Many voters who supported Donald Trump in the presidential election have concerns about him. His win relied on people questioning his character, policies, or both.
Surveys from Election Day show that a notable number of Trump voters worried he is too extreme, dishonest, or might lead the country toward authoritarianism. Some also opposed key policies, like his plan to deport large numbers of undocumented immigrants. Yet, these concerns were outweighed by dissatisfaction with Joe Biden’s presidency and belief that Trump would handle issues like inflation, crime, and immigration better.
Whether Trump maintains the support of these conflicted voters depends on his performance. If he improves the economy, secures the border, and boosts public safety, Republicans could solidify gains among young White men, Black men, and Latinos. As his pollster Jim McLaughlin said, “If he delivers success, the Republican coalition will grow.”
This time Trump starts in a stronger position. His popular vote win gives his presidency more legitimacy, and many voters are hopeful he will improve their finances. Unlike in 2016, Republican leaders now mostly back him, and his conservative Supreme Court majority may support his agenda. However, if he fails to address top voter concerns like the cost of living, his conflicted supporters may lose faith.
Voters Unease About Trump
Both exit polls and surveys show Trump won over voters who had doubts about him. For example, about 1 in 8 voters who called him “too extreme” still supported him. Trump also gained votes from people who disagreed with some of his key policies, like mass deportation or banning abortion.
Trump won notable support even among Latinos and women who opposed these policies. This was a slight increase from 2020, suggesting some voters prioritized economic issues over policy disagreements. Without these conflicted voters, Trump could not have won.
Economic Concerns Overcame Doubts
The main reason Trump succeeded with hesitant voters was their dissatisfaction with the economy. Many believed Trump could improve their financial situation. Pollster Molly Murphy explained that these voters often set aside concerns about his character or policies because they prioritized issues like inflation and crime.
Exit polls showed that Trump won one-third of voters who said he was “too extreme” but felt financially worse off since he left office. Similarly, he gained support from those who thought he lacked moral character but viewed the economy as poor.
Abortion and Economic Priorities
The role of abortion in the election shifted compared to previous years. Some voters believed Trump wouldn’t push for a national abortion ban, which eased concerns. But most importantly, economic worries took precedence. Many pro-choice voters, especially working-class White women, backed Trump because they believed he could improve the economy.
Risks for Trump
Once in office, Trump risks alienating conflicted supporters if he prioritizes controversial policies over economic improvements. Moves like pardoning January 6 rioters or restricting abortion access could erode trust.
Pollster Whit Ayres warned that focusing on divisive agendas could quickly harm Trump’s approval ratings. If voters feel he is failing on key issues, it could damage Republican prospects in future elections.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s success depends on delivering economic results. If voters see their lives improve, they may overlook other concerns. However, if he fails, their doubts could resurface, weakening his support and hurting the GOP in the 2026 and 2028 elections. As Ayres put it, “Performance matters. It drives approval, and approval drives votes.”