On the first day of early voting in Atlanta, a person walked past a voting sign at the East Point Library. Frustrations with President Trump are shaping election plans nationwide. NPR analyzed the opinions of two online focus groups from Georgia. These groups included 12 voters who supported President Biden in 2020 and switched to Trump in 2024. Almost all expressed disappointment with Trump’s performance. Only one voter expressed satisfaction.
Charles P., a 43-year-old Democrat, said, “I’ve been disappointed. I don’t feel there’s any positive to this administration. Inflation worsened. Wars increased. Tariffs have failed. We have more enemies now than ever.” He participated anonymously, as did all focus group members.
Richard A., a 56-year-old Republican, echoed these sentiments. Unemployed for ten months, he highlighted several issues, including the food crisis, tensions with Iran, inflation, and immigration policies. “ICE immigration has just torn families apart,” he stated. “Everything has gone downhill.” These views reflect Trump’s declining approval ratings and dim midterm prospects for Republicans.
Despite Trump’s recent campaign efforts, which emphasized his record and urged Republicans to maintain control in Washington, insights from swing voters reveal shifting sentiments. These focus groups, held monthly in battleground states, are organized by Engagious and Nelson Recruiting, with NPR as a partner. While not statistically significant like polls, they provide valuable insights.
Rich Thau, president of Engagious, noted a significant shift. More swing voters now cite Trump as influencing their midterm vote. “Seven out of 12 said Trump would influence them to vote for Democrats,” he remarked, marking a new trend.
Karla S., a 49-year-old Democrat, switched her stance. “I did vote Republican for 2024, but I’ve been so disappointed. I’ll vote Democrat straight down the ticket,” she said. Cedric, a 41-year-old independent, expressed his disapproval of Trump-aligned politicians. “I’m looking for something different,” he confirmed.
Ten of the 12 participants plan to vote for Georgia’s Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, preferring a leader not aligned with Trump. Thau noted a belief among some voters that a Democratic-run Congress could stabilize the nation and the economy. Thomas M., a 65-year-old independent, expects a Democratic Congress to check Trump’s influence.
In contrast, respondents expressed concerns that a Republican retention of power would grant Trump more control. Jennifer W., a 43-year-old Republican, shared, “I worry Trump would have free rein.” These insights underline a potential shift among swing voters as midterms approach.