This Focus Group From The Bulwark Should Terrify Donald Trump [View all]

Trump voters who switched from Biden in 2020 are expressing deep regret and horror over the administration's immigration enforcement tactics, particularly after the killing of Alex Prey in Minneapolis. A focus group conducted by The Bulwark reveals that these swing voters, instrumental in Trump's 2024 victory, now describe his presidency as chaotic, a betrayal, and "the biggest rug pull in history." Voters cite concerns about ICE violence, racial profiling of Hispanic communities, separated families, and children removed from schools. Economic promises on gas prices and grocery costs remain unfulfilled while the cost of living continues to climb.

Focus group participants express frustration with Trump's priorities, from seeking a Nobel Peace Prize to controversies surrounding the Epstein files. Several voters call for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's impeachment and removal. One California voter reports losing friends and family over his Trump vote, only to feel completely betrayed months later. Participants recognize the deportation tactics as political strategy rather than genuine immigration policy, designed to suppress votes in swing states ahead of elections.

The Minneapolis killing has broken through to the broader electorate in ways most news stories never achieve. Trump's electoral coalition shows signs of collapse as independents, voters under 30, Hispanic men, and Black men retreat from their 2024 support. Biden voters who switched to Trump now express horror at the administration's handling of deportations and the chaos engulfing communities nationwide.