Nearly a year into President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, a new national survey suggests that while his political base remains largely loyal, cracks are emerging—especially when it comes to the economy and the cost of living. The findings highlight a sharp contrast between how Republicans remember Trump’s first term and how they are assessing his performance now.
According to a new poll conducted by The Associated Press in partnership with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, many of Trump’s own supporters say his efforts to ease financial pressure on American households have fallen short of expectations.
Cost of Living Disappoints Trump’s Base
The survey shows a steep decline in Republican enthusiasm over Trump’s handling of everyday expenses. Just 16 percent of Republicans now say the president has helped “a lot” in addressing the cost of living—down dramatically from 49 percent in April 2024, when respondents were asked to reflect on Trump’s first term.
Overall, only about four in ten Republicans believe Trump has helped at least “a little” with living costs during his second term. By contrast, nearly eight in ten Republicans credited him with helping on that front during his first presidency.
For many voters, the frustration is tangible. John Candela, a 64-year-old Republican from New Rochelle, New York, said his family has not felt relief at the checkout counter. “Still paying $5 for Oreos,” he remarked, noting that his salary and bills remain unchanged. Still, Candela said he is willing to wait. “I would expect it to be different by the time his four years are up.”
The poll reflects broader consumer unease. While inflation has moderated, prices for many goods remain higher than when Trump took office last January, blunting the impact of any macroeconomic improvement.
Jobs and Health Care Also See Lower Marks
On job creation, Trump’s second-term ratings also lag behind memories of his first term. Just over half of Republicans say he has helped create jobs this time around, compared with 85 percent who said the same when evaluating his first term. Only 26 percent now say he has helped “a lot” on employment.
Health care costs are another weak spot. About one-third of Republicans say Trump has helped reduce health care expenses at least “a little,” down from 53 percent in the previous poll. The issue has become more acute since federal health care subsidies expired on January 1, leading to sharply higher premiums for millions of Americans.
Ryan James Hughes, a 28-year-old children’s pastor from Waxahachie, Texas, said his family has seen no relief in medical bills. Still, he downplayed government responsibility. “I’m not looking to the government to secure my financial future,” Hughes said.
Immigration Remains Trump’s Strongest Issue
Despite economic dissatisfaction, Trump continues to perform strongly among Republicans on immigration. About eight in ten Republicans say he has helped at least “a little” with immigration and border security in his second term, a figure comparable to assessments of his first term.
Most Republicans believe Trump has struck the right balance on deportations, though about one-third say he has not gone far enough. Still, approval among Republicans on immigration has slipped, falling from 88 percent last March to 76 percent in the new poll.
Kevin Kellenbarger, a 69-year-old retiree from Lancaster, Ohio, supports Trump’s immigration crackdown despite expressing concern over a recent fatal incident involving a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. “I don’t like anybody getting killed, but it wasn’t Trump’s fault,” he said, adding that immigration enforcement was necessary after what he described as lax policies under former president Joe Biden.
At the same time, some Republicans expressed discomfort with aggressive enforcement tactics. Liz Gonzalez, a 40-year-old rancher from Palestine, Texas, and the daughter of Mexican immigrants, voiced sympathy for families affected by deportations. “These families are just here to try to live the American dream,” she said, while also arguing that enforcement efforts should not be obstructed.
Among Americans overall, Trump’s immigration approval remains low, with just 38 percent approving and 61 percent disapproving.
Loyalty Holds Despite Economic Frustration
Despite concerns over costs and health care, Trump’s grip on the Republican base remains firm. Roughly eight in ten Republicans approve of his overall job performance, compared with about four in ten Americans overall.
Interestingly, the poll reveals a divide between perceptions of national progress and personal wellbeing. About two-thirds of Republicans believe the country is better off under Trump, but only about half say their own family is better off.
That broader sense of national direction may be helping to sustain Republican support even as personal economic anxieties persist. Phyllis Gilpin, a 62-year-old Republican from Booneville, Missouri, praised Trump’s responsiveness while criticising his tone. “He is very arrogant,” she said, adding that she wished Americans could “just come together” beyond party lines.
A Base Still On Board—For Now
The AP-NORC poll suggests that Trump’s supporters are not fully getting what they hoped for on the economy during his second term. Yet immigration policy, cultural alignment, and a belief that the country is moving in the right direction continue to anchor Republican loyalty.
As Trump approaches the midpoint of his presidency, the challenge ahead may not be holding his base—but convincing them that tangible economic relief is still coming.
