Economic Confidence Under Trump: Trust, Priorities and a Divided Electorate

In his second term, President Donald Trump has moved swiftly and decisively to reshape the federal government and the American economy. From slashing public spending and imposing tariffs to reorganising key institutions, his approach has been as disruptive as it is deliberate. Whether hailed as a bold leader restoring American strength or criticised as a destabilising force, Trump’s political and economic agenda is once again redefining the public conversation. But as sweeping changes unfold in Washington, American voters have been reflecting on the issues most affecting their families and how much faith they place in the president to address them. The data paints a polarised picture: while economic concerns remain dominant, views diverge sharply along demographic and political lines.

Economic Anxiety Dominates the Agenda

When asked what issue most affects their family right now, 44% of Americans in our latest poll identified the economy and jobs, by far the most cited concern. The next highest was healthcare, chosen by 25% of respondents, followed by crime and safety (10%) other issues (10%), immigration (7%) and education (4%).

This overwhelming focus on the economy mirrors the high stakes of Trump’s second-term agenda. His tariff regime, unveiled on what he dubbed “Liberation Day”, sparked short-term market instability and rattled investor confidence, though he maintains the long-term goal is to restore American manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports. Meanwhile, the Musk-led campaign to cut federal budgets has hollowed out numerous public services, from education to public health, fueling concerns among voters who rely on these institutions. In this context, it is unsurprising that a plurality of Americans are focused not just on ideological battles but on tangible, day-to-day economic pressures.

However, even among those naming the economy as their top issue, there are important splits. Men and women were equally likely to list it (both 44%) but age played a key role: support for the economy as a top concern peaks among those aged 45–54 (51%) and remains high among the 35–44 and 55–64 cohorts (47%). This suggests that working-age Americans, those more directly impacted by job market disruptions, wage stagnation and cost-of-living changes, are the most attuned to Trump’s economic policies, whether positively or negatively.

By contrast, older Americans, those aged 65+, appear slightly less concerned about the economy (35%), despite being more exposed to shifts in healthcare costs and fixed incomes. Among the youngest voters aged 18–24, just 39% selected the economy as their top issue, pointing to a more diversified set of concerns or perhaps a generational sense of economic

resilience.

Healthcare and Crime Reflect Divided Experiences

The second most pressing concern for voters is healthcare, cited by 25% of respondents. Here too, divisions emerge as women are more likely than men to prioritise healthcare (26% vs. 24%) and those who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 are far more likely to rank it highly (28%) compared to Trump voters (23%). This reflects the broader ideological divide over the future of social services in the U.S., particularly as Trump and congressional Republicans continue to target cost-cutting measures that critics warn could dismantle programmes like Medicare.

Crime and safety, meanwhile, rank third, named by 10% overall. Support is highest among the 25–34 age group (13%) and among Trump voters (12%), indicating that law-and-order rhetoric may still resonate strongly within segments of the Republican base. Notably, immigration, long a central issue for Trump’s political identity, ranks as the most important issue for just 7% of respondents, though this rises to 11% among Trump supporters, well above the national average.

Finally, Education concerns remain peripheral by comparison, with just 4% citing education as their family’s most important issue. Despite recent battles over school curricula, education appears secondary in the face of more immediate economic and healthcare worries.

Trust in Trump: A Nation Split

Having identified the issues that matter most to them, respondents were then asked whether they trust President Trump to handle those challenges. The results reveal a nation sharply divided, less along specific issue lines and more across partisan and demographic boundaries.

Only 23% of Americans say they completely trust Trump to address their top family concern, while 25% say they somewhat trust him. On the other hand, 36% say they completely distrust him and another 12% say they somewhat distrust him. In total, that leaves 48% of voters expressing at least some level of trust, while another 48% report some degree of distrust, an exact split that mirrors the broader polarisation of U.S. politics.

Gender plays a decisive role in shaping trust. While 29% of men say they completely trust Trump, only 16% of women feel the same. Women are more likely to express complete distrust (41%) compared to men (31%), suggesting that Trump’s messaging may be resonating far more with male voters, especially when tied to economic or security issues.

The age divide is similarly pronounced. Trust is highest among the 25–34 age group, with 31% saying they completely trust the president. Among those aged 55–64 and 65+, trust is considerably lower, with only 17% and 19% respectively expressing complete trust. This generational contrast might reflect younger voters’ attraction to Trump’s assertive leadership style and willingness to disrupt the status quo, particularly on issues like trade and deregulation, while older voters remain more cautious, having seen the long-term fallout of previous periods of economic upheaval.

Among 2024 Trump voters, support remains solid: 43% say they completely trust him and 40% somewhat trust him, a combined total of 83% expressing trust. By contrast, only 5% of Kamala Harris voters completely trust him and 70% express complete distrust. This reinforces the extent to which Trump’s second term remains dependent on base mobilisation, rather than any form of bipartisan consensus.

The data makes one thing clear: Trump’s economic revolution is being carried out in an environment of intense political scrutiny and fragile public trust. While economic issues are clearly front-of-mind for a majority of voters, only a minority fully trust Trump to deliver results on those very issues. With market volatility lingering and the effects of government cuts becoming more visible, public opinion is likely to remain fluid in the months ahead.

For now, Trump’s claim to economic stewardship rests on a narrow coalition of loyalists. Whether he can build broader trust or whether discontent will harden as policies take effect may prove decisive in shaping the rest of his presidency.

Download the data tables for this poll.