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Nearly a year into his second term, President Donald Trump’s economic performance is failing to meet the expectations of many Republicans, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The survey reveals a significant disconnect between voters’ recollections of Trump’s first-term economic achievements and their assessment of his current administration, as the president creates considerable turmoil both domestically and internationally.
Only 16% of Republicans believe Trump has helped “a lot” in addressing rising costs of living, a dramatic decline from 49% in April 2024, when Americans were asked about his first term. The findings suggest that despite cooling inflation, many Americans continue to struggle with elevated prices on everyday goods.
“Still paying $5 for Oreos,” said John Candela, a 64-year-old resident of New Rochelle, New York. While acknowledging no immediate economic improvement for his family, Candela expressed patience: “I would expect it to be different by the time his four years are up.”
Despite these economic concerns, Trump maintains strong overall support within his party. Approximately 80% of Republicans approve of his job performance, though this figure drops to just 40% among the general adult population.
The economic disappointment extends beyond consumer prices. Just over half of Republicans say Trump has helped create jobs in his second term, compared to 85% who credited him with job creation during his first administration. Only 26% of Republicans now say he has helped “a lot” with job creation, a sharp decline from previous levels.
Healthcare affordability presents another challenge. Only about one-third of Republicans believe Trump has helped address healthcare costs “a little” or more, significantly down from the 53% who felt he reduced such costs during his first term. This perception shift coincides with the January 1st expiration of federal healthcare subsidies, which has resulted in costs doubling or tripling for millions of American families.
Ryan James Hughes, a 28-year-old children’s pastor and three-time Trump voter from Waxahachie, Texas, hasn’t seen an improvement in his financial situation. “The medical bills haven’t declined,” Hughes noted, though he added, “I’m not looking to the government to secure my financial future.”
In contrast to the economic skepticism, Republicans overwhelmingly endorse Trump’s immigration policies. Approximately 80% believe he has helped “a little” or more on immigration and border security in his second term, similar to perceptions of his first term. Most Republicans believe Trump has struck the appropriate balance in deportation efforts, with about one-third suggesting he could go further.
However, Trump’s approval on immigration has declined somewhat among Republicans, falling from 88% in March to 76% in the recent poll. This shift comes amid controversial enforcement actions, including the killing of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis.
Kevin Kellenbarger, a 69-year-old three-time Trump voter from Lancaster, Ohio, supports the immigration crackdown despite controversies. “I don’t like anybody getting killed, but it wasn’t Trump’s fault,” he said, adding that President Joe Biden “let millions of people in. They have to be taken out.”
Other Republicans expressed concerns about aggressive tactics, suggesting enforcement should focus primarily on immigrants with criminal backgrounds, as Trump promised during his campaign. Overall, just 38% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s immigration leadership, while 61% disapprove.
Liz Gonzalez, a 40-year-old Republican rancher from Palestine, Texas, and daughter of Mexican immigrants, expressed mixed feelings about the crackdown. “These families that are being separated are just here to try to live the American dream,” she said, while also suggesting that opposition to enforcement efforts creates unnecessary chaos.
Interestingly, more Republicans see national improvements than personal benefits from Trump’s second term. About two-thirds believe the country as a whole is “much” or “somewhat” better off under Trump, while only half say their families have experienced similar improvement. This broader optimism about national direction may offset dissatisfaction with individual economic circumstances.
Phyllis Gilpin, a 62-year-old Republican from Booneville, Missouri, praised Trump’s ability to “really listen to people” while acknowledging discomfort with his personality. “He is very arrogant,” she said, expressing frustration about his confrontational style while also lamenting political divisions: “I really, honestly, just wish that we could all just not be Democrat or Republican—just come together.”
The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,203 adults between January 8-11, using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel. The margin of sampling error for the overall sample is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points, and plus or minus 6 percentage points for the Republican subsample of 404 respondents.
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10 Comments
Interesting to see how Trump’s supporters’ economic expectations have shifted over time. It seems the reality of his second term doesn’t quite match the rosy picture many had in mind. Still, his base remains largely supportive overall.
This is an intriguing data point on the state of the US economy under Trump’s continued leadership. I wonder how specific industries like metals, mining, and energy have fared, given the potential implications for supply chains and consumer prices.
While Trump’s base may still be largely supportive, the poll suggests there are cracks in the facade when it comes to economic performance. It will be interesting to see how this sentiment evolves as the next election approaches.
You make a good point. The economic realities facing Americans, even Trump supporters, seem to be creating some dissonance with the administration’s messaging. It will be crucial for the president to address these concerns effectively.
As a mining and commodities enthusiast, I’m curious to see how Trump’s policies have impacted those industries during his second term. Has there been any significant change in the fortunes of miners, energy producers, and related equities?
The disconnect between voter expectations and economic reality is quite striking. I’d be curious to see how specific industries like mining, metals, and energy have been impacted during Trump’s second term, and how that has influenced public perceptions.
That’s a great observation. The performance of key industries like those would likely provide valuable insight into the broader economic landscape and how it aligns with voter sentiment. It will be an important factor to monitor going forward.
This poll paints a complex picture of Trump’s second term and the challenges he faces in meeting the expectations of his supporters. It will be interesting to see how the administration responds to the economic concerns highlighted, especially in sectors like mining and commodities.
Absolutely. The administration’s ability to address the economic realities facing Americans, including those in key industries, will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Trump’s second term and his political future.
The poll highlights the disconnect between voter perceptions and economic realities. While inflation may have cooled, the lingering impact on everyday costs is clearly weighing on many Americans. It will be telling to see how this plays out in the run-up to the next election.