The country ― and the global financial market ― is reeling from a week of whiplash tariff policy changes from the White House.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he’s issuing a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs to most nations, while raising U.S. tariff charges on China to 125%.
AdvertisementThe move comes after Trump initially announced his “liberation day” tariffs on April 2, sending the stock market into a downward spiral and leing many a MAGA supporter shaken. A poll by Reuters and Ipsos found that nearly 25% of Republicans opposed Trump’s tariffs, which the president said were meant to restore U.S. manufacturing to its glory days.
“This is not what we voted for,” said hedge fund billionaire and vocal Trump supporter Bill Ackman on X over the weekend, echoing the sentiments of many rattled Trump supporters.
Bloomberg via Getty ImagesWe asked former Trump voters what policy or action caused them to step away from MAGA.Advertisement
While tariffs he long been cornerstone of Trump’s economic policy, the market instability triggered by the president’s action could lead some to jump off the Trump train. That may be especially true for fiscal conservatives who held their noses while voting for Trump in the election, in the hopes that he’d be as stable in his approach to the economy as he was during his first term. (Then again, after the market surged in the wake of the tariff reversal, some supporters ― Ackman included ― painted Trump out to be an economic mastermind.)
Other supporters jumped off the Trump train long ago. Recently, we spoke to some of them, asking them how he gained their support to begin with, and what he did to lose it. Here’s what they had to say. (Responses he been lightly edited for clarity.)
“Two days after I celebrated him taking office in 2025, he cut my position within the federal government.”“I am a registered Republican who actively campaigned for and voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024. I he always supported him because of his MAGA ideals. He seemed to be honest and made good on his promises to the American people during his first term. I thought he would get us out of some of the bad circumstances we as a nation he fallen into under other presidents.
Two days after I celebrated him taking office in 2025, he cut my position within the federal government. I am a 21-year federal employee who took a position last year in the Office of Equity Assurance at the VA (Veterans Affairs). In that capacity, we were working to assist underserved veteran populations within the U.S. and its territories: rural and tribal veterans, women veterans, minorities, senior veterans, homeless vets. We were working to figure out what disparities these groups face because of where they live, and trying to offer them a more equal chance at obtaining VA benefits. Sadly, we were deemed to be DEI, and Trump signed an executive order following his inauguration which eliminated all DEI offices within the federal government. His EO technically ended our positions, but because of our tenure, veterans status, longevity, and performance status within VA, our senior leadership was planning to reassign each of us to other areas of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) ― but Elon Musk and DOGE cancelled those reassignment plans and terminated us via Reduction in Force (RIF).
I’ve been pretty bitter ever since. I will be moving towards becoming an Independent from now on.” ― Denise, a 58-year-old from Northern Virginia
“A leader who divides the country that deeply just isn’t capable of creating positive, lasting change.”“When I supported him, I was still under 18. Back then, it was mostly because supporting him was socially popular in my area, with my family, my friends, and my community. I wasn’t educated on politics and kind of bought into the narrative that he was a successful businessman who would do great things for America. I did identify as a Republican at the time, but I don’t anymore; now, I consider myself a Social Democrat.
AdvertisementThe final straw for me was January 6. Up until that point, I wasn’t totally convinced his policies were bad ― on paper, some things still sounded like they could work. But the extreme division in the country, which was especially clear on that day, made it obvious to me that he would never be able to implement any policy effectively. A leader who divides the country that deeply just isn’t capable of creating positive, lasting change on a national level.” ― Dean Withers, a 20-year-old from Colorado
Brandon Bell via Getty Images‘What kind of president sells Bibles, gold shoes and a $100,000 watch?" one former supporter said. “What kind of president sells bibles, gold shoes and a $100,000 watch?”“I’ve voted GOP since 1984, my first time voting. I stopped in 2020. The last straw? Trump’s misogyny. His racism. National security advisers and generals and chiefs of staff told us, ‘Don’t vote for this guy, don’t support this guy’ — one of whom, Mark Milley, a Marine and a man’s man, has said Trump is the most dangerous person he’s ever met. Mad Dog Mattis said pretty much the same thing. Rex Tillerson, Mark Esper ... this goes on and on.
AdvertisementThen there’s his grifting. What kind of president sells bibles, gold shoes and a $100,000 watch (that will likely never be on the market or delivered), but you can buy it through Bitcoin? That means you’re making a $100,000 donation to Trump that can’t be traced. That is the ultimate grift. His daughter and son-in-law received billions from the Saudis. His convictions, his indictments, January 6 — he encouraged a rabid insurrection and then, in real time, refused to do anything to stop it, and told us he would pardon those who did it. What kind of world is this?
My wife teaches middle school math and she says that Donald Trump could not get a job at her school, not as a teacher, or a substitute or the person serving food in the cafeteria line. And yet, almost half of our country still supports him. They’re willing to he a lower standard for the president than they would he for their own elementary or middle school staff. He’s a horrible influence. Why did I turn away from Trump? Why would anybody stick with him?” ― Danny, a 62-year-old from Texas
“I can not, in good conscience, cast a vote for someone who infringes on the constitution.”“The only year I voted for him was 2016. I supported him as his opposition was atrocious in comparison. He didn’t he a political record to look back on, so as far as that was concerned he was squeaky clean. I also liked the idea of getting someone in office who was not a politician. I am not a Republican or a Democrat.
AdvertisementTrump’s order to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms to ban bump stocks in light of the Las Vegas shooting was what convinced me not to vote for him again. I can not in good conscious cast a vote for someone who infringes on the constitution. (Editor’s note: In 2024, the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s federal ban on bump stocks.)
My advice to anyone that is feeling disillusioned, it is absolutely OK to change your mind. In fact, I’d say it’s healthy to change your mind.” ― Cameron, a 27-year-old from Michigan
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