Research Tag: Navigating the Vote

Mother Knows Best: Why Moms Regret Voting for Trump

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

One-in-four Americans who voted for President Trump in 2024 now regret their choice. More than one-in-five (22%) moms who voted for President Trump now regret their vote compared to just 13% of dads. 

The War with Iran and Rising Prices Fuel Trump Regret

When asked about their Trump regret, many of these moms pointed to the war with Iran and the surge in prices it has caused in their daily lives. In our survey, a majority of moms disapprove of President Trump’s handling of Iran and other foreign policy issues (-30 net approval, 28% approve – 58% disapprove), six points lower than Americans overall (-24 net approval, 34% approve – 58% disapprove). 

Moms also disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living (-61 net approval, 17% approve – 78% disapprove), more so than dads (-35 net approval, 31% approve – 66% disapprove).

  • “The biggest thing people talk about are prices. That’s the economy, stupid, as they say. It’s the pocketbook issues. It’s that kind of thing that people discuss. And some people say they keep blaming the war. That is really the biggest thing that I feel is why I regret having voted for him.” – White mom, 47, FL, Trump regretter
  • “There’s people I know personally struggling to buy groceries. When you do work, the price that you get paid is not balancing what you’re purchasing, so I just feel like we’re drowning, and it only started when Trump got in office. I was fully a diehard fan of Trump. Now I feel like I regret voting for him.” – White mom, 47, TX, Trump regretter
  • “But if you’re looking at the gas prices versus if I’m going to see a nuclear bomb happen, I’m more concerned with my gas prices than I am with the nuclear bomb, to be honest.” – White mom, 47, FL, Trump regretter

These moms are tired of what they view as a corrupt, self-dealing administration.

  • “[W]hat we have in this term is a president who is unencumbered by the laws, does not respect our country, is maliciously self-dealing for him and his other interests of his friends, and every single thing that he’s done has been against tradition, against the law.” – White mom, 44, MI, Trump regretter

When asked to give Trump a letter grade for his second term, these moms mostly gave him failing grades.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Trump Gets Mostly Poor Grades

Cruel Immigration Enforcement Was a Turning Point for Many

This group of moms wants to see immigration enforcement and border security, but described Trump as taking it too far. A majority of moms (-25 net approval, 35% approve – 60% disapprove) disapprove of Trump’s handling of immigration issues, net 42 points lower than dads (+17 net approval, 58% approve – 41% disapprove). This was the only focus group of Trump regretters to organically mention the killing of Renee Good, who was a mother herself, multiple times. 

Slide from Navigator Research titled: While Wanting a Secure Border, Many Object to ICE's Tactics

Moms Disapprove of the People Around President Trump

These moms also expressed dislike for Trump’s political allies. In Navigator polling, Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kennedy have all been underwater with moms. 

Chart from Navigator Research titled: Trump Administration Officials are Underwater with Moms

Moms are particularly down on Vance—whom they described as “Trump’s twin,” “compromised,” and “corrupt”—and Hegseth, who one mom said “should have stayed on TV.” 

Trump Regret Does Not Equate to a Vote for Democrats with Many Feeling Ambivalent About Voting or That Their Vote May Not Matter

Regret does not automatically equate to support for Democrats. Some were openly conflicted about who to vote for, or even whether to vote at all, in 2026, and few were predicting their 2028 vote through a Trump lens.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Views are Mixed on Voting - Some are More Motivated, Others Despondent and Frustrated

Some are less motivated to vote than others, with more than one mom framing it as a choice between the “lesser of two evils.”

  • “I’m also tired of choosing the lesser of two evils instead of choosing someone that I truly have faith in and support.” – White mom, 39, OH, Trump regretter
  • “Even though I don’t like him [Democratic candidate for Senate Roy Cooper], he is the lesser of two evils. That’s how I perceive him to be, although I don’t like him. So I’ll probably vote for him. And then the same with the presidency.” – White mom, 43, NC, Trump regretter

Safety and Quality of  the Food They Feed Their Families is Something They Confront Every Day

Shifting topics, when asked generally about health and wellness, moms shared concerns about the safety and quality of the food they’re feeding their families. Most reported spending considerable time researching and planning around food and health.

  • “I think about it daily, not only just about health visits, wellness checkups, the ingredients in food, processed food, what we’re feeding them. And to go into a grocery store is overwhelming, not just prices. It’s like I’m almost staying away from the middle of the grocery store and it’s driving me crazy.” – White mom, 47, TX, Trump regretter
  • “I’m looking to have my daughter not eat all these processed foods. I refuse to have her do the lunch school food because I don’t think that it’s healthy for her, and she has an autoimmune disease… I think about, how am I going to feed her better? Why did she get an autoimmune disease? It’s all in the food that we’re eating.” –  White mom, 47, FL, Trump regretter
  • “[I]f you do want to buy more healthier and pure, if you go to a farmer’s market, it’s like four times the price.” – White mom, 47, TX, Trump regretter

Some, but not all moms, blamed the Trump administration for removing food safety infrastructure.

  • “[T]he guardrails for the safety committees has been stripped by, Elon Musk’s DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency], and by this administration not really caring. If it’s going to make them money, they’ll take every safety system that is for us. They don’t care.” – White mom, 44, MI, Trump regretter

Others said that someone needs to take on the big food companies at large.

  • “I just feel like food is such a business in the US. It’s such a big business… [B]ut I don’t know if you can blame it on an administration or not. … I don’t know what the answer is, but I can’t pinpoint or finger point to Democrat or Republican, but it’s something that needs to be done and taken seriously.” – White mom, 49, OH, Trump regretter

Childcare and Eldercare Are Very Important to Some, While Less of a Priority for Others

Some moms also shared concerns about affording childcare and eldercare. While moms were mixed on whether candidates’ stances on childcare and eldercare would impact their vote, all shared doubts about lawmakers’ ability or willingness to bring down these costs.

  • “My daughter’s in fifth grade now, but at the time we were paying $1,200 a month for daycare.” – White mom, 47, FL, Trump regretter
  • “[W]hen you talk about senior care, I do some senior care and it’s crazy. My father-in-law right now, he has the means, but he’s spending $15,000 a month on care. He has dementia and he gets top care. It’s not fair for people who don’t have the money to not get top care.” – White female, 49, OH, Trump regretter

Moms Want Elected Leaders to be Responsive and to Deliver 

When asked how these moms would know if a candidate or elected official were fighting for them, responses included effective constituent services, lowering costs, and actually delivering on the issues their constituents care about most. One mom reminded everyone that, “actions speak louder than words.”

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Many Want to See Effective Constituent Services and a Focus on Issues Constituents Care About Most

Navigating the Vote: Buyer’s Remorse: Gen Z on Trump

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

While one-in-four Americans who voted for President Trump in 2024 now regret their choice, regret is even higher with younger Americans. More than a third (35%) of Gen Z who voted for Trump in 2024 now regret their vote, compared to 24% of millennials, 16% of Gen X, and 8% of baby boomers. 

Gen Z Trump Regretters are Particularly Wary of the Economy and Corruption

The economy stands out as the top grievance for young voters nearly two years into Trump’s second term. Among Gen Z, net approval of Trump’s handling of the economy sits at -39 points (29% approve – 68% disapprove). Gen Z Trump voters were expecting his second administration to bring economic relief, only to be let down.

  • “I just feel like nothing went correctly. I just feel like everything got worse, which I don’t know how that’s possible. The economy went down, just, like, every, every single thing got worse… Nothing went how it was supposed to go. Everything right now is just horrible.” – Black man, 29, FL, Trump regretter 
Slide from Navigator Research titled: The Economic Outlook Is Bleak

Jobs and the economy are consistently a top focus for Gen Z, with 50% saying they are among the most important issues for the president and Congress to focus on. The focus group participants shared this opinion while also expressing frustration with the job market. 

  • “I’m a college graduate, and it’s so hard to get in my career field with no experience… And I feel like that’s a big problem in the economy. We going to school, paying all this money to go to college, get degrees, and when it’s time to find a good job in this economy, we can’t. Like, it’s just… I feel like it’s not enough.” – OH woman, 25, Trump regretter 
  • “Here I am, gonna graduate with my degree in tech soon, and everybody who recently has graduated is struggling beyond, like, recognition.” – White man, 26, SC, Trump regretter 

Their disappointment with Trump goes beyond the economy. These regretters also point to broken promises and corruption, including the handling of the Epstein files.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Trump's Grades Are Weak, And "Breaking Promises" Looms Large

Notably, this was the only focus group with Trump regretters where Israel and AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) funding was brought up organically. The topic did not come up in the other two groups. 

  • “[Trump] cares more about foreign affairs than American people.” – Latino woman, 26, TX, Trump regretter
  • “In the last couple of years, probably since this Israel-Hamas war began, I feel like a lot of people have been exposed by both sides of the political aisle for getting funding from AIPAC… I think that Israel, I think we’ve helped them a little bit enough, and I think that they need to not rely on us so much… We’re pretty far away from Israel, last time I checked.” – Black man, 25, TX, Trump regretter

When having conversations with loved ones regarding Trump and regretting their vote, they are met with mixed reactions.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: "Regret" Conversations With Friends Have Mixed Results

Regretters Head into the Midterms Divided and Unsure, but Some Willing to Give Democrats a Chance

Going into the midterms in less than a month, these Gen Z Trump regretters are feeling confused, with several describing the upcoming election as “a mess.” 

  • “I just feel like I voted for the first time in the last election… I wasn’t happy with my vote, but it’s hard making a vote, especially when stuff is so complicated right now… I don’t know how I’m gonna figure it out. I try to keep up with stuff and do my research, but I’m new to my area, too, so that makes it harder.” – White woman, 20, SC, Trump regretter

These regretters are split on who they will vote for. Despite being unhappy with Trump’s performance, three are still planning on voting Republican. One participant from Texas cited the Republican candidates in his state as having more experience, and another from South Carolina cited feeling more in line with GOP policies. Another regretter from Ohio is still undecided, but is leaning Republican. 

However, around half of the participants plan to vote for Democrats in the midterms. They see Democrats as agents of change and are willing to give them a chance to correct Trump’s broken promises. 

One Texas voter is planning on voting blue for both the gubernatorial and Senate race, explaining his thinking:

  • “Mostly for change. Mostly to get something different than I did in the previous election. You know, people who can tackle the economy and the hunger crisis more.” – Black male, 29, TX, Trump regretter

Another participant wants to see what would happen if Democrats control the Senate: 

  • “I think just the principle of seeking change. Well, I’d be curious to see, like, what track will we be on if a different party was in power at this moment in time. You know, from an economic standpoint and any other standpoint.” – MS male, 21, Trump regretter

Another echoed the sentiment of giving Democrats a chance to prove themselves.

  • “I’m willing, you know, I’m willing to give the other side a chance, see how that works. I don’t think they’re gonna make a total change, but things are just horrible right now for me, so I feel like even if they make one or two small changes, it will probably benefit me.” – Black male, 29, FL, Trump regretter

Gen Z had varying perceptions of the Democratic Party, ranging from intelligent to lacking real leadership. Participants were asked which animal they thought represented the Democratic Party.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Dolphins, Chameleons, And Chihuahuas Can Illustrate The Democratic Party

Gen Z is Using AI Almost Every Day and for Almost Everything, But Have Serious Concerns

When the group was asked who used AI almost every day, most raised their hands. Participants are using AI for scheduling outside of work, for their jobs, research, and summarizing information.

  • “I use AI every day for everything, like for work, to draft stuff, to send messages, to make it professional. I feel like AI will take over everything like grocery stores and jobs and learning, education, because all you have to do is type in one thing in AI and it’s going to pop up.” – OH woman, 25, Trump regretter

Despite their frequent use of AI, Gen Z is keenly aware of its drawbacks and negative consequences.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Many Worry About AI Causing Problems Like Weaker Critical Learning And Job Loss

Gen Z participants strongly support strict AI regulations, particularly when it comes to generative AI. They want to see real guardrails in place from the government and other major players.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: And Trump Symbolizes Weak AI Guardrails And Proximity To "Tech Bros"

Gen Z Feels Priced Out of the American Dream 

Many participants feel that the American Dream is out of reach. Compared to their parents’ generation, they feel navigating the economic landscape is more difficult, especially when it comes to home ownership and finances. Still, they feel there are advantages to growing up in the modern age. 

Slide from Navigator Research titled: For Most, The American Dream Seems Further Out Of Reach Than It Was For Their Own Parents

Even With Current Struggles, Gen Z is Resilient and Hopeful for the Future

Participants were asked to imagine writing a letter from their 50-year-old-selves to their current selves, and to imagine what the letter might say. Despite regrets and economic worries, Gen Z participants were hopeful about the future. 

  • “I will say that the time you’re living is a crucial point in American history, but over time, this country will become a bigger and stronger union and more united and less divisive.” – Black man, 25, TX, Trump regretter
  • “I would tell myself there will always be good days, there will always be bad days, but just be hopeful for the best.” – Black man, 29, TX, Trump regretter
  • “Even though what’s going on right now is difficult, things can always change later on. So just keep pushing and just keep on going.” – Black man, 29, FL, Trump regretter

Navigating The Vote: Don’t Catfish, Don’t Be a Mouse – Advice to Politicians from Black and Latino Trump Regretters

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

One-in-four Americans who voted for President Trump in 2024 now regret their choice. A third of Black (34%) and Latino (32%) Americans who voted for Trump now regret their vote, double the rate of white Trump voters (16%) who now regret their vote. While Trump made significant gains with Black and Latino Americans in 2024 – especially Black and Latino men – we now see these gains fracturing among this very group in the face of a deeply unpopular foreign war and skyrocketing prices at home.

Trump Regretters Are Feeling Anxious About the Country and “Catfished” by Political Candidates

20261014 Trump Regret Is Pervasive; Most Give Him Failing Or Near-Failing Grades Graphic

While sharing the reasons they regret their 2024 vote choice, these Black and Latino men say it stems deeply from a place of worry about the state of the country and economy. Almost all shared sentiments of anxiety, nervousness, or concern heading into this upcoming election.

  • “I’m concerned about the working middle class. Everything is so expensive. Trying to raise children with what’s going on in the world with war… Yeah, there’s no unity amongst people. So raising children in this kind of environment is really, it’s tough.”  – Latino man, 58, FL, Trump regretter

These men described feelings of betrayal because they voted for Trump in hope of better support for the middle class, but now see the country in a “downward spiral.” One describes being politically “catfished” by Trump and political candidates running today. 

  • “I voted for this administration twice, and I was betrayed the second time with no wars and great prices. And I hear them talking about the 401ks, how great they are, but it seems that mine is shrinking, so I don’t know what they’re talking about. ” – Latino man, 61, FL, Trump regretter
  • “Right now, the general feeling with everybody that I know, including myself, is that the country is in a downward spiral. I mean, at this point, with the wars, with the prices of gas, electricity, food, general housing, taking care of our kids going up…even if we do get new folks in, I only expect more infighting within the two parties to where things stay stagnant.” – Latino man, 39, TX, Trump regretter 
  • “I guess I will use the word ‘catfished,’ I had expectations, I thought things were gonna go a certain way…I was listening and paying attention, and I thought I knew I had an educated vote…I feel like I didn’t vote for him because I thought he was gonna be a great president…but I just felt like he would have been a better president than who else was running.” – Black man, 43, GA, Trump regretter 

War, Cost of Living, and Cruel Immigration Tactics Are the Biggest Drivers of Regret

High costs and expensive wars are among the top reasons why Trump voters overall regret their vote, and Black and Latino men strongly shared these sentiments. While these men voted for a second Trump term – many twice – we are now seeing real cracks in support due to Trump’s cost-raising policies. 

Black and Latino men see the far-reaching effects of the prolonged war with Iran: 

  • “Just because we weren’t really attacked, we went ahead and started it, but then after that he was saying, oh, this is gonna be over in a few hours, it’s gonna be over in a few days, but it’s ongoing, and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.”  – Latino man, 39, TX, Trump regretter 

They also experience the very real impacts of rising costs because of Trump’s broken promises: 

  • “I mean, he said he was not gonna go into wars…and then he started making cuts…I agree that we overspend on a lot of things, but now it’s becoming, like, ridiculous…there’s some things that, you know, he’s made cuts on and it’s affecting the middle class and people below the middle class as well.” – Latino man, 35, TX, Trump regretter 
  • “Both parties that was running on the promise to do better for the middle class…which is how he got in that position to be the president, off the backs of the very same people that he swore to help, but then as soon as he get in office, he did a total [180].” – Black man, 45, MS, Trump regretter
  • “It’s with healthcare costs. I mean, I have a special needs child and what we pay for health insurance, for therapies, medicines. Everything is a denial. You got to appeal everything and it’s very difficult… across the board it’s just ridiculous… I felt it in the last couple of years and I’ve seen the rates – how much they increase by – and it just becomes harder.” Latino man, 58, FL, Trump regretter 

While many of these men say they want to see immigration enforcement, when personally confronted with the cruel and indiscriminate tactics used by the Trump administration, it became fuel for their regret. 

  • “I have seen [immigration enforcement] in our community where I live…it’s so harsh and it’s really affecting families. I get it…as a country, we have immigration laws. But the way it’s being handled, and Trump doesn’t address that. He has been radio silent…you see people getting shot, you know, families being separated, and again, I’m for enforcing, but if someone is in a process, or they’re trying to get a certain visa or something else, and they’re doing it the right way, those people are the ones that are also being affected, you know? It’s like what happened to a country that’s welcoming to so many people of all different walks of life.” – Latino man, 58, FL, Trump regretter 
  • “I live at the border of Mexico… It’s always on the news that [ICE are] stopping people, separating families and things of that nature. Like I understand these were laws that were already in place…I think the way they’re doing it is a bit harsh to where they’re not pinpointing, let’s say criminals, but basically everybody.” – Latino man, 39, TX, Trump regretter
  • “I am a citizen…but when I leave my apartment, I worry that somebody’s gonna pull me over… it’s going to spiral out of control…these ICE people, they have no idea what they’re doing. Even me having my documentation in place, there’s a chance that they can actually take me away, and…really mess up my life for a mistake. That is the biggest thing, not only for me, but also everybody that’s around me.” – Latino man, 43, FL, Trump regretter

Even men whose lives were not directly impacted by ICE noted that simply witnessing the harsh enforcement made them rethink their vote. 

  • “I live in a multicultural neighborhood…and to see some of these families that have been living on my street for 10, 15 years being ripped apart like that, violently ripped apart, man, it’s just, I figured that it’s got to be a better way.” – Black man, 45, MS, Trump regretter 

However, despite these many reasons for regret, most of these men are hesitant to share their feelings of regret for Trump with others, often leading to feelings of isolation and further division. 

20261014 Discussing Regret With Others Is Stressful, Though Some View It As Important Graphic

Despite Regret, Black and Latino Men Are Not Necessarily Motivated to Vote Democrat – or Even At All

Regret and disappointment in President Trump for these men have not translated into broad support for Democrats in the upcoming election – or even motivation to participate at all in the midterms. 

Trump’s endorsement is backfiring in these battleground states for some Black and Latino Trump 2024 voters. In Florida, it’s propelled one Trump 2024 voter to unequivocally support Democrats this November: 

  • “President Trump said that he wanted the Republican [Byron Donalds] to be a governor in Florida…I always remember that comment that he said, so I am voting against him. I’m voting for the Democrat…I’m going Democrats…all the way.” – Latino man, 61, FL, Trump regretter 

In Georgia, the candidate choices are seen by one participant as bad vs. bad, which has fueled disillusionment with the electoral process: 

  • “The choices are, like I said earlier, it’s… bad against bad. There aren’t… and based on any research or anything that I’ve seen, neither one of them deserve my vote, so it’s overwhelming, and it’s confusing, and it’s discouraging.” – Black man, 43, GA, Trump regretter 

One participant from Texas was undecided but open to voting for a Democrat: 

  • “I’m more open to voting for a Democrat… I usually lean more towards the right, but with the direction the country’s been going, [the] current state with everything, the prices going up, and the wars, and then the different issues in regards to, let’s say, AI centers and data centers and things of that nature… Definitely taking more of a look into each candidate’s past, what their records are, things of that nature, and then voting based on that.” – Latino man, 39, TX, Trump regretter

Others became less motivated to vote in the upcoming midterms. They see our country as in crisis and don’t see the value of their vote, one participant stating that “sometimes I feel like we might be to the point of no return.” But that same man also shared: 

  • “Because more has happened, more issues have arose…I think that not doing anything is only going to add to the problem…we can’t just watch…you know, if you see a house on fire, you would call 911. I feel like we should call 911.” – Black man, 43, GA, Trump regretter 

Black and Latino Men Are Looking For Candidates Who Can Deliver, Not Just Be a Check on Trump

While they may regret their 2024 vote choice, when looking ahead to the upcoming election, these men are looking for a candidate who has their own point-of-view and is willing to actually deliver on a better life for Americans – regardless of race or party. When it comes to Democrats, one participant saw the Democratic Party as weak, but with potential.

20261014 Latino Man TX Trump Regretter Quote Graphic

Our Trump regretters said they are looking for candidates who can deliver for them, rather than candidates affiliated with a certain party. They don’t want someone who is a rubber-stamp to the Trump agenda, but also don’t want someone who is just going to oppose everything Trump does for the sake of–these voters are seeking someone who will deliver on their top issues.

20261014 A Trump Endorsement Isn't A Positive, As Many Are Not Looking For Trump Enablers Graphic

Corruption is a Priority, Just Not The Priority

Corruption consistently ranks as a top five issue for Americans nationally and as a top two issue in some battleground states. These men who now regret their vote see Trump as a key part of that corruption. 

One Latino man from Florida said, “the senators owning stocks and trading while in office for stocks, that to me, that’s corruption.” In response, one Black man from Mississippi stated, “With Trump doing it also and his children benefitting off of it and everybody around him benefiting off of it…meanwhile we sitting around here starving, we got to pay $6 of gas a gallon.”

However, many have an issue with corruption in government because of how difficult it is now for them to make ends meet. 

  • “I generally feel that pretty much almost every single politician in some way or form does something to better their position. I wouldn’t mind it if the country wasn’t in such a downward spiral.” – Latino man, 39, TX, Trump regretter

Black and Latino men in our group were also divided on who to blame for corruption – whether it’s systemic failures or individual bad actors.

20261014 Corruption Seen As Problematic – Although Mixed On If Systemic Or Individual Graphic

While one man believes that addressing corruption should be our elected leaders’ No. 1 priority, most feel that while it should be a priority, in the face of the current affordability crisis, there are “bigger fish to fry.”

20261014 Yet Investigations Are Not A Top-Tier Priority Compared To Addressing Rising Costs Graphic

Five Key Trends We’re Seeing: Trump Grows More Toxic as Regret Peaks and Americans’ Priorities Go Unanswered 

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

Overview:

As the final quarter of 2026 begins, Navigator is taking stock of trends we’ve seen in our data during President Trump’s second term. Across dozens of surveys and extensive qualitative research in battleground states, five clear themes have emerged. Below, we highlight the trends we’re seeing that have defined and shaped the current moment.

1) Trump Has Become More Toxic as One-in-Four Regret Their Vote

President Trump’s net job approval has dropped throughout the year, hitting its lowest point in Navigator tracking this month (-26 net approval, 36% approve – 62% disapprove). This is a net 19-point drop from the start of the year when his job approval was underwater by 14 points (42% approve – 56% disapprove in January).

Chart from Navigator Research titled Trump's Net Approval Fell From -14 in January to -26 in October

Views of Trump’s handling of the economy are nearly equally negative, with 65% disapproving (including 50% strongly) and 32% approving in our latest polling. 

Additionally, we’ve seen that one-in-four who voted for Trump in 2024 now regret their vote. Several key groups who made up Trump’s winning coalition in 2024 now say they regret their vote at a rate even higher than Americans overall. 

  • 30% of Trump voters 18-34 now regret their vote. This is nearly triple the rate of Trump voters over 55 (12%) and well above the rate for Trump voters 35-54 (18%). 
  • 34% of Black and 32% of Latino Americans who voted for President Trump now regret their vote, double the rate of white Trump voters (16%) who now regret their vote. 
  • 22% of moms who voted for President Trump now regret their vote compared to just 13% of dads. 

Some of the most oft-cited reasons for Trump regret include his handling of the war in Iran, the economy and his broken promises. 

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Drivers of Regret Include Broken Promises, Dragging the U.S. Into Foreign Conflicts Like the War With Iran, and High Costs

In focus groups, Trump regretters lament higher costs when promised lower prices, rising health care premiums, and yet another foreign war. 

2) A Persistent Gap in Focus

Americans want their leaders to focus on lowering costs. Consistently in Navigator’s polling, about three-in-five say the President and Congress should prioritize inflation and the cost of living, but only about one-in-five think President Trump and congressional Republicans are doing so. That double digit (approximately 40-point) gap echoes what we consistently hear in focus groups: Americans feel Trump and Republicans are focused on the wrong things.

Chart from Navigator Research titled: Costs and Inflation Remain Americans’ Top Priority, With Fewer Than One in Five Seeing Trump and GOP Focused on It

3) Americans Sour on Republican Policies 

Many of the policies enacted by Trump and Republicans in Congress remain unpopular, and their unpopularity has only grown over time. Issues they’ve either championed, like data center expansion, or blocked, like release of the Epstein files, are even more unpopular. 

  • Between January and June, the favorability of the GOP tax law (otherwise known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) dropped by 6 points from -14 (35% favorable – 49% unfavorable) to -20 (33% favorable – 53% unfavorable) even after the Trump administration sent cabinet officials across the country to tout their marquee legislative achievement. Even more unpopular than the bill itself are many of its components, including tax cuts for the rich and cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. 
  • On the war with Iran, six-in-10 Americans say they do not think the conflict has been worth it, including 37% who feel this way strongly. A growing share (62%, up from 56% in April when the war began) say Trump does not have a clear timeline and goals for the military operation. As gas prices have increased due to the war, 76% disapprove of Trump’s handling of them, including 60% who strongly disapprove. Only 20% approve.  
  • Views of tariffs reached a new low in Navigator tracking with 63% reporting an unfavorable view of tariffs in our September survey, up from only 35% who held an unfavorable view in August 2024. Two-thirds see tariffs as price-raising, including 64% of independents and 61% of non-MAGA Republicans. 
  • Opposition to data centers is growing rapidly, as three-in-five (58%) view data centers unfavorably and say they would not support the building of a data center in their local community (58%). Opposition to building a data center locally has grown from 32% in December 2025 to 58% in September 2026, a 26-point swing in only nine months.  
  • Less than three-in-10 Americans approve of how Trump has handled the Epstein files (28% approve – 60% disapprove). It’s an issue causing fractures within the Republican Party as more than a quarter of Republicans disapprove of how Trump has handled the Epstein files (28% disapprove). And 73% of Americans overall believe the government is covering up additional Epstein-related wrongdoing. 
  • A majority (55%) disapprove of the way Trump has handled immigration, which was previously a strength for him, compared to just 41% who approve. Similarly, ICE has remained unpopular throughout 2026. In January, the agency had a net approval of -20 (37% favorable – 57% unfavorable). In October, that net approval dropped to -27 (33% approve – 60% disapprove).

4) Trust in Republicans to Handle Key Issues Has Deteriorated

As Trump and Republicans in Congress continue to focus on unpopular policies, we’ve seen noteworthy shifts in which party Americans trust on several keys issues:

  • On jobs and the economy, a tie has become a Democratic lead. Party trust was even in January (38% Democrats – 38% Republicans), but by October, Democrats held a 10-point edge (42% Democrats – 32% Republicans).
  • On inflation and the cost of living, again, a tie has become a 17-point Democratic advantage on the issue. Trust was even in January (37% Democrats – 37% Republicans), but by October, Democrats led 43% to 26%.
  • Democrats have also moved from parity to an advantage on tariffs. In February, Americans were evenly split on which party they trust more to handle tariffs (37% Democrats – 37% Republicans). By September, Democrats led on the issue by 9 points (40% Democrats – 31% Republicans).
  • On national security and foreign policy, Republicans had a 12-point advantage on the issue (33% Democrats – 45% Republicans) in January. As of early October, Democrats have an 8-point advantage on handling foreign policy (40% Democrats – 32% Republicans).

The shifts in trust owe more to Republican declines than Democratic growth. Democrats have made gains on key issues (+4 on jobs and the economy, +6 on inflation and the cost of living, +3 on tariffs) but the movement away from trust in Republicans hasn’t solely translated to an equal increase in trusting Democrats: a growing number of Americans now say they trust neither party to handle the issue (20% jobs and the economy, 26% inflation and the cost of living, 22% tariffs trust neither party), demonstrating the pessimism and frustration we frequently hear in focus groups.

5) Americans are Connecting Government Corruption to Personal Costs 

Corruption isn’t just an abstract political issue for Americans, it’s a pocketbook one. Huge majorities across party lines say corruption in government is raising their costs personally (81%), with nearly half feeling this way strongly (48%). They’re blaming elected officials who allow waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars (82% raises costs), the protecting of monopolies and large corporations that price gouge consumers (82% raises cost), and allowing lobbyists and special interests to have more influence than ordinary people (77%). 

Americans are also opposed to and resentful of Trump’s expensive White House renovations, reflecting pool makeover, and self-aggrandizing projects. 

  • Two-in-three (66%) oppose Trump tearing down the East Wing of the White House and requesting $1 billion in taxpayer dollars for a new White House ballroom.
    • Even among Republicans, the ballroom is divisive, with 42% supportive of Trump’s actions and 42% opposed – though non-MAGA Republicans oppose it by 29 points (28% support – 57% oppose). 
  • Nearly six-in-ten (58%) report concerns awarding a no-competition contract to a favored company to repaint the Reflecting Pool in Washington.
  • Seven-in-10 say Trump’s face being included on special edition passports and the new $250 bill shows he’s focused on the wrong things.

The throughline in our data this year is broken promises and a disconnect with Americans’ priorities. Americans want action to lower their costs, and they see a president and party in power focused on the wrong things: unpopular price-raising policies, a costly war, and projects that feel self-serving as Medicaid and SNAP are cut. The result is a president at his lowest net approval this year, a Republican trust advantage on key issues that has largely eroded, and Americans increasingly trusting neither party to deliver for them. Until the gap between what Americans want and what leaders are focused on closes, it’s likely these trends persist.