Stories
Trump's Rural Base Feels Economic Strain: Half Say Economy Worsened
- •A new survey reveals that about half of Trump's core rural voters believe the economy is worse now than when he took office, despite continued political support.
- •Rising costs of groceries, gasoline, and healthcare are major concerns for rural voters, with only four in ten approving of Trump's economic handling.
- •Rural Republicans show more positive views of Trump's economic record nationally, but only 45% believe he improved their local economy.
- •Trump administration healthcare policies have had limited positive impact, with 41% of rural voters reporting a negative effect on costs.
- •Despite economic frustrations, rural voters still lean towards the GOP, though many feel neither major party fully respects them.
Key Questions Answered
Roughly half of rural registered voters believe the economy is worse off than when Trump returned to the White House, pointing to the rising costs of basic expenses such as groceries, gasoline, and healthcare. About three-quarters described their local cost of living as either fair or poor.
About four in 10 rural voters approve of Trump's overall handling of the economy, while roughly six in 10 disapprove. While rural Republicans express positive views about the national economy, only 45 percent said Trump had improved the economy specifically in their local communities.
Awareness of the administration's $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program is very low among rural voters. More than eight in ten respondents reported hearing little or nothing about the initiative, with about six in ten stating they had heard nothing at all.
