When you think about Donald Trump, what’sthe first word that comes to mind? When you think aboutDonald Trump, what’s the firstword that comes to mind? “Aggressive.”Kelsey, 32, Ill., white, ind. “Overpowering.”Abbie, 29, Mo., white, ind. “Reckless.”Quinton, 33, Ga., Black, Rep. Over the summer, some pollsters found declining support for President Trump among young people. In a Pew survey in August, for instance, 69 percent of Trump voters under 35 said they approved of his performance. That’s a very high number, but it’s a significant dip from the 92 percent who had said the same earlier in the year. For the latest installment of the America in Focus project, we talked to 11 of these voters — Trump voters in their late 20s and early 30s who told us beforehand that they either somewhat disapproved of his performance or had mixed feelings about it — to understand their specific concerns. Many participants don’t see the economic improvement they hoped for, something that is particularly pertinent to, as one participant mentioned, the working-class Americans who voted for Mr. Trump. Some said changes were needed but the ones being made were too aggressive or focused on the wrong things, like tariffs. A couple were unhappy with the way the United States is handling the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, or the way immigration policy is being carried out. These voters still don’t think much of Democrats, however — and they had interesting theories about why more voters in their 20s selected Republicans in 2024 than in the last few elections. Katherine Miller, Kristen Soltis Anderson and Adrian J. Rivera Ms. Miller is a staff editor in Opinion. Ms. Soltis Anderson is a pollster. Mr. Rivera is an editorial assistant in Opinion. ParticipantsQuinton 33, Ga., Black, Republican, account manager John 28, Fla., Black, Republican, delivery driver Sarah 32, Mont., white, Republican, engineer Juan 32, N.J., Latino, independent, customer service Jody 32, Mo., white, Republican, construction Abbie 29, Mo., white, Republican, nanny Kelsey 32, Ill., white, independent, technology Mustafa 28, Ga., white, Republican, automotive Briana 33, Mich., Black, independent, marketing Cut 33, Tenn., Black, Republican, driver Cory 31, Tenn., white, Republican, construction Transcript Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson What is going well in America these days? Cory, 31, Tenn., white, Republican, construction I feel like 401(k)s are doing well right now. On the not-so-well side of things, inflation is one thing that really irks me. Where I’m living, what we used to be able to afford in our suburb is unrealistic at this point. And the tariffs are going to raise prices even more. Jody, 32, Mo., white, Republican, construction I tend to be more positive about finances and investments. There’s inflation, but it hasn’t really stopped our economy; from my perspective in the construction industry, we haven’t slowed down. Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson What’s going badly in the United States these days? Quinton, 33, Ga., Black, Republican, account manager Just what’s going on with current events. It’s like everyone has a side and opinion. People can’t be respectful as far as their viewpoints. It turns very volatile, a lot of times turns racial. I’m tired of seeing it on social media. I’m tired of hearing about it on the news. It’s everywhere. The inflation, too, and I’m tired of renting. I’m trying to purchase a home here in the next — I keep saying, “the next couple of years.” I’ve been saying that for 10 years now. It’s been hard. The job market’s not the best. I’m thankful to still have a job, yes, but a carton of eggs, it’s ridiculous on top of everything else. So I feel like a lot of people, including myself, are in survival mode. Abbie, 29, Mo., white, Republican, nanny I agree: the inflation and people butting heads with each other about everything right now. John, 28, Fla., Black, Republican, delivery driver Everything just seems mad expensive these days. Prices used to be way lower. On a scale of one to five, how are you feeling abouthow things are going in America these days? On a scale of one to five, how areyou feeling about how things are goingin America these days?1 means Everything’s a complete disaster. and 5 means Everything is incredible. 1 No one raised a hand. 2 Quinton,