Republicans rejoiced when far more young voters than expected backed Donald Trump in 2024, with many of them moved by Trump’s grandiose promises, such as his vow to “build the greatest economy in the history of the world”. But Republicans should be alarmed that so many 18- to 29-year-olds have soured on Trump – his approval rating with that group has sunk from 48% in January 2025 to between just 25% and 33% in recent months, according to polls by YouGov/the Economist.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that millions of young Americans have turned against Trump, considering that he has failed to deliver on so many promises, most notably his vow to reduce prices on day one. For young people, inflation is the No 1 economic issue, far outpacing other issues, and they very much wanted Trump to focus on affordability, but Trump has focused on everything but affordability. He’s focused instead on his glitzy, $400m ballroom, his war against Iran (which has increased gas prices), and his tariff wars (which have increased overall inflation). In bad news for Republicans, 78% of Americans under age 30 disapprove of how Trump is handling inflation.

Fed up with the status quo under Joe Biden, many young people expected great things from Trump, but 15 months into his second term, many feel let down, not least because the economy has taken a bad turn. Inflation has increased, job growth has slowed, and housing, healthcare and higher education have all gotten more expensive. What’s more, young Americans complain that the job market stinks for their age group.

“Things are pretty chaotic lately,” Lizabel, a young voter who backed Trump, said in a focus group for the Bulwark. “A lot of people are struggling to find jobs. A lot of people are feeling........

© The Guardian