With blind loyalty, President Donald Trump’s supporters have remained concerningly unbothered by scandals, crimes and broken campaign promises. His avid champions never strayed away and kept approval ratings high, until now.
A recent CNN report showed that Trump’s ratings were finally sinking — at an alarming rate, too. According to the video, 42% of Americans thought the economy was getting worse in November, and now 53% of Americans are noticing the same trend. Also, 54% of Americans think Trump is responsible for the current economic state compared to 21% that blame former President Joe Biden. In January, 48% of Americans were in favor of Trump’s tariff plan. Now, 58% of Americans actually oppose it.
These striking statistics regarding everything from the state of the economy to tariff plans expose some of Trump’s more severe weak points: not being able to keep campaign promises and blatant lying. Despite ongoing DEI issues, deportation concerns and the state of the federal workforce, it was always going to take a sinking economy to open the eyes of many voters, and now it’s here.
Economic issues have a tendency to fall to the top of voters’ and presidents’ priority lists because these issues affect everyone. Unfortunately, in a country that has proven to lack a sense of empathy for others, issues that impact everyone — positively or negatively — are going to be the most important. Trump knows this, and he played into it during his campaign.
Lloyd Doggett, a Democratic representative from Texas, clipped several of Trump’s campaign promises regarding the economy on his website. These quotes include, “Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again, to bring down the prices of all goods,” and “A vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper.”
Ending inflation and making groceries cheaper are just two of Trump’s economic lies. Grocery prices are rising, and there isn’t an end in sight. Experts are continuing to prove his rhetoric and random speech wrong with actual proof and evidence of the current state of the economy.
According to CNN, “Shoppers can expect to see prices rise on seafood, coffee, fruit, cheese, nuts, candy bars and other imported foods, according to experts. Items that contain ingredients and packaging like plastic and aluminum from other countries will also be hit.”
The increase of these items is largely due to Trump’s tariff plan, which he has insisted will only help the country. According to the AP, “Most economists say Trump’s tariffs would hurt the country, as they’re tax increases that could raise the costs of goods in ways that could also harm economic growth.”
Trump’s rapidly sinking approval rates are directly tied to the tanking economy, and his loyal base is beginning to notice his patterns and the way the economy is personally affecting them. Trump’s once unwaveringly loyal supporters must continue to call on him and prove that he cannot get away with blatant lies regarding economic promises. He is not a hero, and he is finally not being viewed as such.
Layne Rey is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Layne know by tweeting her @laynerey12.
