Here’s what conservatives need to know.
President Donald J. Trump’s second-term economic policies are drawing renewed attention as Americans face rising costs and global market shifts. Yet despite media speculation, his support among core conservative voters—especially older Americans—remains unwavering.
A May 2025 poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that 36% of Americans currently approve of how Trump is handling the economy, while 63% disapprove. Though that number reflects a drop from earlier in the year, it comes alongside a notable increase in overall job approval, now up to 41%.
That modest rise in support suggests the Trump administration’s “America First” economic approach continues to resonate—particularly among voters 50 and older who remember the economic strength, job growth, and rising retirement accounts during Trump’s first term.
The media, predictably, has fixated on the temporary turbulence caused by President Trump’s newly launched “Liberation Day” tariffs, a bold initiative aimed at reducing America’s reliance on foreign goods, protecting U.S. industries, and rebuilding domestic manufacturing.
Despite the pushback, Trump’s economic blueprint—centered around tax relief, deregulation, energy independence, and tough trade enforcement—remains the most pro-American plan seen in decades.
👉 Related: How Trump’s Tariffs Are Protecting American Jobs and Small Businesses
Critics point to inflation and market volatility, but many conservatives see these as short-term sacrifices in the fight for long-term economic independence. As liberal economists sound alarms, those who remember pre-Biden price stability understand the stakes.
Even recent polls show strength where it counts. On immigration—another top issue for older voters—Trump received a near-even split, with 49% approval versus 51% disapproval. Among Republicans, support for his immigration crackdown and border security initiatives remains sky-high.
It’s important to note that polls often oversample liberal demographics or frame questions in ways that underrepresent middle-class, faith-based, and rural Americans—the very groups fueling Trump’s rise.
William F. Hall, a professor of political science and business, stated:
“The economy is under pressure, yes—but Trump’s strategy is clear: protect American jobs, defend the middle class, and stop selling out our country to global interests.”
While mainstream media outlets push negative economic headlines, millions of seniors and working Americans trust Trump’s vision. They’ve seen what he can do—and they know he’s putting American retirees, veterans, and small business owners first.
As the 2025 economy adjusts to new trade realities, conservatives believe it’s better to endure short-term pain than suffer long-term dependence on foreign powers like China. Trump’s boldness may rattle globalists, but for patriots, it’s exactly the leadership America needs.