At a Glance
- Over 50 Trump supporters in focus groups across demographics
- Many still approve of Trump’s job performance
- Growing frustration over inflation and deportation policies
- Why it matters: The shift signals potential cracks in the president’s core coalition as midterms approach.
The latest focus-group study shows that while Trump voters largely back his performance, their confidence is fraying over economic and immigration issues.
Shifting Support Over Time
The study, conducted by News Of Los Angeles and produced by News Of Los Angeles and News Of Los Angeles, tracked Trump supporters in March, June, September, and December. The results reveal a steady decline in enthusiasm for the president’s economic agenda.
- Economy: Only 47% of voters felt inflation was a top priority.
- Tariffs: Opinions split between those who see future benefits and those who see immediate costs.
- Deportation: Many praised border tightening but criticized the execution.
Economy
Voters expressed disappointment that Trump hasn’t prioritized inflation, a key 2024 campaign promise.
Margaret Talev
> ‘Many of these voters gave President Trump a long runway well into the summer because they believed that he understands how business works better than they do and that his own fortune would eventually translate to enriching the country and their own finances or because they felt so strongly that unchecked immigration was a huge problem that needed a huge fix,’
Margaret Talev
> ‘But as the year wore on, we have seen a shift among these voters collectively, cracks in their faith, more questioning, oscillating or outright change of heart about Trump,’
- Rozlyn C.
> ‘I think he has a grand master plan that most of us probably don’t understand,’
> ‘I have faith that he, a hundred percent, has the best interest of our country at heart.’
- Dorris S.
> ‘I expected him to be aggressive in a lot of different areas and he’s doing exactly that – being aggressive in a lot of different areas of focus that concern the U.S. citizens. Every few days you’re hearing something different and you’re constantly seeing him at work, working, getting stuff done,’
- Robert L.
> ‘the president’s comments about inflation improving are “delusional” and prove he’s “out of touch.”‘
- Justin K.
> ‘He’s been focused on prosecuting his political enemies, pardoning people,’
> ‘I don’t even think that there’s much a president can do on inflation, but I think that this was a kind of situation where he just said it to get elected,’
- Rich Thau
> ‘it’s clear President Trump’s greatest vulnerability is being viewed as ineffective and insulated when it comes to inflation-just like President Biden was.’
Tariff Debate
The tariff policy split the group between those hoping for long-term benefits and those fearing immediate harm.
- Hector L.
> ‘I think that it’s ridiculous that we haven’t been charging tariffs for decades and we’re starting to equalize it,’
- William A.
> ‘Other countries charge us particular tariffs for our goods; it’s only fair that we make it equal across the playing board – no imbalance, that’s been the problem. And he’s trying to bring balance, to the force, per se, of tariffs,’
- David S.
> ‘Tariffs are a tax on the American people. That’s who pays for it, so I don’t support it. Every tariff that is put in place, from when Biden is putting ’em in place, Trump putting them in place, they are taxes on the people who are importing. The people who are buying those imports are paying the tax.’
Immigration and Deportation
While voters largely backed Trump’s border tightening, many criticized the deportation strategy.
- Rebecca H.
> ‘I approve of how Trump is “tightening the border control” and “restricting the refugees.” But I didn’t like how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was “kidnapping people,” as it makes arrests.’
- Katelyn R.
> ‘The way that these people are being treated don’t align with my Christian values, or my pro-life values, or any of the values that a conservative may have,’
- Ruby L.
> ‘He was going to deport people that were criminals and have backgrounds. But I see that he’s deporting people that work hard and have been in this country. I think he should find a way to help them stay and get citizenship or something.’
- Justin O.
> ‘Well, what do you expect? If you came here illegally, you’ve done something illegal. Expect the consequences,’
- Rich Thau
> ‘When it comes to immigration, a lot of respondents told us this year, “I like what the President is doing, but I don’t like how he’s doing it.” This suggests they’re struggling to reconcile their vote for the President with executive actions they find troubling,’
| Focus Group | Month | Key Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Diverse Trump voters | March | Initial support, job performance |
| Swing-state Latino voters | June | Tariff debate, economic uncertainty |
| Trump voters who backed Democrats | December | Inflation skepticism, deportation criticism |
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s base remains loyal on job performance but is increasingly critical of inflation handling.
- Tariff policy is a major point of division among supporters.
- Deportation tactics are eroding support despite overall backing of border enforcement.
The study suggests that the president’s coalition is showing cracks that could influence the 2024 midterm outcomes.
