More than half of young men voted for President Trump in the last election, but his support among this group has since weakened. An analysis of the final three New York Times/Siena University national polls found that seven in 10 men ages 18 to 29 disapprove of his job performance.
The Upshot revisited several young men who had supported Mr. Trump before and after the election. Their complaints focused particularly on the economy, rising prices and the War in Iran. Some said they would reverse their vote if they had the chance, although that did not necessarily mean they planned to support Democrats in the midterm elections.
Several interviewees said they still supported Republican candidates in their states, distinguishing them from the president and saying they had not been persuaded by Democratic arguments. Others were undecided about voting or had not yet given the elections much thought.
Ranger Irwin, 22, of North Las Vegas, said Mr. Trump had promised to be antiwar but was now involved in conflict in the Middle East. Matthew Michels, 26, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, criticized the lack of resistance from establishment Republicans and called the Iran war a pointless conflict.
Economic concerns were also common. Malachi Bohlmann, 25, of Phoenix, said the economy had not favored young Americans and criticized the way Immigration and Customs Enforcement had carried out its work. Christopher Pontrella, 26, said the cost of living, including groceries and gas, was difficult for working-class people.
Not every former Trump voter had turned against him. Logan Fischer, 23, said he still viewed the country as a land of opportunity and considered Trump’s economic record positive. Others, however, said the president had failed to follow through on his promises, contributing to a broader loss of support among young men.
Sources: The New York Times Politics.