With the 2026 midterm elections now less than a year away, the pro-Trump/MAGA coalition that helped elected Donald Trump to the White House in 2024 is rapidly falling apart, and many Trump supporters are expressing disgust with his repeated attempts to downplay the economic pain they’re feeling.
According to focus groups conducted by NBC News, economic issues are hurting Trump and Republicans, with some Trump voters calling his optimistic comments about the economy “delusional.”
“Trump supporters in these groups were divided from the start over the president’s use of tariffs — caught between the promise of an ‘America First’ remaking of international economics and frustration with an erratic rollout and the effect the tariffs had on prices.”
“Some voters expressed disappointment that the president hasn’t made tackling inflation a higher priority and wanted to see more tangible progress in his pledge to lower prices across the board — a thing that essentially never happens except in moments of economic calamity.”
Outright anger was expressed by some Trump voters, with Robert L. of Virginia suggesting the president is “delusional” and “out of touch.”
David S. of New Jersey said Trump’s imposition of tariffs was a huge mistake that has raised prices on consumers.
“Tariffs are a tax on the American people. That’s who pays for it, so I don’t support it,” he said. “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.”
Even on the issue of immigration, some who cast a ballot for Trump said his policies are doing more harm than good.
“He was going to deport people that were criminals and have backgrounds,” Ruby L. said. “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.”
But perhaps the most telling remarks came from Justin K., who told NBC, “It’s a bait and switch with him where he said he was for the average person but he actually favors big business, and then just does whatever he wants and there’s no consequences.”
A bait and switch from a grifting pathological liar. Wow! Who could have predicted that?
