Trump Voters Express Disappointment as Second Term Begins

Footage reveals growing discontent among Republican, independent, and Democratic voters ahead of State of the Union address

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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In the hours leading up to President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech one year into his second term, MS NOW collected footage revealing widespread voter disappointment with the president's policies and actions. Interviews with Trump supporters and independent voters in Iowa, Michigan, and New York highlighted concerns over a lack of transparency, continued military interventionism, and the president's personal profiteering from the office.

Why it matters

The footage provides a window into the shifting political landscape as Trump enters the second half of his second term, with voters across party lines expressing dissatisfaction. This could signal challenges for the president and his party in the 2028 elections, particularly if the economic and foreign policy issues raised continue to resonate with the electorate.

The details

Lana Rankin, an Iowa resident, said she would never vote Republican again, criticizing Trump for being "stupid" and only caring about himself. Taylor Ludwig, a Trump voter from Michigan, said she had "expected a bit more" from the president and was holding off on fully judging his performance. Scarlet Johnson of New York accused the Trump administration of lacking transparency around the release of the Epstein files, while independent voter James Colasurdo, also from New York, complained that Trump had done nothing to remove the country from expensive international conflicts.

  • The footage was collected in the hours leading up to Trump's State of the Union speech one year into his second term.

The players

Lana Rankin

An Iowa resident who said she would never vote Republican again and criticized Trump for being "stupid" and only caring about himself.

Taylor Ludwig

A Trump voter from Capac, Michigan who said she had "expected a bit more" from the president and was holding off on fully judging his performance.

Scarlet Johnson

A resident of Brooklyn, New York who accused the Trump administration of lacking transparency around the release of the Epstein files.

James Colasurdo

An independent voter from Brooklyn, New York who complained that Trump had done nothing to remove the country from expensive international conflicts.

Katy Tur

An anchor for MS NOW who provided analysis on the growing discontent among voters of all political affiliations with Trump's policies and personal conduct.

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What they’re saying

“He needs to get his act together, and our representatives in Iowa needs to stop following his lead. I'm never voting Republican ever again.”

— Lana Rankin (MS NOW)

“First time around, and he did a good job — but then he got stupid. It's all about him. He just wants to be God and he's gonna take over the world.”

— Lana Rankin (MS NOW)

“I was very, very hopeful that things were really going to just kind of go back to what they were. I'd say before Biden.”

— Taylor Ludwig (MS NOW)

“Absolutely not. No, no, they have not. So, I don't have any great expectations of them releasing them fully and completely.”

— Scarlet Johnson (MS NOW)

“He has not prevented any wars. In fact, all he's doing is stalling a much bigger war in the middle east. I don't see the accomplishments here.”

— James Colasurdo (MS NOW)

What’s next

The president is set to deliver his State of the Union address, where he may attempt to address the growing discontent among voters. However, the footage suggests that he faces an uphill battle in regaining the trust of many who supported him in the past.

The takeaway

The footage reveals a stark contrast between Trump's public persona and the private frustrations of voters across the political spectrum. As the president enters the second half of his second term, he will need to grapple with these concerns if he hopes to maintain support and secure a Republican victory in the 2028 elections.