If you happen to needed to describe how
Donald Trump’s second
time period goes in only one phrase,
what would it not be? If you happen to needed to describe
how Donald Trump’s second
time period goes in only one
phrase, what would it not be?
Linda, 50, Mich., white
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Afro-Latino
Jessica, 33, Conn., white
We’re practically one yr into President Trump’s second time period. 2026 has begun with a shocking motion in Venezuela to take away Nicolás Maduro and Mr. Trump threatening to take over Greenland. The midterm elections are simply months away, and polls present that People are dissatisfied with the financial system and sharply divided on the administration’s immigration coverage.
The overwhelming majority of Republicans say they approve of Mr. Trump’s efficiency. Their approval and disapproval of various features of his administration, nonetheless, can play a task in shaping the remainder of his time period in workplace, in addition to this yr’s midterm outcomes. For its newest focus group, Instances Opinion spoke with 11 Republican voters, who reported considerably or strongly approving of the president’s efficiency. We requested about what they like in regards to the second Trump administration, and what they don’t.
From tariffs to deportations and the administration’s current actions in Venezuela, this group mentioned they favored what they’re seeing. They expressed optimism in regards to the financial system and particularly appreciated his following by way of on what he had promised to do.
Nonetheless, individuals wish to see extra disclosure within the Jeffrey Epstein case. Two expressed dissatisfaction with the aggressiveness of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (This group was carried out earlier than the capturing in Minneapolis.) Almost everybody wished to see extra, not much less, oversight and even regulation from Republicans in the case of synthetic intelligence.
And whereas these voters admired the Venezuela motion, some had questions in regards to the concept of taking on Greenland, particularly by way of army power. As activists argue in regards to the route of Republican overseas coverage, the dialogue about Venezuela and Greenland affords some compelling insights about how Republican voters may be fascinated with one of many defining options of Mr. Trump’s second time period: his aggressive view of American energy in Western hemisphere.
Contributors
Invoice 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
Daniel 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Elbin 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
Heather 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Holly 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
Isaiah 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
Jessi 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Jessica 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
Linda 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
Shanna 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
Sherry 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
Transcript
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
If you happen to needed to describe how Donald Trump’s second time period goes in only one phrase, what would that one phrase be?
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
Hopeful.
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
Nice.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Appreciative.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
I feel it’s going OK.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Nice.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
I’d say superb.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
First rate.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
Glorious.
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Going effectively.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
Productive.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
Superior.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Sherry, inform me what you imply by superior.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
He got here into a large number, so he needed to clear up so much. He’s achieved a fantastic job with the tariffs, with the illegals. Costs at the moment are beginning to come down for gasoline and meals and stuff.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Invoice, what do you imply by productive?
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I don’t suppose he’s sitting on his arms. He’s going out and doing issues that he mentioned he’s going to do. He means what he says. He simply does it. He’s making numerous progress.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Shanna, inform me slightly bit about why you say first rate.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
There are issues that I like: the tariffs, for instance. However then there are issues I form of don’t agree with a lot. ICE is fairly huge in our space, and I feel may be extra forceful than possibly is critical, and simply not treating folks possibly the way in which I’d wish to see.
Invoice,
62, Minn., white
Daniel,
54, Pa., white
Elbin,
29, N.Y., Black
Holly,
42, Ga., white
Isaiah,
30, Texas, Afro-Latino
Jessi,
47, Ala., white
Linda,
50, Mich., white
Sherry,
65, Nev., biracial
Heather,
55, La., white
Shanna,
28, Utah, white
Jessica,
33, Conn., white
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Holly, you have been one in every of my A’s. Inform me why.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
He’s following up on all the things he mentioned he was going to do: making an attempt to assist out with getting illegals out, the tariffs.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
Every thing that he’s mentioned, he’s doing: deporting unlawful immigrants, coping with inflation as effectively. In comparison with 4 years in the past, two years in the past, it’s slowly beginning to come down — groceries, gasoline. He’s delivering on his guarantees.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Heather, you gave a B. Why?
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
He undoubtedly has achieved the issues he mentioned. Like Shanna mentioned, ICE is slightly heavy-handed down right here in New Orleans. I fully agree with deporting illegals. I’m from Los Angeles, the place it’s been actually a problem my total life. However the way in which that they’re going about it in some situations down right here is just a bit excessive. On costs, gasoline is de facto coming down, eggs are down, however a number of the different issues are usually not coming down as quick. I’m on a restricted finances, so it’s hurting slightly bit, nevertheless it’s getting there.
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
I gave him an A, as a result of, principally, unemployment is down. I do all of the grocery searching for my home, and I see costs have gone down. Fuel is down. So I’m actually enthusiastic about that.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Jessica, you gave Trump’s efficiency within the final yr a C, about common. Why?
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
I like a number of the stuff he’s been doing. He’s undoubtedly been doing numerous the issues he mentioned he was going to do. However then there’s simply numerous chaos, and he doesn’t appear to have numerous the folks working beneath him beneath management. There’s numerous mess.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Are there any folks you possibly can consider specifically about whom you might suppose: I want he hadn’t employed them?
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
Effectively, there was the entire chaos with Marjorie Taylor Greene. I don’t know. It simply looks as if a number of of them simply form of leeched onto him, after which they’re simply inflicting chaos.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Has Trump’s first yr of his second time period fallen wanting your expectations, met your expectations, or outmoded them?
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Previous presidents, they’ve all that speak. Then, as soon as they get in there, they do nothing. This man’s achieved all the things and been full power since he walked within the door.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What are the issues that you simply suppose that Trump has been most centered on doing on this first yr again?
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
Deporting the unlawful folks within the nation. And he has paused inflation. I feel these are two issues that he has centered on these days.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
Proper: maintaining his guarantees, cleansing home with all of the illegals. He’s been doing that since Day 1. That was one of many predominant issues. And I’d in all probability say the tariffs, as a result of all the opposite nations are charging us tariffs. They have been charging us, however but we weren’t charging them something. Now we’re charging them. They see what it’s prefer to get charged again like we’ve been getting charged and paying.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I feel he’s been centered on coping with fraud. If anybody’s been following the information, you’ve in all probability heard that there’s numerous that occurring right here in Minnesota. He’s taking an iron fist to that. He despatched ICE in. He’s coping with our governor, coping with a few of our senators. I feel additionally, so far as the unlawful immigrants, simply coping with them and getting them out of right here. He has to work by way of the Supreme Court docket, they usually shuttle on what he can and may’t do. However he’s getting the job achieved.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Does anyone have a problem space or an issue that you simply want he would give attention to extra?
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
All these corrupt folks which might be being caught in all this fraud, really prosecuting them as a substitute of simply saying, oh, they’re caught. I imply, if it was us, we’d be in jail.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Is there something that you simply want he’d possibly spend rather less time on?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Attempting to take management of Greenland. He looks as if he’s spreading himself skinny in so many alternative instructions. I’d fairly simply see him centered, principally, on extra of the immigration, extra of the frauds, the scamming, inflation. However like I mentioned earlier than, going after Greenland proper now, at the moment, I’m afraid he’s simply spreading himself too skinny, and he must be extra centered on us. I don’t suppose Greenland has something actually to do with us as a lot, however possibly he feels totally different.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
I want he would get off Twitter. He simply must suppose slightly extra earlier than he writes down no matter he’s simply posting.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
He must suppose earlier than he opens his mouth.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
I didn’t love finances cuts to nationwide parks. As somebody who lives close to a number of and likes to spend time with them, I feel they’re understaffed. And he must not speak about pregnant girls taking Tylenol. I don’t suppose he is aware of what he’s speaking about, and he simply shouldn’t speak about it.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
Again to Daniel’s remark, so far as Greenland goes, I agree with him on that. There could also be some curiosity that we’ve got in Greenland. However the newest information talks about Trump probably utilizing the army to go after it. And I simply suppose that’s fallacious.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Let’s say that tomorrow you bought invited to go to the White Home and converse with Trump within the Oval Workplace. You could have a few minutes to present him recommendation. What would you say to him?
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
I’d have to consider it as a result of it’s not one thing you simply go up there and provides him recommendation. However I feel one thing that he’s not doing so effectively is his media confrontation. He’s not likely a media individual. He ought to do this much less.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
I’d simply inform him to maintain doing what he’s doing. If I have been to inform him to give attention to one other space, I’d say give attention to the medication coming into the nation.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
I feel we must always have extra give attention to psychological well being companies and issues like that. You’ll be able to’t actually sort out the entire drug disaster with out satisfactory psychological well being companies. For a lot of mentally unwell homeless folks, there’s simply nowhere for folks to go. We don’t have psychological establishments anymore. We’d like one thing for individuals who can by no means reside in society, and there simply isn’t. There’s homelessness, and there’s residing on the subways.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I don’t know that he would take heed to me, however I feel he must suppose extra earlier than he opens his mouth. I feel he’s achieved a great job, however he simply opens his mouth earlier than he thinks in regards to the penalties.
Invoice,
62, Minn., white
Daniel,
54, Pa., white
Elbin,
29, N.Y., Black
Heather,
55, La., white
Holly,
42, Ga., white
Isaiah,
30, Texas, Afro-Latino
Jessi,
47, Ala., white
Linda,
50, Mich., white
Sherry,
65, Nev., biracial
Jessica,
33, Conn., white
Shanna,
28, Utah, white
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
I feel our army is stronger. I feel our borders are safer. Issues that he has promised us are being delivered.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Yeah, not simply across the borders, however he’s not afraid to drag the cardboard on the Nationwide Guard and put them in drawback cities to sort out crime in these cities, as a result of crime in a few of these greater cities is a big difficulty.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
I feel what he did with Venezuela was the best factor to do as a result of they’ve been sending the ships over with medication on them. Younger individuals are dying from the medication.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
On Venezuela: America took Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s chief, into custody and introduced him to the USA for trial. The operation concerned sending U.S. troops to extract him from Caracas. What do you concentrate on this resolution?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Good, for certain.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
These folks have been struggling. There was no diplomatic approach to do it in addition to that; he took all the things over.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
Whenever you see the Venezuelans cheering, they’re thrilled as a result of they’re saying: I’ve been ravenous. This man’s a dictator. This man’s had a bounty on his head for, I feel, years. This was a nasty man. So I feel it was incredible.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Within the days since Maduro’s seize, Trump has mentioned we plan to run Venezuela in some capability and make the most of that nation’s oil sources. What do you concentrate on that? What do you suppose if you hear, we might run Venezuela?
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
It’s good in a means. I imply, it could actually’t get a lot worse than it was with him being a dictator.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
I feel it offers them a robust foothold to start out from as a substitute of simply taking him out and leaving them alone. They’ve been beneath pure hell the previous little bit. They wouldn’t actually know the place to start out.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Yeah, they may rebuild their financial system, their infrastructure, and the federal government from the bottom up now. So it’d be like us rebuilding after World Struggle II.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I feel it was good. However everybody continues to be ready to see what it actually means when he says we’re going to run it. Are we going to place folks there? Are we going to affect folks which might be there? Nonetheless ready to see how that falls out.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Do you could have a desire?
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I don’t suppose it is smart for us to really put folks there and bodily run it. If we will coerce or work with the present authorities to get issues achieved, I feel that’s one of the best ways.
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
Yeah, I agree. I used to be going to say, it’d be good if we might assist and help the present authorities in serving to the folks of Venezuela.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
Maduro didn’t even win. That girl gained it. Seventy p.c voted for her. However he simply put himself in there. And these individuals are ravenous to dying, they usually’re hungry, so one thing needed to be achieved as a result of he took over the entire nation. I feel Trump did an outstanding job.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Greenland’s come up a bit in our dialog. President Trump’s talked a good quantity about increasing American involvement or management over totally different elements of the world. I wish to ask an even bigger query right here. Does taking management of Greenland sound “America first” as a result of it’s about gaining sources, like minerals or oil within the case of Venezuela? Or is it not “America first” as a result of it’s about getting concerned somewhere else or potential army battle?
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
In Venezuela, we have to go in and never simply take him out. We have to do away with his total cupboard, all people that was beneath him that’s following in his footsteps and begin afresh. But additionally, Venezuela is hopefully extra for the folks’s sake, to finish the struggling for them. Greenland simply appears extra of a – why are we there? What do we’d like from Greenland? I imply, there’s no battle there. Can we simply carry the main focus again to some place else in America?
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
Greenland has sources that Trump desires to have the ability to make the most of. However what offers him the best to go in militarily and take it?
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Precisely, it’s one other nation.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
That’s simply the identical as Putin doing to Ukraine. What offers him the best to try this as effectively? So it simply doesn’t really feel proper. It’s a adverse influence, I imagine, on the USA.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
And if he does go into Greenland with power, when you learn in the present day’s information, they speak about how the entire NATO nations over there are usually not proud of that. That would spell the top of NATO.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
How do you’re feeling President Trump has dealt with the battle in Ukraine?
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I feel he’s making an attempt to play peacekeeper with all of the conflicts which might be occurring. However my query is, why do we have to do this?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
We don’t.
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
I agree with Invoice. I haven’t actually paid a lot consideration to Ukraine and Russia. He’s making an attempt to play the arbitrary peacekeeper between the 2 nations. I really feel like that’s not simply one thing that we’re alleged to be centered on.
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
I additionally agree that Trump is making an attempt to be a peacekeeper and serving to them. However why do we’ve got to ship a lot cash over to Ukraine when the folks of the USA might use that cash, and he might do the opposite issues right here like with homeless and psychological well being points and all the things else like that?
Moderator, Katherine Miller
How do you suppose Trump has dealt with the battle in Gaza?
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
I feel that we shouldn’t be taking on Gaza. We shouldn’t be making a complete new Palestine. That’s their separate difficulty. Whether or not there’s ever going to be peace with these two nations, probably not. Learn prophecy within the Bible.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
I feel they’ve had the identical drawback for years now. It’s no totally different than Russia and Ukraine, simply being the mediator between each events. Nobody’s ever going to win.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
If you happen to needed to describe how you’re feeling the financial system is doing in a single phrase, what would it not be?
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
Higher.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
Hopeful.
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
Enhancing.
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
Progressive.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Hopeful.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
It’s OK.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
Bumpy.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
Undoubtedly enhancing.
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Enhancing.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
Enhancing.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Promising.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Daniel, does promising imply it’s not good proper now, however you suppose it’s going to be?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Promising is, we’re seeing some objects come down within the financial system price-wise. We’re seeing extra jobs being obtainable and extra folks being employed. However we’re nonetheless seeing some setbacks which might be nonetheless holding us again. So it’s promising in that we’re seeing progress this time round versus what it was two years in the past, three or 4 years in the past.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Jessi, you mentioned you have been hopeful, as did you, Shanna.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
As a result of he’s really doing one thing as a substitute of simply making an attempt to revenue just like the previous workplace. He’s really making an attempt to make issues higher for all of us with tax cuts and jobs introduced right here and the tariffs and all the things. He’s making an attempt to make it higher.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
Yeah, I see folks on social media so much speaking in regards to the bumps, like the value will increase due to tariffs and issues like that, like possibly short-term setbacks. However then we see issues like gasoline happening, residence charges wanting so much higher than they’ve within the final couple of years. So I feel a number of the huge issues are displaying numerous promise.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
In a current presidential tackle, Donald Trump described the financial system as A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.
Do you agree we’re in an A+++++ financial system? Do you agree we’re in an A+++++ financial system? 3 folks raised their arms.
Invoice, 62, Minn., white
Daniel, 54, Pa., white
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Black
Heather, 55, La., white
Holly, 42, Ga., white
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Afro-Latino
Jessi, 47, Ala., white
Jessica, 33, Conn., white
Linda, 50, Mich., white
Shanna, 28, Utah, white
Sherry, 65, Nev., biracial
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
Unemployment is down. He’s making an attempt to carry jobs again to America and construct stuff in America as a substitute of out of doors the USA. Simply costs, inflation is down. Individuals are in a position to save extra money. And the inventory market is up as effectively.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Do you personally really feel the financial system is working otherwise than it did possibly a yr or two in the past?
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
I’d say it’s undoubtedly higher. Inflation has come down. So gasoline is cheaper. Groceries are cheaper. Additionally, I’m an actual property dealer, so I take care of numerous shoppers that do purchase homes. So the rates of interest are coming down in comparison with two, three, 4 years in the past. It’s not, I suppose you can say, A-plus-plus-plus, such as you mentioned. Nevertheless it’s undoubtedly an A. It might go slightly bit extra inflation, extra all the things coming down slightly bit extra. For me, that’ll be A-plus-plus. However up to now, so good.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Jessica, you initially described the financial system as OK.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
Costs on all the things are insane. Taxes are insane. It’s form of the identical because it’s been for me. I don’t suppose grocery costs have come down that a lot for me. I do know eggs have, as a result of I feel I paid virtually $10 for a dozen final yr. In order that they’ve come again all the way down to nearer to regular costs. However I imply, all the things’s nonetheless insane. Home costs are astronomical.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Invoice, you described the financial system as bumpy.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
It’s undoubtedly higher than it was, however I really feel prefer it’s bumpy. It goes up. It goes down. When he was coping with the tariffs, you’d see issues not so good. Then we get by way of that, after which we’re higher off. So he’s undoubtedly making progress, nevertheless it’s an up-and-down battle.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Effectively, with our extra time, they don’t tax it. So that you’re not working and giving freely half of it now. That undoubtedly helps households out.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Take into consideration younger folks in America in the present day who’re possibly of their 20s or 30s, youthful adults. Do you suppose younger folks in the present day have the identical shot on the American dream that their dad and mom’ technology had?
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
Quick reply, no. I feel it’s more durable. For instance, my dad and mom are a single-income household. My mother was all the time a stay-at-home mother. I feel households in that state of affairs have a a lot more durable time. It’s a lot more durable even with a twin earnings to do issues like afford a house as a result of common pay has not elevated on the identical velocity that residence costs have elevated in the previous couple of many years. So I really feel lucky. Like, in my state of affairs, I don’t suppose it’s fully unattainable as a result of I’m at the moment within the course of of accomplishing it. Nevertheless it’s arduous, and I don’t suppose it’s the identical means it was.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
You’ll be able to’t be a stay-at-home mother and have Dad be the breadwinner on this financial system. And I imply, it’s attainable years down the street as soon as we get it straight. However as of proper now, no. It’s simply all the things’s so astronomical in comparison with the pay again then. It’s not attainable in the meanwhile.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
Yeah, I don’t actually suppose it’s that attainable. You’ll be able to’t work sufficient to purchase a home lately with costs what they’re. I don’t even take a look at my 401(okay) anymore as a result of I don’t actually have any hope that I’ll retire, truthfully. Like, retirement age is simply going to need to hold going up and up and up. And I feel it’s going to all come crashing down, sadly.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Let’s speak a bit about cultural points. First: the Jeffrey Epstein case. How do you suppose President Trump and his staff have dealt with that difficulty?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
I’d say OK, personally. It appears to shuttle. He tries to cowl it up after which abruptly now goes forward and releases photos. However he goes form of backwards and forwards on a few of it. So I feel he’s doing OK, nevertheless it doesn’t sound promising.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
It’s like he’s treating it with child gloves or one thing. Like he doesn’t wish to actually contact it, however he doesn’t wish to seem like he’s not making an attempt to do something.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Yeah, delicate topic.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
You’d prefer to see possibly extra releases, extra transparency across the difficulty?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Yeah, simply put it out entrance. Get it out of the way in which. I imply, it’s going to maintain going and going. Get all of it out now and be clear about it.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
I agree.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
It was one of many issues he ran on. He was like, I’m going to launch all of the Epstein recordsdata. We have been simply ready with bated breath. And it’s such as you mentioned: One minute it’s like, OK, right here’s a number of. Right here’s slightly bit of data. Then, simply kidding, we’re not going to do something. It’s not an excellent search for the administration in my private opinion.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Is that this difficulty one thing that’s actually necessary to you? Or is it like, oh, he’s not doing a fantastic job, nevertheless it’s not on the highest of my record.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
It’s not the highest of my record anymore. There’s a lot they’ve dug into, particularly with DOGE and all the things. I’m like, I actually don’t care an excessive amount of in regards to the Epstein recordsdata anymore. I’m like, let’s get all this different stuff beneath management first, please.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
I feel they’ve already washed a few of it off, they usually removed a number of the proof anyway as a result of they’d it so lengthy. Whoever was in it then, they’re not going to point out it any extra or no matter. So I’m uninterested in listening to about it already.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Why do folks suppose they haven’t been as forthcoming with stuff as possibly you’d prefer to see?
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
Due to who’s concerned, due to all of the folks up prime which might be the billionaires and the trillionaires that they’re like: OK, let’s see what can we work out that you simply don’t launch my title and data.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
And so they’ll in all probability by no means do something to them anyway. Nothing will occur anyway.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Not too long ago there have been headlines about Trump’s efforts to bodily remake Washington. He tore down the East Wing of the White Home to construct a ballroom. He modified the title of the Kennedy Middle to the Trump-Kennedy Middle. Whenever you see these sorts of tales, what do you suppose?
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
It’s his home in the meanwhile. I imply, he’s not destroying it. He’s enhancing it.
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
Yeah, I’m detached about it. I imply, he’s not the primary president to make modifications to the White Home. So why are all of us up in arms about it?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
I feel it’s numerous pointless rubbish that they need to hold simply placing out information about on a regular basis.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
That’s how I see it.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
It’s not costing the taxpayers something. He’s paying for it himself, so why do they care? If he desires to spend his cash and do it, let him.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
Yeah.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Do you suppose the tradition has gotten extra conservative the final yr, like popular culture or society or the folks round you?
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
I feel it’s actually gotten extra conservative, however extra folks really feel that they are often open about it as a substitute of getting to cover it for concern of being fired, for concern of being attacked and that form of stuff. I do know some individuals who have been all the time hard-line Democratic, all the time voted Democrat it doesn’t matter what. They’ve since modified their tune after the final administration, so sure.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
I really feel the opposite aspect slightly bit. Politics aren’t one thing I carry up as a result of I do know I’m form of within the minority. And I don’t know if it’s simply my algorithm on TikTok, however I really feel like each time I see somebody that folks resolve is a conservative influencer, there’s numerous cancel tradition and numerous going after extra conservative folks.
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Particularly after Charlie Kirk. I feel individuals are backing off slightly bit just because, who desires to have an opinion if you are going to be shot at?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Yeah, there’s a concern of retribution, it doesn’t matter what you wish to say.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Some Republicans have argued for regulating the tech trade fairly a bit. Others wish to go away it as is and even let it go additional on issues like crypto and particularly A.I. Trump has been fairly shut with numerous the tech executives this yr. Is {that a} good factor or ought to he be more durable on them? How would you prefer to see Republicans method tech corporations?
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Be shut, however be arms off on the identical time. Keep watch over them however hold your arms off.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Yeah, regulate them.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
What would keeping track of them seem like?
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
Simply ensuring they’re not doing just like the final administration, overlaying stuff up on goal and hiding stuff they don’t have to and never making an attempt to make the most of the American folks and simply making an attempt to be an asset to them as a substitute of a hindrance.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Extra governance over A.I., synthetic intelligence — so it’s used for good, not for dangerous — as a result of I take advantage of A.I. daily.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
Over the summer time, there was this huge debate about limiting regulation on A.I. Would you prefer to see A.I. simply be capable to go for the win and be one of the best it may be, that form of factor, no laws, no guidelines?
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
No.
Moderator, Katherine Miller
I’m seeing numerous head shakes.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Like I mentioned, regulate it to not let folks use it for fraudulent or back-room offers and stuff like that. However I imply, simply regulate it. Be certain it’s not getting used for the fallacious causes.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
I feel what’s going to occur finally is A.I. goes to take over. Individuals are going to lose their jobs in retail, or they’ll substitute people with A.I., they usually’re going to lose their jobs.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
I’ve labored within the movie trade for 20 years, and I’m already seeing a lot of jobs being changed by A.I., with stunts being A.I. as a substitute of individuals really performing stunts or being stand-ins and issues like that. So I’m all the time often towards extra laws. However in the case of this, it’s actually good.
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
Even in a social area, on X, the Grok A.I. has been used for some silly stuff. So I feel it wants some regulation, completely, to stop harm.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
I’ve began listening to a couple of huge A.I. plant in Tennessee, and there’s already been a well being influence on the group. The extra we use it, the extra we’re going to wish these crops. We don’t actually know the long-term well being influence of placing all of them throughout the nation and communities.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Let’s speak in regards to the future. Who excites you when you concentrate on the way forward for the Republican Social gathering or the conservative motion?
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
JD Vance.
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Marco Rubio.
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
Marco Rubio.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
Kennedy’s all the time a hoot. I’ve all the time beloved him simply because he’s humorous, and he’s simply sincere.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
I’d go together with JD Vance myself, too.
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Republican, Afro-Latino, actual property agent
I’ll go together with JD Vance for me.
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
Nikki Haley.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Heather, let me ask a provocative query. Whenever you consider someone like Nikki Haley, has the second for somebody like her handed?
Heather, 55, La., Republican, white, manufacturing
I don’t suppose they’ve tried together with her, however I feel she hasn’t put forth the trouble to leap on the bandwagon that was introduced to her.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
OK. Let me ask one other query. So lots of people have advised JD Vance will run for president, and if he ran, that he’d be the front-runner.
Would you be proud of JD Vance as the subsequent nominee for the Republican Social gathering after Trump? Would you be proud of JD Vance as the subsequent nominee for the Republican Social gathering after Trump? 9 folks raised their arms.
Invoice, 62, Minn., white
Daniel, 54, Pa., white
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Black
Heather, 55, La., white
Holly, 42, Ga., white
Isaiah, 30, Texas, Afro-Latino
Jessi, 47, Ala., white
Jessica, 33, Conn., white
Linda, 50, Mich., white
Shanna, 28, Utah, white
Sherry, 65, Nev., biracial
Invoice, 62, Minn., Republican, white, retired
I feel he’s extra of a politician than what we’ve received in there proper now, in a great way. I simply suppose he seems to be like the person who you’d wish to have in there.
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
He’s a household man. I feel he’s very likable. I feel younger folks like him. Previous folks like him. He helps Trump now. He’s on the Trump ticket.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Inform me what you want about R.F.Ok. Jr.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
He’s sincere. He doesn’t tiptoe round issues. It’s what it’s. That’s what I’ve all the time favored about him. He doesn’t attempt to conceal issues. He doesn’t attempt to sugarcoat it and simply make it sound higher. Like, he calls them the loon wing. That’s what they’re.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
I like that he’s so open and so sincere about stuff. He’s gotten numerous warmth the previous yr and a half, two years, or nonetheless lengthy this has all been occurring, nearly his politics as a result of he was form of a Democrat for an extended, very long time. I actually love his stance on vaccines or lack thereof. I like that he’s extra pure, much less pharma, Large Pharma, that form of stuff.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Whoever is president after Donald Trump, do you hope that the subsequent individual tries to be as very like Donald Trump as attainable, or are there some belongings you wish to see them deal with slightly in a different way?
Linda, 50, Mich., Republican, white, stay-at-home father or mother
I hope that they — I don’t wish to say be identical to Trump — I’m saying near Trump, however that they’re their very own individual. I simply hope that they actually proceed to place America first, put the American folks first, and deal with us first.
Sherry, 65, Nev., Republican, biracial, retired
I feel they need to take into consideration what they’re saying earlier than they are saying it as a result of Donald Trump will say one thing and never take into consideration what he mentioned. I imagine in what he’s saying, however typically he wants to consider what he’s saying as a result of all the things he’s saying doesn’t look proper with the way in which he’s saying it.
Jessi, 47, Ala., Republican, white, meals service
I simply hope they hold principally the identical values of taking good care of us first as a substitute of leaping in and sending all this cash in all places only for no motive.
Shanna, 28, Utah, Republican, white, technical author
A number of what we’ve talked about tonight is numerous motion. He’s actually doing what he mentioned he was going to do. I hope that continues with our subsequent president. However I feel in numerous methods, he’s additionally very controversial as a result of he was such a public determine beforehand and form of has a star to him. So I feel that will probably be a pleasant possibly change.
Holly, 42, Ga., Republican, white, in search of work
I simply hope stopping the bleeding of cash and fraud continues. All of us knew it was occurring, however till they actually received in there and also you’re seeing Elon tweet stuff and all the things, you’re going: My God, we simply had no concept absolutely the billions and trillions of {dollars} that have been actually simply going away and being given away. And once more, America first. We must be egocentric once more.
Jessica, 33, Conn., Republican, white, laboratory technician
I wish to see somebody who can carry each side slightly extra collectively and take the center floor slightly extra on some issues and attempt to cease each side from simply going insane, as a result of there are absolute lunatics on each side, they usually are usually the loudest, sadly.
Daniel, 54, Pa., Republican, white, telecomms
Yeah, form of what Jessica mentioned: carry each events collectively or be considerably friendlier, extra personable to one another, however proceed with the immigration, so it’s not so taxing on the taxpayers. That’d in all probability be one of many issues I’d say.
Elbin, 29, N.Y., Republican, Black, development engineer
Trump is somebody who says and does what he says, and I just about love that. And the subsequent individual must be off social media.
