With Donald Trump’s administration approaching its 100-day milestone, his supporters are eager to tell you all about the greatness of his policies and administrative prowess so far. Fortunately for his supporters, there are compelling reasons to think that Trump is serious about advancing their interests. Yet many others lament the lack of transparency in his process and the tangible outcomes of his decisions.
For years, this administration has cultivated a blind, intense loyalty among their supporters. His supporters earnestly feel that he embodies their principles and addresses their issues. None, though, are as memorable as Ben Maurer. He cites Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs and bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S. as key driving factors behind his vote. Maurer continues to welcome Trump’s quick moves to implement tariff policies.
“Trump has earned back the respect [for the US],” – Ben Maurer
On net, Trump’s tariffs have hit nearly every country. From our closest allies, such as Canada and Mexico through to our adversaries, like China, these tariffs have bitten. As part of its strategy, the U.S. has imposed a 10% tariff on all imports. China experiences some of the most punitive measures, including a mind-boggling 145% levy on products shipped to the U.S. This has led to a first of its kind and wide-ranging response from champions and economists on both sides.
Supporter Jeremy Stevens, 45, says that the majority of anxiety over the tariffs is a result of a “misunderstanding.” He asserts there is a “perception out there about the impact of these policies that is short-sighted.” Despite the pushback, Trump’s supporters love his tough guy tariff approach to get a better deal on trade.
Economists are increasingly raising alarms about the unintended consequences of these policies. They warn that there is a 40% chance of a recession in the U.S., citing that Trump’s inconsistent tariff strategies may lead to economic instability. Professionals are rolling their eyes at the yo-yo quality of his policy. These sorts of unpredictability, they explain, can result in huge expenses.
June Carey, one of the remaining supporters, expresses her sadness at the lack of predictability that Trump has unleashed. She characterizes him as “a bit more aggressive and a little bit more erratic than I expected.” She tries to remain encouraging, but she confesses to being discouraging about people like Elon Musk. “Musk is just one of those people I can’t read,” she says.
So while many of Trump’s supporters are happy about his agenda, other supporters are very concerned. Amanda Sue Mathis endorses Trump for 2024. That’s because she thinks he’s the best candidate by far to address America’s biggest challenges. She admits that her support is not without caveats.
“I’m not one of those people who is always for Trump,” – Amanda Sue Mathis
Mathis raises concerns about potential cuts to social security, questioning the rationale behind such decisions in light of other spending cuts that have saved the government significant amounts.
On immigration policy, Luiz Oliveira the impacts of Trump’s Administration’s hard line approach to undocumented immigrants. He interprets Trump’s message as one asserting control over national borders: “This is my house, my yard, and you’re not going to stay here.” This type of rhetoric is music to the ears of his supporters who want tougher immigration enforcement.
At the U.S.-Mexico border, recent statistics indicate a notable decline in encounters between migrants and U.S. border agents, reaching a four-year low. This decrease aligns with Trump’s hardline approach and reinforces his supporters’ view that he is effectively managing immigration issues.
Supporters, such as Maurer, are quick to stress that even with those headwinds, America is still an undeniable global leader. He states, “We are still the force to be reckoned with,” reflecting a sense of confidence in Trump’s leadership.