What Trump Voters Think of Trump

Also: a request for our readers — BCB #146

Our project of “better conflict” only works if we’re able to reach people on both sides. Are we?

tl;dr please fill out our first ever reader survey – it’s short, and really helps us!

Do we have any Trump voters among our readers? It seems likely, though probably not many. And that’s a problem. It’s a problem for most mainstream media outlets too, but it’s a critical issue for the work we’re trying to do.

We have this problem because, however you slice it, none of the writers and editors of BCB would naturally make the case for Trump. However, we’re quite sympathetic to Trump voters. We have friends and family who voted for him. As we’ve said before, our advice for those who don’t like the new president is this: oppose Trump, not his voters.

This week, we’re doing something to try to better understand the people who read us—and who we’re not reaching. Here you’ll find a survey we’d love for you to fill out. What do you believe? Why are you reading us? Are you worried about what the other side might do?

Not unrelated, we’re doing a roundup of what Trump voters think of Trump. There are basically two ways to answer this question: profiles and surveys.

Trump supporters by the numbers

As the second Trump administration hits its 100 day mark, much has been made of the president’s seemingly abysmal polling numbers. He has the lowest 100-day approval rating of any president after World War II at 44%, except for, well, Trump in 2017.

From Trump’s Astonishing 100 Days, in 8 Charts, New York Times

But of course, when you break those numbers down by political affiliation and topic they tell a different story. A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that nearly half of Americans would give Trump an “F” grade on his second term so far, but this number was driven mainly by Democrats. 54% of Republicans gave Trump an “A” whereas 49% of Independents gave him an “F.”

AP-Norc polling reflects similar trends. While Democrats and Independents overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump’s performance across a variety of issues, Republicans still decisively believe he’s on the right track. Even Elon Musk, who is unpopular with both Democrats and Independents, still seems to have the approval of a majority of Republicans.

(Source)

The economy is, of course, the sticking point for many. (As some have pointed out online, this remains one of the last nonpartisan ways to critique Trump.) Fox News’ own 100 days polling found that 72% of Americans and 55% of Republicans think tariffs will make goods more expensive, with many also saying they will worsen the US economy overall.

But basically, the trend holds: while Democrats and many Independents are deeply discontented with the president, a majority of Republicans are still with the program.

Trump supporters in their own words

Everybody did a first 100 days piece last week, so we can do no better than a roundup of the best we’ve seen:

The Trump Voters Who Like What They See - The Atlantic

“Trump might be taking it too far. But then again, he’s a man of action and we wanted change.”

Here’s What 7 Americans Think of Trump’s First 100 Days - The New York Times

“I’m not saying I’m 100 percent happy with everything, but for the most part, I feel that Trump is tackling the issues that the American voters thought were important,” he said, referring to immigration and the economy. “I don’t regret voting for him.”

I went to Trump's first 100 days rally. The key issue for rallygoers I spoke with was, surprisingly, not the economy. - Insider

A 60-year-old woman who asked not to be named told me she thought Trump had "done very well first 100 days, especially when it comes to the border," she said.

"My parents came in the right way," she said, adding that they emigrated from the Netherlands to Rochester, New York. "They were actually sponsored by a family member," she said.

'Kicking butt' or 'going too fast'? Trump voters reflect on 100 days - BBC

"There were a lot of people who cared about the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, but I think it's time we look at our country and get things in order before we go fix other countries' problems.”

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