Key Takeaways:
- Republican pollster Sarah Longwell warns about the impact of Trump’s economic policies.
- Many Trump voters are struggling financially, with high prices affecting their daily lives.
- Working-class voters, once a key part of Trump’s base, are being hit the hardest.
- Trump’s approval ratings on the economy are dropping, even though it was once his strongest issue.
Trump’s Economic Policies Are Hurting His Own Voters
Sarah Longwell, a Republican pollster and publisher of The Bulwark, has been speaking to focus groups of Trump voters. Many of these voters supported Joe Biden in 2020 but switched to Trump in 2024. Longwell says these voters are now feeling the strain of Trump’s economic policies, especially when it comes to everyday expenses.
She explained that Trump recently made a comment about families only being able to afford one or two toys for their kids during the holidays. Longwell says this comment highlights a bigger issue: many Trump voters can’t even afford those two toys.
Voters Blame Trump for Economic Struggles
Longwell noted that Trump’s poll numbers are dropping, especially when it comes to how he’s handling the economy. This is surprising because the economy was once Trump’s strongest area. She said voters are starting to connect Trump’s policies, like tariffs, to higher prices for everyday items.
For example, many voters in her focus groups believe the economy is Trump’s responsibility. They’re upset because he claimed the stock market is Joe Biden’s problem, but they don’t buy it. Instead, they blame Trump for rising costs.
Longwell said, “These voters are waiting to see if Trump’s policies will work, but they’re getting impatient. They wanted him to lower prices, not make things more expensive.”
Working-Class Voters Are the Hardest Hit
Longwell’s second point is about the makeup of Trump’s voter base. Many of his supporters are working-class or lower-income Americans. These voters were drawn to Trump because they believed he would fight for them and make their lives better. But now, they’re feeling the pinch of higher prices, and it’s affecting their trust in him.
She explained, “These aren’t people who could afford 30 toys to begin with. For them, even one toy was a big deal. Now, because of Trump’s tariffs, that one toy is becoming too expensive for many families.”
Working-class voters are hit harder by price increases because they don’t have much wiggle room in their budgets. While wealthier families can cut back on vacations or other luxuries, lower-income families don’t have that option.
Why This Matters for Trump
Longwell believes this economic frustration could hurt Trump’s support. Many voters who supported him because they wanted lower prices now feel betrayed. They’re starting to question whether Trump is really looking out for them.
She said, “These voters are saying, ‘I wanted you to lower prices, but instead, things are getting more expensive.’ They’re noticing the extra $10 or $20 they have to spend, and it’s making a big difference in their lives.”
Longwell thinks this discontent could cause some of Trump’s base to lose faith in him. She warned, “If these voters feel Trump isn’t delivering on the economy, his support could drop even further.”
The Bottom Line
Sarah Longwell’s insights show that Trump’s economic policies are backfiring with his own voters. Working-class Americans, who were once a key part of his coalition, are being hit the hardest by higher prices. As their financial struggles grow, so does their frustration with Trump.
This could be a turning point. If Trump doesn’t find a way to address these concerns, he might lose the very people who helped him win in the first place.