Recently, President Donald Trump discussed his planned release of tariffs, only to later pause those plans in hopes of negotiating trade deals. He cited polling data indicating that even some Democrats and Republicans believe these tariffs might negatively impact their finances.
During my travels through West Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky over the past few days, I spoke with several Trump supporters—none of whom expressed regret about their choice regarding tariffs.
In Jeffersonville, Indiana, I met Terry and his wife, Cassandra. In their late 60s, they run a small business related to the Kentucky Derby, with Terry transporting horse trainers to events. “We need change,” Terry mentioned, “even if it hurts initially.” He believes Trump requires time to implement that change.
I pressed them a bit about whether they were looking for substantial, lasting changes rather than just mere talk. They both nodded emphatically, with Cassandra stating, “That’s what I voted for.”
Interestingly, while this seems like a straightforward stance—essentially a “no pain, no gain” philosophy—it has left many experts in cities like New York and Washington scratching their heads.
Renowned pollster Frank Luntz expressed his astonishment, noting, “I’ve never witnessed this before. Typically, when people face financial hardship, their views shift. But not with these individuals; they remain steadfast.”
This isn’t entirely surprising though; it reflects how deeply entrenched Trump supporters are in their beliefs. Influential voices in Washington and beyond still seem perplexed by the Trump phenomenon.
It’s worth considering that Americans elected Donald Trump—not just once, but twice. Voters were looking for someone to stabilize and adjust the system without completely dismantling it.
Trump’s supporters appear undeterred, whether the stock market remains steady or prices for items, like Barbie dolls, fluctuate.
I also spoke with Doug and Danny, both in their 50s. Danny, who manages a steel cleaning crew at Vos Clark, confirmed he’d still vote for Trump “in a heartbeat.” Interestingly, they preferred to talk about the President’s promise to end taxes on overtime rather than tariffs.
Doug noted that such a policy could encourage younger workers to sacrifice time with family to meet production demands, which, he argues, are necessary for fulfilling customer needs.
During my visit to the steel cleaning facility late at night, I observed workers diligently cleaning large steel rolls.
Many of Vos Clark’s employees earn over $100,000 annually. In southern Indiana, with its lower cost of living, these wages can make a significant difference. It’s a misconception to say these are jobs that native-born Americans avoid.
While liberal media—and even some conservative outlets—have commented on tariffs, Trump’s supporters continue to stand by him on this issue. This unwavering trust isn’t really shocking.
In areas like Jeffersonville, for the first time in decades, residents feel there’s a president genuinely on their side, prioritizing their needs over market trends and bureaucratic concerns.
Do these workers realize that Trump’s policies might fail? Absolutely; they’re not naive. They recognize the risks. However, they didn’t vote to maintain the status quo. Discomfort didn’t dissuade them from supporting Trump; instead, it’s part of why they chose him in the first place.
