A recent poll from the University of Massachusetts Amherst suggests that some Trump voters may be having second thoughts about their decision. According to the poll, only 69% of 2024 Trump voters are “very confident” they made the right choice, down from 74% in April. This confidence gap is notable, especially when compared to Kamala Harris voters, with 78% expressing confidence in their vote.
The poll also reveals that about 1 in 10 Trump voters said they either regretted their votes to some degree, had “mixed feelings,” or wished they hadn’t voted. Furthermore, 14% of Trump voters said if they could redo their 2024 votes, they would either vote for Harris (6%), vote third-party (5%), or not vote at all (3%).
Several factors may be contributing to this growing discontent among Trump voters. His administration’s handling of the Epstein files fiasco, for instance, has been widely criticized, with 33% of Trump voters believing the administration is hiding information. Trump’s military strikes on Iran and increasing support for arming Ukraine have also been met with skepticism, particularly among young adults. A CBS News-YouGov poll showed Trump’s approval rating among adults under 30 plummeted from 55% in February to 28% last month.
Additionally, Trump’s tariff policies and lack of focus on inflation have raised concerns among Republicans. The UMass poll suggests small but significant GOP defections on various issues, including Trump’s handling of the economy and foreign policy.
A Yahoo News-YouGov poll asked people whether they knew others who regretted their votes, providing an alternative perspective on voter regret. The results showed 17% of Trump voters knew someone who regretted voting for him, double the 8% of Harris voters who knew someone with regrets about voting for her. This approach might uncover hidden trends, as people may be more willing to acknowledge others’ regrets rather than their own.
Some political scientists believe this type of question can be a more effective way to gauge voter sentiment, allowing respondents to hint at their own views while maintaining a level of detachment. As one expert noted, saying “I don’t regret my vote, but I know people who do” might indicate the person has some qualms of their own.
While it’s still early to determine the extent of Trump voter regret, the data suggests a growing number of voters are having second thoughts. As Trump’s presidency continues, it will be essential to monitor these trends and understand the factors driving voter discontent.