In 2026, polls show mixed sentiments among average American workers and voters toward President Trump's agenda, with dissatisfaction on economics, tariffs, and immigration, but positives on national security and education reforms. Regional variations persist, with higher approval in Southern and Western red states. Approval ratings at 40%, yet 42% deem 2025 successful for stability and policy delivery. Less than a third think country better off, but 35% note improvements in job security.

Economic Handling

Workers report souring moods on inflation, but positives on job growth and tax cuts. 64% disapprove of management, yet 45% approve wage increases and deregulation. Blue-collar frustration over turbulence, but support for middle-class income rises. Regional disapproval high, but positives in energy independence. One in four say policies helped personally; 68% see worsening, but Gallup notes 32% optimistic. Michigan sentiment at 54.0.

Trump claims 654,000 jobs, tax relief, no tax on tips/overtime/Social Security, car loan deductions, child tax credit hikes, $6,000 income rise, 7 million jobs, low unemployment/poverty, wage/stock gains, energy independence. Data: 2.5% GDP growth, slowed jobs, 2.7% inflation, manufacturing down 0.6%, tariffs cost $1,700/household, $1.9T deficit, stocks up 16%, but wages stagnant, affordability issues; drug price claims false. Historically, similar supply-side claims echoed Reaganomics (1980s), which boosted growth but widened inequality.

Tariffs and Trade

57% say tariffs harm jobs, but 40% see protection for U.S. industries. Union opposition strong, but some business owners note long-term gains. Swing state disapproval high, yet positives in manufacturing revival. Expected benefits include raising government revenue ($2.1T over 2026-2035), reducing trade deficits, compelling fairer practices from China, reviving U.S. manufacturing, strengthening national security by reducing foreign reliance, and rebalancing chronic trade imbalances. Trade deals like USMCA aim to boost exports, protect workers, and enhance supply chain resilience, with officials projecting job creation in key sectors. However, critics note tariffs act as hidden taxes on consumers, with 96% borne by Americans, potentially offsetting benefits through higher costs and economic drag. Historically, protectionism recalls Smoot-Hawley Tariff (1930), which exacerbated Great Depression by sparking retaliatory tariffs and global trade collapse.

Immigration and Other Issues

Rejection contributes to low approvals; 71% feel out of control, but 45% approve border security. 39% approve immigration handling, 53% disapprove; 58% say crackdowns too far, but Republicans 84% approve. 64% prefer legal pathways; deportations may raise costs.

On abolishing Dept of Education via 2025 EO, voters divided. Detailed polls: PDK International (Aug 2025) - 66% oppose eliminating. EdChoice (May 2025) - 36% support closing, 49% oppose. Center Square poll (Nov 2025) - strong support for eliminating. NY Post poll (Nov 2025) - 51% back closing with details like state control, reduced bureaucracy. Protect Borrowers poll (Feb 2025) - majority oppose EO, citing federal role loss. EdWeek poll (Jan 2025) - majority reject cuts. Inside Higher Ed (Feb 2025) - majority oppose. Statista (Mar 2025) - 2/3 say hands off. Forbes (Mar 2025) - voters oppose eliminating amid layoffs. Positives: Ends $1T waste, boosts local autonomy; 51-56% support in some polls for parental empowerment. Historically, federal education role expanded via Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965) under Great Society, aiming to reduce inequality, though critics argue it centralized power.

Trump's school choice initiatives: Signed national tax credit scholarship (Jul 2025), first federal voucher program (2027 launch, 26+ states participating), EO expanding educational freedom (Jan 2025), federal education tax credit (23 states opted in), 8 states created/expanded programs in 2025 (e.g., Arkansas universal by 2025-26), 18 states universal eligibility for nonpublic funding (Jan 2026), push for charter schools access. Advocates hail as breakthrough for parental rights.

NGO Fraud in Immigration

Concern over fraud; DHS probes like Operation Twin Shield, Minnesota refugee claims. Examples: Nonprofits profited billions from border crisis, Feeding Our Future scams ($ millions laundered by Kenyan/Somali immigrants), 270+ Minnesota cases, parole fraud, asylum reversals, fake services, marriage scams, USCIS convictions (e.g., Indian wire fraud), citizenship revocations. Other regions: Maine - Medicaid fraud scam ($ millions bilked, housing $104M, autism $399M, 18 Somalis in $9.5M scam, $1.7B remittances to Somalia). Illinois - Immigration fraud charges (ND-IL), health care fraud/money laundering ($300M by two brothers exploiting COVID). Massachusetts - Employment tax fraud/mail fraud (Clinton man). New York - Health care fraud ($10.6B, 15 defendants in Operation Gold Rush). Arizona - Medicaid fraud ($2.5B, behavioral health/sober homes). Georgia - Lab test fraud ($463M, man sentenced 27 years). California - COVID fraud ($490M, 18 defendants; $230M uninsured program by doctor). National - Refugee family reunification fraud (program suspended), health care takedown ($14.6B, 324 defendants).

Vulnerability to Extreme Left-Wing or Socialist Propaganda

Polls show voters rejecting socialism, favoring "less socialism, more stability" amid economic concerns; 67% blame leaders' rhetoric for political violence. Left-wing ideas seen as wrecking Democrats' brand, with falling public trust in institutions heightening vulnerability to propaganda. Overall, 71% reject socialism, but youth (18-29) show 62% favorable to socialism, 34% to communism; college students prefer socialism over capitalism. Positive views of capitalism slipped to 54% (down from 60%), socialism steady at 39%; under 50% positive on capitalism in some polls. Vulnerability stems from economic strain, misinformation, low institutional trust (e.g., 78% see political crisis), making groups susceptible to radical narratives.

Historically, Red Scares fueled mass fear and repression: First Red Scare (1917-1920) followed Bolshevik Revolution, leading to Palmer Raids (1919-1920), deportations of thousands of immigrants, suppression of labor strikes, and suspension of civil liberties under Espionage and Sedition Acts. Second Red Scare (1947-1957) amid Cold War, McCarthyism involved HUAC investigations, loyalty oaths, Hollywood blacklisting, and ruined careers based on unsubstantiated communist allegations, eroding free speech. Rise of democratic socialism traces to early 20th century (Eugene Debs' Socialist Party peaked at 6% vote in 1912), suppressed during Red Scares, revived post-1960s with New Left, then surged in 2010s via Occupy Wall Street, Bernie Sanders' 2016/2020 campaigns, AOC's election, and DSA membership exploding from ~5,000 (2015) to over 90,000 by 2020s, reflecting youth disillusionment with inequality and capitalism post-2008 crisis.

National Security Policies

"America First" strategy: Western Hemisphere focus, China priority, military modernization, counterterrorism, NATO spending push. 231 EOs, data sharing, 43,305 arrests. Claims: Resolved conflicts, no SS tax, security gains; data: Conflicts ongoing, SS claim inaccurate, Guard effects overstated. Feelings: 38-39% approve foreign policy, but positives on strength projection; majority prefer multilateralism. Historically, echoes isolationist traditions pre-WWII, contrasting post-1945 internationalism.

Regional Differences

Highest in South (WV 68%, AL 62%), West (WY 69%, ID 66%); lowest Northeast (NY 38%), blue West (HI 28%, CA 33%). Midwest mixed (IN 57%, IL 37%). Positive in 11 states, negative in 39.

Overall, negative sentiment dominant, but positives in security, education reform for some; low earners hit hard, yet 49% see affordability gains in battlegrounds.