President Donald Trump largely won his second term by convincing a decisive number of swing state voters that he would be better at managing the economy than Democrats. However, some of his supporters are now questioning their vote as prices continue to rise and financial markets continue to falter.
The Washington Post is reporting that Trump's economic bona fides have since been called into question after he's spooked investors with a potential trade war, causing stocks to tumble and stoking fears of a recession. North Carolina voter Alexis Arney, who voted for Trump in 2024, said she feels "bamboozled" with prices for groceries and gas spiking. She told the Post that she's considering putting her four-month-old in daycare so she can make extra money to cover basic needs, like specialty baby formula for infants like hers with acid reflux.
“It’s $44 a can, and she’s going through seven cans a month,” Arney said. “I’m worried about being able to feed my baby.”
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However, while some Trump voters acknowledge the economy is in poorer shape now than during President Joe Biden's term, they still aren't ready to completely abandon him. 65 year-old Pennsylvanian Trump supporter Tom Kristunas said he believes the nation is "going in the right direction" despite higher grocery prices. He told the Post he believed Trump's plan for the economy could "take a while" before results take shape.
Ultimately, whether the economy worsens and whether voters punish Republicans for a potential recession are still open questions. But according to veteran Republican pollster Whit Ayres, the Trump administration shouldn't take its 2024 electorate for granted.
"“It’s very clear that people voted for him to juice the economy, lower inflation, stop illegal immigration and get away from woke culture,” Ayres told the Post. “If you look at what’s dominating the news these days, it tends to be massive cuts in federal employment and Ukraine and a plunging stock market.
"When people expect you to do one set of things when they vote for you, and then if the news tends to be dominated by another set, it leads to a good deal of disappointment," he added.
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