A recent analysis from Impact Social, which was shared with Newsweek, suggests that President Donald Trump’s appeal among crucial swing voters has declined as his new tariff policies come into effect.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment on Saturday.
Why It Matters
Exit polls conducted after the election indicated that Trump secured a substantial lead among swing voters in the 2024 election. This was particularly evident in the pivotal swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, which shifted from voting for Trump in 2016 to supporting President Joe Biden in 2020, only to revert to the Republican president in last year’s election.
Economic concerns and inflation were paramount for voters during the November presidential election. While Trump and his supporters argue that the new tariffs will ultimately bolster the U.S. economy, the majority of economists predict they will lead to heightened inflation and potentially trigger a recession.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
On Wednesday, which Trump referred to as “Liberation Day,” he declared that he would implement higher tariff rates on numerous nations that maintain trade surpluses with the U.S.
During his speech at the White House, Trump announced a baseline tariff of 10 percent on imports from almost all countries and “reciprocal” tariffs on others, revealing a chart highlighting increased duties on some of the U.S.’s most significant trading allies.
While certain nations will only incur the 10 percent baseline, many others face tariffs exceeding 30 percent and even surpassing 40 percent. Trump claims these tariffs will be borne by the foreign nations, yet most economists and analysts assert that the costs will inevitably be passed on to consumers, resulting in significant price hikes for various imported goods.
A new report from Impact Social shared with Newsweek indicates that swing voters’ perceptions of Trump have worsened due to his tariff strategies.
“After maintaining a steady sentiment score of -12 for a month, Trump’s net sentiment among swing voters has dropped to -15—a clear indication that recent events are starting to resonate,” the report stated.
It added: “This change is primarily driven by the introduction of new tariffs, which have quickly become the focal point in swing voter discussions. A total of 38 percent of negative sentiment is now linked to tariffs, divided between general concern (25 percent) and anxiety about personal financial impact (13 percent). Conversations are increasingly centering on how tariffs may elevate prices, disrupt local economies, and threaten job security—shifting the focus from political rhetoric to tangible consequences.”
This new analysis corroborates public polling data, showing a decline in voter confidence regarding Trump’s economic management.
A late March survey of 1,021 adults conducted by Milwaukee’s Marquette Law School revealed that 45 percent of Republicans view the economy as excellent or good, while 46 percent consider it “not so good,” with an additional 9 percent categorizing it as “poor.”
Furthermore, a majority of adults (58 percent) believe Trump’s policies will lead to increased inflation, with the proportion of Republicans who think the president will reduce inflation dropping from 76 percent in December to 62 percent in March.
Trump’s overall job approval has remained largely stable from January to March, currently sitting at 46 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval. Support among Republicans has decreased from 89 percent in January to 87 percent now. In independent voters, approval fell from 37 percent to 32 percent, while it increased slightly among Democrats from 9 percent to 10 percent.
What People Are Saying
Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, stated on Fox Business on Friday: “I’m receiving numerous reactions from businesses and farmers in Wisconsin who are very worried about the current situation. Those are the facts. My role is to convey this reality to the administration and inform them how these actions are affecting my constituents; ultimately, it’s up to President Trump and his team to decide how long they will pursue this path.”
Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who collaborates with the Democratic Party, issued a statement to Newsweek on Friday: “We require a logical, well-considered, and equitable trade policy. Trump’s blanket tariffs are not a viable solution. We do not need a sweeping and arbitrary sales tax on imported goods that will drive up prices on products essential for Americans. Our focus should be on reducing prices, not making them outrageously high.”
President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Friday: “Big business isn’t concerned about the tariffs because they recognize they are here to stay; their attention is directed toward the BIG, BEAUTIFUL DEAL that will SUPERCHARGE our economy. This is very important and is happening right now!!!”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, remarked on X, previously known as Twitter, on Wednesday: “These tariffs will reestablish fair and reciprocal trade, leveling the playing field for American workers and innovators. The President comprehends that FREE trade ONLY works when it’s FAIR!”
What Happens Next?
Trump and his supporters have consistently stated that there may be some temporary economic “disruptions,” but that tariffs will ultimately yield benefits for the U.S. economy and its citizens.
Responses from trading partners to the newly instated tariffs have varied, with some announcing reciprocal actions, while others are opting to delay or negotiate with the Trump administration for lower rates.
At the same time, the stock market experienced a downturn over the past week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 1,500 points on two consecutive days for the first time in history. The average fell more than 2,200 points on Friday after a drop of over 1,600 points on Thursday.
