Public sentiment regarding President Donald Trump’s second term varies widely across the United States, as reflected in interviews conducted by The Fulcrum with individuals from different states and backgrounds. Gabriel Cardona-Fox, a 53-year-old educator from New Jersey, expressed deep concern over what he described as the erosion of democratic institutions, economic instability, and damage to America’s global reputation. He criticized the administration’s tariff policies, calling them a regressive tax that benefits the wealthy while burdening the general population. Cardona-Fox also lamented the lack of strong opposition from Democratic leaders and certain institutions, though he found hope in the resistance shown by groups like the ACLU and some federal judges.\n\nJasmine, a 60-year-old IT professional from Colorado who requested anonymity, voiced fears about the administration’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights, particularly transgender individuals. She highlighted the threat posed by legislation in states like Texas, where mismatched gender markers on identification documents could lead to arrest. Jasmine emphasized the importance of seeking safe states and utilizing support resources, including a national transgender hotline, to protect vulnerable youth.\n\nBud Branch, a 69-year-old musician from New Mexico, condemned the administration’s appointments and policy direction, describing them as part of a coordinated effort to dismantle federal agencies such as USAID, the Justice Department, and the Department of Education. He criticized the delegation of tariff authority to the executive branch and expressed suspicion about Trump’s historical ties to Russia, calling the current political climate a result of misinformation and inadequate civic education.\n\nIn contrast, Joe Concienne, a 74-year-old retired chemical engineer from Texas, expressed optimism about the early actions of the administration. He praised the pace and scope of policy changes, particularly efforts to secure the southern border, reduce federal spending, and bring supply chains back to the U.S. While acknowledging Trump’s unfiltered communication style, Concienne viewed it as a sign of transparency. He supported the administration’s goal of reducing government bureaucracy but recognized the challenges posed by strong political opposition.\n\nNesy, a 64-year-old hospitality worker from Washington, D.C., who also requested anonymity, criticized both major parties. She argued that the Democratic Party had become disconnected from working-class voters, allowing Trump to gain support by echoing their frustrations. She warned of authoritarian tendencies in current enforcement practices and expressed concern over public ignorance about economic policies like tariffs. Nesy also raised fears about civil liberties, referencing incidents involving federal agents and drawing comparisons to authoritarian regimes.\n\nThe Fulcrum continues to collect diverse perspectives from Americans to document evolving public opinion on national leadership and policy.\n\n— news from The Fulcrum\n\n— News Original —\nConnecticut: Democracy, Innovation, and Economic Resilience\n\nNot everyone was comfortable sharing their picture and full name. We respected their wishes. \n\nFrom left to right: Gabriel Cardona-Fox, Bud Branch, Joe Concienne \n\nGabriel Cardona-Fox, 53, educator, New Jersey \n\nI’ve never felt more depressed or hopeless about the fate of the world and my country since Trump took office. He is rapidly dismantling our democratic institutions, wrecking our economy, and soiling our international reputation in a way I never thought possible. The tariffs are essentially a tax on the rest of us to pay for a tax break for the very wealthy. This chaotic and misguided policy is sinking our entire economy and setting the stage for a system of crony capitalism, something akin to Putin’s Russia. \n\nWhat I’m least satisfied with is the weak opposition from the Democrats and the failure of some institutions (i.e. Columbia University, law firms, and media companies) to show resistance. The only glimmer of hope I see is the courageous actions of a few isolated individuals and institutions. I think the ACLU, some judges, communities, Harvard, and other universities are beginning to stand up to Trump’s dictatorial ambitions, but they don’t yet resemble like an organized movement. \n\nHis party and the economic establishment are behaving like a herd of pusillanimous sycophants, and the Democrats seem powerless to stop him. The president is doing just what he promised to do. The framers of Project 2025 could not be happier. I just did not expect it to happen so quickly and with so little organized resistance. The damage Trump has done in the past 100 days will take generations to repair. We may very well be looking at the downfall of the American empire. \n\nJasmine, 60 years, IT sector, Colorado (No Photo Provided) \n\nIt’s worse than I expected, even though we all knew what he said he was going to do. Nothing specific to the anti-gay and anti-trans movements. The rhetoric around trans women and trans people in general has been blown out of proportion over the last eight years. I am so happy I’m living in Colorado. It’s one of the few states where I feel safe enough not to be freaked out all the time. But yes, in the trans community, we’re all worried about what Trump is going to do. \n\nWe are worried about going to states like Texas, where there is a legislative proposal that if the gender markers on your driver’s license or passport do not match your birth certificate, you can be arrested for fraud. I can’t go to Texas. Those are the kinds of laws I’m afraid of. I’m only going to give my business to Colorado and to states where I feel like I’m accepted and welcomed, and that number is getting smaller and smaller, unfortunately. I am also afraid for young trans people now. I fear young kids will have to stay in the closet, and I’m afraid they might commit suicide. You know that the transgender community has the highest suicide rate in the country? My message to them is that there are resources available. Find out which states are good for transgender people, like Illinois, Colorado, and others. There is even a national transgender hotline that you can call for help. Do that. \n\nBud Branch, 69 years, musician, New Mexico \n\nI am aghast at how well-organized these nefarious activities have unfurled. I didn’t believe project 2025 was literally their game plan, but evidently it is. They are so assiduously dismantling truly important institutions in the federal government. We could talk about USAID, about the Justice Department, the Department of Education, the National Institutes of Health, and the nominations for cabinet-level positions. They are a joke. They’ve populated the cabinet with intentionally inept, unqualified people. \n\nWhen it comes to tariffs, they are objectively moronic. The GOP has surrendered tariff control to the executive. They are cowardly and unpatriotic. I believe that Trump is a Russian asset, ever since the 80s in New York, and his connections with Russia. I am convinced of his bad character, evil, and selfish intent. He has the morals of an alley cat. It is also an aberration of the Electoral College and a unique set of societal conditions that gave him a razor-thin victory that enabled him to do this kind of destruction. \n\nIt is the fault of the propaganda that’s been lying to so many people and the failure of our public education in the realm of civics. This is what we’ve ended up with: folks who can’t think for themselves and are inculcated in this culture of right-wing lying and spinning. What we’re seeing is a powerful cult, and it’s going to take powerful deprogramming to bring some of our countrymen back to their senses. \n\nJoe Concienne, 74 years, retired chemical engineer, Texas \n\nOverall, I am feeling positive and optimistic about Trump’s first weeks in office. He has exceeded my expectations as to both the speed and breadth of change. He has pursued accomplishment of his campaign promises from day one. President Trump’s broad change initiatives are even a little fast for a lifelong Southern conservative like me. But for once, I see energy and real action, not just talk, committee hearings, and spin. Just take the southern border as a single example. As Trump said, “We did not need new laws to secure the southern border, we just needed a president who wanted to secure it.” \n\nThe things I am least satisfied with are the things I have always been least satisfied when Trump is involved. From the first day he become a political candidate, I have wished he would think a little more before speaking his “uncensored mind.” After 10+ years, I now accept Trump’s unrestrained speech as an assurance of transparency. What you see is what you get. \n\nI see the new Administration actively working on securing the Southern border, balance the annual federal budget and shrink the size of the federal government, end fighting and money drain in Ukraine, end fighting in Gaza with the return of hostages, return education administration to the states, return critical supply chains to the US, and bring common sense back to our federal government. I want President Trump to be successful in every issue. However, if he can find paydirt on half, I will be happy. President Trump will face severe and persistent opposition as he pursues “Draining the Swamp.” He may have only two years until the country tires of the turmoil this “draining” entails. I wish him well. \n\nNesy, 64 years, hospitality industry, District of Columbia (No Photo Provided) \n\n*She asked that we use a nickname –does not want to be identified \n\nWe went from hell to another version of a different hell. The Democratic Party lost this election. Why? Because the Democrats have become elitist. They have stopped listening to the middle and lower classes. Biden used to refer to the “kitchen table.” He totally forgot about the kitchen table. When you have white, angry, middle, and lower-class American voters, they turn to Trump because he is an actor. He says exactly what everybody wants him to say, but he doesn’t give a damn about what Americans want. If he achieves anything, it’s in his own interest. \n\nAnd Elon Musk is there for Elon Musk. We are looking at a coup d’état. Every dictator creates a lot of noise, and so you don’t see what is going on. It’s a playbook. And we’re all being played. I think what Americans lack is education. The American educational system is created to produce nonthinkers. They want you to be distracted and completely busy. So, you just become a follower. The lack of knowledge on how tariffs will impact all Americans is scary. When the impact hits all sectors of our economy and the working class, I hope there will be a national movement to stop the insanity. \n\nIn what democracy can you show up, not show a badge or identify yourself, and pick a young student off the street in Boston? It’s called kidnapping. That is authoritarian. This is Putin’s style. This is what Trump loves. As an Arab American who is a US citizen, I don’t feel safe here now because it is not just Arab Americans. You must always think, when they come after you, who is going to be next? \n\nSUGGESTION: Public Perspectives: Trump Presidency \n\nThe Fulcrum is committed to regularly reaching out to people across the U.S. and capturing their views on President Trump’s second term. We strive to gather opinions that represent a diverse range of voices and life experiences across the United States. If you are interested in sharing your views in the future, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email. We will consider it when the time for our next survey comes around. Send us your comments and photo to Newsroom@fulcrum.us
