Swing voters turn on Trump over economy
Monthly focus groups reveal that voters who backed Trump in 2024 are now critical of his economic record.
By Sakura Novak ·
NPR tracked the opinions of specific voters who shifted their allegiance from Joe Biden in 2020 to Donald Trump in 2024. This group has been a central part of the Swing Voter Project for the last year. They meet in online focus groups every month to discuss political issues.
The project is run by messaging firm Engagious and market research recruiter Nelson Recruiting. NPR serves as a partner in the study. These voters are not a random sample. They are individuals who made a distinct choice to move from the Democratic to the Republican side two years ago.
Data from the past twelve months shows a rapid change in sentiment toward President Trump. Participants quickly grew dissatisfied with his leadership. They draw a direct line between his decisions and their current feelings about the economy. This connection suggests that economic performance is their primary measure of his success.
The analysis also indicates that Democrats are not widely favored by this group. However, a convergence is emerging between voters on the left and right. Both sides show support for economic populism. This alignment suggests that traditional party lines are blurring on financial policy.
Concerns about technology are also prominent. The group expresses broad worry about artificial intelligence. They specifically cite the proliferation of data centers as a major issue. These technological factors are becoming key parts of their political calculus.
The findings were compiled by Ben Swasey and Lexie Schapitl. They edited a special discussion titled 'Swing voters and the issues that matter.' This audio piece details the specific viewpoints collected throughout 2026.
