Young Trump Supporters Vow to Sit Out Midterms After Feeling 'Betrayed'

Focus group reveals disillusionment among 18-29 year old voters who backed Trump in 2024

Mar. 16, 2026 at 12:24pm

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A focus group of young Trump supporters in North Carolina found that many are suffering from buyer's remorse just over a year into his second term. Participants cited issues like high prices, escalating international conflicts, and Trump's focus on personal grievances as reasons they no longer support the president and are unlikely to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.

Why it matters

Trump's ability to maintain support from younger voters was crucial to his 2024 re-election victory. If this demographic continues to sour on the president, it could have significant implications for Republican prospects in the 2026 midterms and beyond.

The details

The focus group, conducted by the Washington Post outside Charlotte, included several 18-29 year old men who voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024. Participants expressed feeling "betrayed" by the president, citing issues like high inflation, the US involvement in the Iran conflict, and Trump's focus on his own personal grievances rather than the concerns of his younger supporters.

  • Trump won re-election in 2024.
  • The focus group was conducted in March 2026, over a year into Trump's second term.

The players

Joshua Byers

A 26-year-old document clerk who voted for Trump but now feels "betrayed" and is unlikely to vote in the midterms.

James Wiest

A 23-year-old arcade technician who supported Trump but is now demoralized by the president's focus on personal grievances.

Lilly Burrow

A 23-year-old teacher who voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024 but is now critical of his handling of the Iran conflict.

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What they’re saying

“I feel betrayed. I don't know why we are fighting [in Iran] if we have never been attacked. I just don't understand why.”

— Joshua Byers, document clerk (Washington Post)

“We are stepping into World War III. We just get closer and closer every year.”

— James Wiest, arcade technician (Washington Post)

“It does change how I feel about Trump. He said there would be no new wars, and he said that gas would be below $3 a gallon. … I am not happy with him right now.”

— Lilly Burrow, teacher (Washington Post)

What’s next

The upcoming 2026 midterm elections will be a key test of whether Trump's waning support among younger voters translates into lower Republican turnout in key races.

The takeaway

This focus group highlights the risks for Trump and the GOP of alienating a demographic that was crucial to the president's 2024 re-election victory. If younger voters continue to sour on Trump, it could have far-reaching consequences for the Republican party in future elections.