Trump’s Economic Divide: Supporters Stay Loyal as National Insecurity Spreads

In the opening half-year of President Donald Trump’s second term, the American public expresses a complex and often contradictory set of views regarding national economic direction. Trump returned to office with sweeping ambitions: to combat inflation, dismantle bureaucratic inefficiencies and overhaul the global trade system. His administration has been characterised by high-profile interventions including tariff expansions, deep federal budget contractions and aggressive deregulation which has been carried out largely through executive authority. Yet, emerging data suggest that while trust in his economic stewardship endures among core supporters, economic security remains shaky for broad sections of the electorate.

Enduring Confidence Among Core Supporters

When asked about their confidence in Trump’s ability to improve economic conditions for the average American, 48% of respondents in our latest poll express some level of confidence, with 25% stating they are “very confident”. At first glance, this figure might suggest a measure of public endorsement. However, confidence is heavily skewed by partisan identification. Among 2024 Trump voters, a significant 84% report confidence in his leadership, with nearly half (49%) describing themselves as “very confident”. Conversely, among those who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, just 5% express any confidence, while a full 69% declare they are “not at all confident.”

This partisan division is shaped by recent executive actions. Within his first 100 days, Trump issued sweeping executive orders that restructured federal departments, slashed funding and bypassed Congress to fast-track economic reforms. While many of his supporters view these moves as signs of strong leadership, others interpret them as destabilising. The president’s unilateral tariff policy, first announced on “Liberation Day”, created shockwaves across markets. Stocks plunged, import prices rose and economists began warning of potential recessionary impacts. Despite these warnings, Trump’s core base remains loyal, viewing these changes as necessary corrections to an inefficient system.

The gender divide is equally apparent. Men (32%) express strong confidence in Trump’s economic agenda compared to just 18% of women. Meanwhile, 41% of women state they are “not at all confident,” compared to 31% of men. This divergence likely stems from differential impacts of the administration’s policies, including steep cuts to federally supported programs such as education and healthcare, services disproportionately relied upon by women. These cuts have been spearheaded by Elon Musk’s controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), itself a symbol of the administration’s radical approach to austerity.

Generational Fractures in Economic Perception

Generational patterns in economic confidence reveal a surprising reversal of traditional assumptions. Younger voters, historically less receptive to Trump’s political style, are showing comparatively stronger faith in his economic leadership. Among respondents aged 18–24, 27% are “very confident” in Trump’s handling of the economy, rising to 28% among those aged 25–34. In contrast, only 20% of those aged 55–64 express similar confidence.

This trend may be tied to the younger generation’s broader attraction to assertive leadership and clear ideological vision. Trump’s tariff-heavy economic strategy, announced with sweeping rhetoric on “Liberation Day” and positioned as a tool for economic independence resonates with a cohort that came of age during political instability and economic uncertainty. For some, the clarity and boldness of Trump’s economic direction offers a sense of control in an otherwise volatile world.

Older voters, on the other hand, have lived through past tariff regimes and are more likely to recall their unintended consequences. Coupled with fiscal tightening and deregulation, many older Americans, particularly those reliant on pensions, Medicare or fixed incomes, view the current administration’s economic shake-up with skepticism. This is reflected in the economic security data: while 23% of 18–24 year-olds feel “very secure”, that number drops to just 15% among those 55-64.

The generational divide highlights not just differing material conditions but contrasting interpretations of economic risk and reward. Where younger voters may see disruption as opportunity, older Americans, shaped by different economic cycles, are more attuned to its dangers.

A Sense of Insecurity

Confidence in leadership does not always translate into perceived economic wellbeing. Mirroring the recent volatile stock market behaviour, voters across the board have reported a greater sense of financial insecurity. Of the respondents, 33% report feeling “very insecure” while an additional 18% feel “somewhat insecure”. Only 21% feel “very secure”, revealing a national economic outlook steeped in uncertainty.

Among Trump’s 2024 supporters, 80% say they feel either very or somewhat secure, whilst only 13% report feeling insecure. Among Harris voters, insecurity is pronounced: 63% say they feel “very insecure” and just 4% feel “very secure”. The disaffection extends to non-voters as well with 36% reporting “very insecure” financial conditions.

Much of this insecurity can be traced to the administration’s aggressive cuts and

deregulation. With Elon Musk leading a “chainsaw” campaign to slash federal budgets, agencies once seen as essential by many Americans have been hollowed out. Town hall meetings across the country have seen constituents confront lawmakers over disappearing services, especially Medicare, Social Security and veterans’ benefits. This rollback of the social safety net is mirrored in the polling, where majorities of women and older American voters report economic stress.

Gender differences persist in this domain. Only 14% of women report feeling “very secure” under Trump, compared to 27% of men. Simultaneously, 38% of women declare they feel “very insecure”, underscoring a structural economic gap that aligns with the administration’s rollback of welfare provisions. Age-based trends continue: the middle-aged cohort (45–64), often balancing caregiving, mortgage and retirement planning, reports the highest levels of insecurity (39% of those aged 55-64). This group is also among the most vulnerable to disruptions from rising interest rates and healthcare costs.

Household Economic Sentiment Reflects Broader Concerns

When asked to assess their household’s financial security, the results mirror personal assessments. Only 20% of respondents report feeling “very secure” about their family’s economic situation, while 33% say they feel “very insecure”. For Trump voters, confidence is relatively higher with 39% describing their household situation as “very secure.” In contrast, a mere 4% of Harris voters say the same and 62% report feeling “very insecure”.

The data paints a portrait of a nation divided not only along political lines but also in lived economic experience. While belief in President Trump’s economic leadership remains resilient among his base, it has not translated into widespread perceptions of personal or household security. Younger voters display unexpected optimism but older demographics, those most dependent on governmental stability, report disproportionate financial stress.

These findings pose strategic risks for the administration. A political brand built on strength, efficiency and economic revival must contend with the everyday realities of voters who feel materially insecure. Unless tangible improvements manifest across a wider spectrum of the electorate, Trump’s economic mandate may struggle to sustain its legitimacy.

Download the data tables for this poll.