On Sunday, a new Fox News report revealed that President Donald Trump’s voters are “upset” with his performance. The famously conservative outlet spoke with attendees at a Trump rally in Durant, Oklahoma, where many were frank about their assessment of the economy.
“We’re pretty upset with the way the economy has been ran,” said one young man. “We’re upset that I’m paying $4 a gallon for gas for sure. We’re definitely upset with that. We were promised lower interest rates, and we haven’t seen it. We were promised lower rent, and we haven’t seen it.”
“It’s pretty rough,” admitted an older man wearing a Trump hat. “I’ve had to cut back on my driving and a little bit on my groceries.” According to another, “That will definitely affect voters. I’d say the economy is on a roller coaster ride right now.”
The report comes as a new poll shows approval for Trump’s handling of the economy has hit an all-time low. As PBS explains, “Americans are deeply frustrated with President Donald Trump's handling of the economy and rising prices, with most panning his performance and blaming his policies as higher costs threaten his party's chances in November."
It continued: "A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that only 17 percent of U.S. adults approve of the Republican president's handling of the cost of living. Just 26 percent approve of his handling of the economy overall, marking a new low. A majority, 65 percent, of U.S. adults now blame Trump's policies for persistently high costs more than factors outside of his control, signaling growing weariness over his aggressive use of tariffs and continued unhappiness with the war with Iran.”
As a result, polls show that the GOP is vulnerable in even some of its reddest districts and states due to anger over fuel prices, beef imports, and corruption. According to a Republican pollster, Trump’s voters have become “disillusioned” by his lack of concern for the problems faced by everyday Americans. As one Texas Trump voter explained, “You used to think that you could count on the Republicans to be able to help out with the economy.” Now, he said, it feels as if “it’s going to be the top class or the certain friends that are getting the benefit of the economy, not the general folks.”
Earlier this week, Fox discussed the president’s unwillingness to address public concern about the economy. “The president is saying that we're doing great, but don't tell me we're doing great,” complained a guest of Fox business analyst Stuart Varney. “Focus. I don't want to hear about the Kennedy Center. I don't want to hear about a triumphal arch… acknowledge that their pain at the pump is real. Their pain in the pantry is real. The chaos at the kitchen table is real.”
