Bulwark Takes: Sarah Longwell on Trump Voters' Concerns About Tariffs

Podcast Information:

• Title: Bulwark Takes
• Host/Author: The Bulwark
• Description: The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and Bill Kristol, and more.
• Episode: Sarah Longwell: Even Trump Voters Are Worried About Tariffs
• Release Date: April 14, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, Sarah Longwell, Publisher of The Bulwark, delves into a pressing economic issue: the growing unease among Trump voters regarding the current tariff regime. Released on April 14, 2025, the episode explores insights from focus groups conducted by The Bulwark, highlighting a shift in sentiment even among traditional Trump supporters. This comprehensive summary captures the key discussions, notable quotes, and the overarching conclusions drawn by Longwell.

Sarah Longwell Discusses Trump's Tariff Regime on Morning Joe

Sarah Longwell begins by recounting her recent appearance on Morning Joe, where she addressed the unexpected apprehensions among Trump voters concerning the administration's tariff policies. She emphasizes that even those who initially supported Trump with the expectation of lowered prices are now expressing significant worry.

Key Point:

• Expectation vs. Reality: Trump's campaign promise to reduce prices for consumers is not being fulfilled, leading to growing disillusionment.

Notable Quote:

“Trump was hired, as I say on Morning Joe, to lower people's prices and that's not happening.”
— Sarah Longwell [00:31]

Insights from Focus Groups: Voter Concerns

Longwell shares detailed findings from The Bulwark’s focus groups, which surveyed voters who shifted their support from President Biden in 2020 to Trump in the subsequent election. The focus groups revealed a nuanced perspective on tariffs, highlighting both confusion and fear among these voters.

Voter Testimonials

Trump Voter 1: Confusion and Uncertainty

“The tariffs I don't get, and it kind of concerns me a little bit, but I'm hoping it will make sense shortly. Right now, it just, it kind of doesn't to me.”
— Trump Voter 1 [01:09]

Trump Voter 2: Direct Impact and Disappointment

“I am too a little scared about the tariffs because the stock market has plunged a few times and I'm glad I just bought a newer car in December because the price is all up right now. So I'm still a little worried. I think it's been awful. I'm sorry. I had to get an oil change and it's not even at a regular car dealer. It cost me $10 more, so I'm not seeing it. And what I why I voted for Trump was for the prices to come down at the grocery store. Nothing's come down. That's why I voted for Trump. And they're talking about your cell phones, your cars, and everything is just going higher. I know it might hurt for us now, but when it hurts now, it's hard to recover for someone. So it really hits me in the gut.”
— Trump Voter 2 [01:24]

Analysis of Voter Sentiment

Longwell discusses how the focus group responses indicate a wider trend of disappointment among Trump voters. While not universally felt, a significant number of these voters are beginning to question the effectiveness of the current tariff policies.

Key Points:

• Primary Expectation: The core reason many voters supported Trump was the promise of lower consumer prices.
• Economic Impacts: Rising prices in essential goods like groceries, cars, and services are causing frustration.
• Business Uncertainty: Tariffs are introducing unpredictability in the market, affecting small businesses and supply chains.

Notable Quote:

“Payroll is really starting to say, is he going to focus on this at all? Is he going to do something about this? Because this is the thing that impacts me personally.”
— Sarah Longwell [02:27]

Economic Implications and Voter Trust

Longwell elaborates on how the unmet economic promises are eroding trust among Trump supporters. Despite a relatively strong macroeconomy under President Biden, personal struggles with inflation and living costs remain at the forefront of voters' minds.

Key Insights:

• Macro vs. Personal Economy: While national economic indicators may show strength, individual experiences with inflation tell a different story.
• Business Perspectives: Small business owners and those in supply chains express concerns that tariffs could decimate their operations, making future planning difficult.
• Approval Ratings: Polling data suggests Trump's overall approval may be higher than his approval rating regarding economic management, indicating skepticism about his ability to deliver on his promises.

Notable Quote:

“When he hasn't brought inflation down, when he hasn't brought prices down, and then on top of that, he's introducing this uncertainty into the market... it'll decimate my business.”
— Sarah Longwell [02:29]

Conclusion: Shifting Dynamics Among Trump Voters

Sarah Longwell concludes by highlighting the pivotal moment for Trump and his administration. The growing dissatisfaction among his base regarding tariffs may signal a shift in political support, especially if economic conditions continue to impact voters negatively.

Final Thoughts:

• Election Impact: Economic dissatisfaction could influence future electoral outcomes, as voters may reassess their support based on unmet economic expectations.
• Policy Reevaluation: Addressing the unintended consequences of tariffs is crucial for maintaining voter trust and ensuring economic stability.
• Long-Term Trust: Rebuilding confidence among Trump voters requires tangible actions to reduce consumer prices and stabilize the economy.

Notable Quote:

“When you see a lot of this polling come out showing that Trump's overall approval rating is actually higher than his approval rating on the economy, voters are starting to doubt that he is going to do the good things for the economy that he promised.”
— Sarah Longwell [03:00]

Final Remarks

Sarah Longwell’s analysis provides a sobering look into the challenges facing Trump voters who once placed their hopes on his economic promises. As tariffs continue to shape the economic landscape, the implications for political allegiance and voter behavior remain significant.

For a deeper dive into Sarah’s latest piece on Trump voters and tariffs, visit The Bulwark’s website.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the transcript have been excluded to maintain focus on the substantive discussion.