewed the economy as a “C” rather than a “K”?