Focus Group: Regretful Trump 2024 Voters
This Navigator Research report covers Americans in battleground states who voted for Trump in 2024 and expressed regret or misgivings about their vote.
Other Big Takeaways
Some [Trump regretters] even feel “duped” and surprised by Trump’s term. Others expected Trump to be flawed but did not like their other options.
Few see anyone – Democrats or Republicans – coming to stop Trump. Trump regretters express a desire for elected officials to have “a backbone” and fight for something.
Grades
Trump regretters graded the presidency between a B and F. None of the participants gave him an A.
“That’s why with a D or D-minus… Everything that’s been enacted, again, the rhetoric, all these ICE escapades and everything like that, it’s rough, and I just don’t think he’s doing anything about it or helping at all.” – MI Black man
The Economy
Trump regretters cited some bright spots in the economy, largely gas prices and stocks.
“They finally did come to terms where it’s going to help people that are waitresses and this and that for where they just passed, where their tips aren’t going to be taxed and overtime is not going to be taxed.” – MI white man
Many Trump regretters say the cost of living is a major concern, especially how wages haven’t kept up with rising costs and how tariffs have impacted their wallets.
Some expressed frustration that the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress haven’t done more to alleviate the pain they’re feeling on their wallets, with some highlighting Republicans’ inability to lower health care costs or how they endangered SNAP funding.
“There are a litany of things that are right in front of our faces, but there just hasn’t been meaningful movement forward on any of them.” – PA white man
Demeanor and Focus
Trump regretters say his petulant behavior bothers them more and more, comparing him to a child.
“And even some of the stuff that he will just post on social media or just say to other people or about other people, especially official people, I think it’s very childish and it’s almost embarrassing to be like, ‘Oh yeah, and I voted for that guy.’” – MI white man
Participants see Trump as focused on self-enrichment instead of working families.
“Personal gain, whatever is going to be best for him, for the rich. … To the question of what I think Trump thinks of us, but I do think that for the lower class and middle working class, he probably views us as little peasants and just wants the vote.” – GA white woman
Immigration, The Epstein Files, and Venezuela
Some Trump regretters say they are surprised by his actions on immigration.
“The hatred, just the going after immigrants and just the way that he’s attacking them. I didn’t think he would go this route, not because I thought he was a good person, but because I didn’t think he would think it was personally good for him.” – GA Hispanic woman
The focus groups took place days after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis. ICE enforcement and the shooting are top of mind for many, especially for Latino voters. Others say raids and deportations are hitting close to home.
“It’s just been kind of disgusting what happens because of the domino effect of ICE getting $4 billion jumping up there, how much they have now to spend and use.” – AZ Hispanic man
A few Trump regretters liken ICE actions to that of a Hitler-style dictatorship.
Trump regretters said there was something suspicious about his handling of the Epstein files.
“Yeah, there’s some stuff I strongly disagree with, … the handling of the Epstein files obviously are hotbeds.” – MI white man
Participants have more nuanced views on Trump’s actions in Venezuela, although many worry about what comes next.
“As for physically running another sovereign nation, plucking a foreign leader out of their bed and bringing them to the stateside for prosecution, that’s not a great look on the international floor.” – WI white man
Regrets
Some Trump regretters said they felt “complicit” or “duped” about their votes.
“He’s a great con man.” – NC Hispanic man
Some say they had an “a-ha” moment when they moved towards regretting their vote.
Many said they suspected Trump’s term would turn out this way, but they felt they had no other choice when they cast their ballots.
Trump regretters see Republicans in Congress as Trump enablers.
“I expected Republicans to act like the grownups … I know a lot of those people speak better than Trump, they’re far more eloquent, they make more sense, but nobody used any of that to really speak up.” – MI Hispanic woman
They see few Congressional Democrats fighting for them and can only name a handful that excite them. Some Trump regretters say Democrats haven’t provided an alternative.
When asked about Democrats that excite them:
“Raphael Warnock has done a decent job. … I don’t think that there’s anything at this moment that I can think of that I want to see per se.” – GA white woman
When asked what they would tell their 2024 selves, Trump regretters said they would try to “get out of the manosphere” and “buckle up” for the road ahead.