President Trump recently spoke at an event in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His financial disclosures show a significant increase in his wealth since returning to office. Last year, his family businesses reported earnings of $2.2 billion, much of which came from cryptocurrency. However, Pennsylvania voters express varied opinions on whether this is concerning, reflecting a general skepticism about politicians.
NPR observed two online focus groups with a total of 12 Pennsylvania voters. Opinions were split evenly; half found Trump’s increased wealth troubling, while the other half dismissed it. Todd A., a 62-year-old independent, remarked, “When it comes to ethics, moral and financial, I think that just about every politician is corrupt.” He described Trump as a “known huckster,” suggesting that this was known for years.
Rich Thau, president of messaging firm Engagious, moderated these focus groups. He noted, “The excuses that they gave, which is, you know, ‘This is the kind of thing that rich people do. They use money to make more money. All politicians do this kind of thing. They’re all corrupt…’ That’s the voice of extremely cynical voters whose expectations for politicians are remarkably low.” The focus groups, not scientific polling, offer insight into the feelings of key voters who supported Trump’s reelection.
Betsy D., a 48-year-old Republican, sees Trump’s behavior as typical for both businessmen and politicians. She stated, “I’m just not troubled by it because I just think it’s typical for politicians to increase their wealth while in office.” Ken J., a 44-year-old Republican, didn’t see Trump’s wealth increase as illegal. He noted Trump’s history as a businessman and acceptance of running his empire while in the presidency.
However, Bhavana G., a 54-year-old independent, views Trump’s earnings as an abuse of power, stating, “It is the president, Donald Trump, who’s using his powers in manipulative ways…that to me is morally wrong.” Another voter, Margaret M., expressed concern over undue influence from Trump’s business partners.
Other Key Takeaways
Politicians’ Health: After hearing about two congress members’ lengthy absences due to health issues, eight of 12 participants believe representatives should disclose ongoing health problems if absent for extended periods. Four participants valued privacy for members dealing with serious health concerns.
Iran Conflict: Seven of the 12 voters were aware of the U.S. reentering armed conflict with Iran. Only two participants feel confident that Trump will end the war by this year’s end.