When Donald Trump ran for president again, fixing the US economy was one of his strongest promises. He spoke often about lowering prices, creating jobs, and making daily life easier for Americans.
One year after returning to the White House, voters from different states and political views say the results are mixed. Some feel real relief, while others are still struggling with high costs and limited job opportunities.
A Republican voter from rural Michigan says life has improved compared to last year. At the start of the year, basic needs were hard to manage. Gas prices were extremely high, and food deliveries were unreliable, which caused grocery prices to jump. Eggs reached as high as eleven dollars in her area.
Living on Social Security with limited food assistance made things even harder. Some days, she had to choose between feeding herself or her dogs. Now, she says prices have come down and daily life feels more stable. Compared to last year, she describes the change as dramatic.
In Minnesota, Anthony Landaeta, an independent voter and father, feels pressure from rising living costs. While both he and his wife have stable careers, childcare expenses shocked them. Paying around twenty five thousand dollars per year has forced them to cut back on food spending.
He also says he struggles to trust the president’s economic claims. In his view, Trump talks more about success than delivering it. He rates the administration low on economic performance and is frustrated by shrinkflation, where products cost the same but contain less.
Jim Sullivan, a Republican from Indiana, supports Trump but admits he felt financially stronger during Trump’s first term. While inflation may be lower on paper, he says everyday costs like electricity remain very high. He believes stricter immigration policies may also be affecting parts of the economy.
In Nebraska, independent voter Devynn De Velasco worries that foreign policy issues are distracting from economic concerns. She says Trump rarely speaks about the economy now. Fears of an economic collapse have led her family to save more cautiously instead of investing in a home.
Meanwhile, in Maryland, recent graduate Denise Demontagnac has been unable to find stable work despite applying daily. She says companies are not hiring because they cannot afford to. Claims about a strong job market feel disconnected from her reality.
Overall, voters agree on one thing. The economy affects daily life deeply, and while some see progress, many feel left behind.
