Swing voters in North Carolina express frustration with President Trump and the economy but do not plan to abandon him or his party as midterms approach. Online focus groups included 12 voters who supported Joe Biden in 2020 and then voted for Trump in 2024. Most participants were independents, with a smaller number of Republicans and one Democrat. Many voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance and say he is not attuned to economic pain, including high gas prices. Several voters report increased economic anxiety since Trump took office. Some voters react strongly to Trump’s comments about Iran, viewing them as disconnected from Americans’ financial concerns.
"Half of these voters said they overall disapprove of the job Trump is doing. And a lot of that frustration has to do with the fact they do not think Trump is attuned to the growing economic pain that many Americans are feeling as the war in Iran continues. Eight of 12 voters said Trump is "out of touch with their economic concerns," and nine said they are more economically anxious now than they were before Trump took office last year."
""I don't think he really understands the American people, what we are going through, what we're suffering with," said April M., referencing high gas prices. (All participants agreed to be part of the focus groups on condition that they be identified by their first names and last initials only.) Some voters were particularly upset when they were shown this recent comment Trump made to reporters: "The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon," he said."
""I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran""
Read at www.npr.org
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