Donald Trump is facing a growing political crisis as new polling data shows a sharp decline in public confidence in his economic leadership — including among voters who once formed the backbone of his base.
Recent surveys reveal that a majority of Americans now believe Trump’s policies have made the economy worse, marking a dramatic reversal from his first term, when the economy was considered one of his strongest issues. Net approval on economic management has plunged deep into negative territory, a shift analysts describe as a major warning sign for Republicans heading into the midterms.
Perhaps most alarming for Trump is the collapse of support among non-college-educated voters — a demographic that played a decisive role in his past electoral victories. While Trump previously carried these voters by double digits, he is now underwater with them, signaling a significant fracture in his political coalition.
A key driver of this backlash appears to be the administration’s open embrace of artificial intelligence replacing human labor. Trump’s economic advisers, including National Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett, have publicly argued that job losses are an acceptable tradeoff for higher productivity and profits driven by AI. These remarks have fueled anger among workers who feel abandoned, particularly in manufacturing and service sectors that Trump once promised to protect.
Polling data reflects this growing anxiety. Voters increasingly view AI-driven job displacement and the rapid expansion of massive data centers as direct threats to their livelihoods, communities, and cost of living. Many see the administration as prioritizing tech billionaires and corporate profits over workers’ economic security.
Economic frustration is also intensifying as Americans grapple with rising utility costs, housing pressures, and concerns that wealth is becoming even more concentrated among a small group of tech elites. While AI-related industries continue to report strong growth, much of the broader economy is struggling — a disconnect that voters appear to blame squarely on Trump’s policies.
Political analysts warn that this combination of economic dissatisfaction, labor displacement fears, and erosion of Trump’s traditional base could pose serious risks for Republicans in upcoming elections. What was once Trump’s greatest political strength — the economy — is now rapidly becoming one of his most damaging vulnerabilities.
