Trump’s Game Plan to Win Back the Working Class

President Donald Trump’s approval among white non-college graduates has slipped into negative territory, with a CNN/SSRS poll showing 49% support and 51% disapproval. A separate survey of nearly 2,000 Trump voters reveals one in five may not back a Republican in 2028, a shift concentrated among working-class supporters. Economic concerns—housing, groceries, gas, and debt—are driving dissatisfaction, despite strong macroeconomic indicators, as global tensions like the war in Iran push energy prices higher. To address these issues, Trump is rolling out policies targeting affordability, a term he dismisses. Last week, he signed an executive order expanding retirement savings access via TrumpIRA.gov, offering a $1,000 government match to help workers build a nest egg of around $465,000 by age 65. The move builds on earlier measures, like the “no tax on tips” provision in his spending bill and upcoming savings vehicles named after him. The strategy includes controversial proposals like banning institutional investors from buying single-family homes to boost supply, a plan that has drawn support from progressive lawmakers. Trump’s earlier push to cap credit card rates at 25% stalled after banks resisted, though Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren recently urged regulators to revisit the idea. Experts suggest these policies aim to mitigate losses among working-class voters, a demographic critical to Trump’s 2024 victory. The Center for American Progress noted he secured 56% of working-class support that year, broadening the Republican coalition beyond white voters. With midterms approaching, Trump’s focus on affordability reflects an effort to retain a key voting bloc amid economic strain.