Several young voters who supported Donald Trump in the last election are now speaking out about why they regret their choice.
When The New York Times asked them to describe life under Trump using a single word, some of the responses included “reckless,” “overpowering,” and “aggressive.”
Many said they had hoped for improvements in the U.S. economy but feel let down. Some also believe Trump’s immigration policies have gone too far and that he has strayed from his “America First” agenda.
Others pointed to his handling of foreign conflicts, saying the administration is focusing too much on international issues while neglecting problems at home.
In a recent edition of The New York Times’ “America in Focus” series, young Trump voters in their late 20s and early 30s were interviewed about their mixed or shifting views on the former president’s performance.
Some of these voters admitted they now regret their decision. When asked to describe Trump in a single word, Mustafa, a 28-year-old from Georgia, said, “The way that he’s been handling things recently, dictatorship.”
Trump’s strong support among younger voters was considered a major factor in his 2024 victory. But recent polling shows that this group, which traditionally leans Democratic, is beginning to express dissatisfaction.
A Pew Research Center survey conducted in August found that 69 percent of Trump voters under the age of 35 still approve of his performance. However, that figure marks a sharp 23-point drop from the start of his second term.
Mustafa, who works in the automotive industry, shared that he feels disappointed by what he sees as a lack of focus on domestic issues.
“We’re focused on Ukraine and Israel more than I feel like the United States,” he said. “The military, I like it, has gotten much better than it used to. But I thought he was going to come in and end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.”
Quinton, a 33-year-old account manager, also from Georgia, said his concerns are mainly about the economy. He expected Trump to be more supportive of working-class Americans.
“For me, it comes down to taxes and jobs,” Quinton explained. “The job market is just not good at all. I have a lot of friends and family members who are struggling to find work. He made it seem like he was going to look out for the working-class people, and it’s the exact opposite.”
John, a 28-year-old delivery driver living in Florida, said his regret is tied to Trump’s impact on the cryptocurrency market.
“Even though my personal investment in crypto is doing fine, he has really messed up the market overall,” John said. “A lot of wealthy people are just pumping and dumping coins and launching useless tokens. This is not what I voted for.”
Kelsey, 32, an independent voter working in the tech industry, shared her concerns about Trump’s hardline deportation plans. She believes the approach is too extreme.
“I just think it’s way too aggressive,” she said. “Even if it’s the worst of the criminals, can they be treated more humanely once they get to the deportation centers?”
Sarah, a 32-year-old engineer from Montana, echoed similar concerns. She said the way these policies are being carried out has made her question the democratic values she once trusted.
“I’m having a hard time trusting in my current democracy and my Constitution,” she said. “I’m not really sure I’m seeing those honored, even in these deportation processes.”
(This article is based on reporting by The Daily Beast.)
