Trump’s Early Honeymoon Is Over as Young People Turn Away

Trump’s approval rating has quickly tanked down to 39% (it was 53% on inauguration day). Young Americans, aged 18 to 29, rapidly soured on Trump for ignoring skyrocketing prices and inflation.

That’s according to John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics and a frequent New York Times Columnist who specializes in Generation Z attitudes. He writes:

Economic Concerns Dominate Gen Z’s Political Priorities

The economy remains the dominant issue for young Americans, shaping their views more than any other factor. Inflation and prices (25%), jobs and the economy (15%), and healthcare (10%) top their list of concerns. No other issue polled above 7%. While cultural debates capture headlines, young voters are far more focused on their financial reality—rising costs, job security, and access to healthcare.

This economic anxiety also shapes their views on Trump’s presidency. Recent Marquette Law School polling shows that most young voters doubt his early economic policies will improve their financial situations:

• Nearly half (49%) believe his policies will increase inflation rather than lower it.
• Only 38% expect them to help their financial situation.
• Tariffs remain deeply unpopular—50% say they hurt the economy, while just 18% think they provide any benefit.

Despite Trump’s efforts to brand himself as a champion for the working class, these numbers suggest that Gen Z isn’t convinced his economic approach will deliver real improvements in their lives. As costs continue to rise, Gen Z’s patience for economic solutions may wear thin ahead of 2026 and 2028.

Cultural Issues Still Matter, But They’re Not the Main Event

While Gen Z remains divided on social and cultural issues, economic realities are taking priority. According to the latest YouGov/Economist poll, only one major Trump policy tested received majority support:

✅ Banning transgender athletes from women’s sports (53% support, 30% oppose).

Most other key policy initiatives faced strong opposition:

❌ Abolishing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (12% support, 57% oppose).
❌ Ending U.S. humanitarian aid to foreign countries (22% support, 57% oppose).
❌ Ending the IRS’s free online tax filing system (18% support, 55% oppose).
❌ Abolishing the U.S. Department of Education (17% support, 50% oppose).
❌ Deporting U.S. citizens convicted of crimes to foreign prisons (29% support, 46% oppose).
❌ Rolling back energy-efficiency regulations for dishwashers, showerheads, and gas stoves (22% support, 40% oppose).

While cultural wedge issues still generate headlines, Gen Z is far more focused on economic concerns than partisan culture wars.

Early polling in 2025 presents a multifaceted view of youth political engagement. While cultural issues still exert influence, economic challenges—rising costs, employment instability, and healthcare accessibility—are the principal concerns for Gen Z voters.

Click to read more from John Della Volpe.