Trump supporters, how do you feel about the way he's walking back his promises?
The feelings of Trump supporters regarding his walking back of campaign promises can be inferred from several sources, although direct quotes from supporters are not provided. Here are some key points:
Expectations and Trust in Trump's Policies
Trump supporters generally had high expectations that Trump would implement the policies he promised. For example, a significant majority (94%) of Trump supporters believed he had clearly explained his policies on issues like immigration and the economy1.
Perception of Policy Clarity
Before the election, Trump supporters felt that Trump had been clear about his policy positions, which contributed to their trust in him. However, if he is now walking back some of these promises, it could potentially erode this trust.
Acceptability of Actions
While Trump supporters were open to some unconventional actions by Trump, such as using executive orders to implement policies (58% found this acceptable), they were less accepting of actions that seemed to violate traditional norms, like firing government workers for disloyalty or pardoning friends and supporters (58% and 57% found these unacceptable, respectively)1.
Economic Promises
Trump's campaign heavily focused on economic issues, including lowering prices and addressing inflation. If he is now walking back these promises, it could disappoint supporters who saw the economy as a very important issue (93% said it was very important to their vote)1.
General Sentiment
Given the strong negative views on national conditions and economic pessimism among Trump supporters, any perceived backpedaling on key promises could exacerbate their dissatisfaction. Only 5% of Trump supporters were satisfied with the way things were going in the country before the election, and many were very concerned about economic issues1.
In summary, while there is no direct quote from Trump supporters on this specific issue, it is likely that walking back campaign promises, especially on critical issues like the economy and immigration, could lead to disappointment and potentially erode the trust and support that Trump has built among his base.