Lo and behold. At least a few Trump voters are opening their eyes.
A poll released last month by The Wall Street Journal found that most wanted a tempered, less assertive set of policies than Trump promised in the most unbridled moments of his campaign. The Journal in recent weeks followed up with nearly two dozen of Trump’s supporters and discovered a divergence: Some expressed regrets or concerns, while many were gleeful over his early actions to shake up Washington.
Emily Anderson, from Duluth, Minn., always considered herself a Democrat but backed Trump after Kennedy dropped out of the race. Anderson aligned with Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” messaging, particularly the focus on getting toxins out of food. Kennedy is now
Health and Human Services secretary.
Anderson, who works with disabled adults, said Kennedy’s government role is the only bright spot for a vote she categorizes as the “biggest mistake of my life.”
She is horrified by Trump’s focus on deportations and use of Guantanamo Bay to hold migrants. She alleged that Trump has been too focused on “ridiculous” flashy moves, such as banning paper straws and renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” Her daughter’s occupational therapist has stopped taking new patients over fears that the practice will have its federal funding dry up.
“I feel so stupid, guilty, regretful—embarrassed is a huge one. I am absolutely embarrassed that I voted for Trump,” said Anderson, 30.
About a third of Americans support all or most of Trump’s policies and plans, according to a February survey by
Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, 17% of those surveyed said they support some of what he is putting forward. Forty-seven percent of Americans oppose all or most of his plans. That survey had Trump with a 51% disapproval rating, with 47% of Americans saying they approve of the job he is doing as president.