Just days after Donald Trump’s presidential victory, reports indicate that some of his supporters are already experiencing “buyer’s remorse” as they confront the immediate impacts of his economic policies. In a video report, Brett Meiselas, co-founder of the MeidasTouch Network, highlighted the growing regret among Trump voters, many of whom did not anticipate how Trump’s proposed tariffs and policy changes would affect them directly.
Data from Google Trends provides insight into this emerging phenomenon. In the hours surrounding the election, searches for terms like “change my vote” and “are tariffs bad” surged, particularly in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. Meiselas pointed to these searches as an indicator of the swift realization among voters about the potential consequences of Trump’s trade policies. For example, many Trump supporters mistakenly believed that tariffs would financially impact foreign producers rather than U.S. businesses and consumers—a misconception now being addressed as businesses adjust to expected cost increases.
The economic realities of tariffs are quickly setting in for small business owners, many of whom are directly affected. Meiselas shared the story of a Pennsylvania small manufacturing company whose employees learned that their holiday bonuses would be cut to prepare for the financial strain anticipated from increased import costs. The company’s president reportedly had to explain to workers what tariffs are and how they function, revealing a widespread misunderstanding of the economic policy
For larger companies, the impact of tariffs is no less stark. Automotive companies like Nissan and Stellantis are already bracing for cost increases and have announced impending layoffs to mitigate anticipated losses. CNN recently highlighted that the prices of common goods are expected to rise as companies pass along the cost of tariffs to consumers. Leaders from major U.S. corporations, including AutoZone, have confirmed that price increases are on the way, with some anticipating hikes as early as next year
Trump's rhetoric around deportation and immigration policy is also causing distress for certain segments of his voter base. Some voters, including immigrants who supported Trump under the belief that his policies would exclude them from deportation risk, are now worried. Meiselas shared an anecdote about a Trump supporter from Guatemala who underestimated the likelihood that Trump’s policies would jeopardize his status, a realization echoed by business leaders who rely on immigrant labor and are now bracing for workforce challenges.
From job cuts to escalating prices, Trump’s policies are quickly making their presence felt, leaving some voters disillusioned. Meiselas concluded his report with a pledge to continue holding the administration accountable and highlighting the consequences of these policies, even as regret appears to set in for many Trump supporters facing unexpected economic fallout.
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