Focus groups: Nevada swing voters turning on Trump
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A majority of Nevada swing voters in our latest Engagious/Sago focus groups who backed President Trump in November said they now disapprove of his administration's actions.
Why it matters: These swing voters' assessment of the administration were the most negative of any of our monthly panels this year besides March, when Michigan voters recoiled against Trump's tariff threats and antagonism toward neighbor Canada.
The big picture: Concerns about inflation, the "big, beautiful bill" and the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's associates drove the change of heart for the Nevada voters.
- The Nevadans' comments amplify downward trends for Trump that are emerging in several national polls.
- Seven of the 12 participants said they disapprove of the administration's overall actions since January, while two said they are neutral and three said they are supportive.
- Asked which is more important to them — inflation or Epstein — 10 of the 12 participants said inflation.
What they're saying: "I disapprove because I was hoping that the basic cost of living would go down, gas prices, grocery prices, and for the most part I haven't seen any change," said Nicole M., 47.
- Tammy S., 52, said Trump made promises that he "just didn't deliver on."
- "While Democrats continue to pummel the president over the Epstein case, they're ignoring Nevada swing voters' immediate concern: the stubbornly high cost of living," said Rich Thau, President of Engagious, who moderated the focus groups.
- Panelists also expressed broadly negative views about the Democratic Party, hinting at challenges for Democrats trying to flip control of Congress in the midterms.
How it works: Axios observed two Engagious/Sago online focus groups Tuesday night with 12 Nevadans, all from Clark County, who voted for Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2024. Ten are independents and two are Republicans.
- While a focus group is not a statistically significant sample like a poll, the responses show how some voters are thinking and talking about current events.
The details: All 12 respondents knew Trump had signed into law something called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," but most were confused over the details.
- When it came to the Medicaid provisions in the new law, ten of 12 said they liked the tighter work requirements — but because of provisions that could cause millions of people to lose health coverage, nine of the 12 said they oppose the Medicaid provisions.
- Similarly, there was confusion around the legislation's No Tax on Tips aspect — a salient issue in Las Vegas' economy. Once they read details, all 12 said "no taxes on tips" would be an inaccurate description.
- Five of the 12 concluded that they liked the law, while four were neutral and three dislike it.
All 12 respondents knew who Epstein was. Eight said they believe there's a cover-up around his clients and associates and that they want full transparency, and most of those were suspicious about Trump being engaged in a cover-up to protect his own reputation.
- Said Mary M., 44: "It just feels like typical Trump deflection, right? Give me a straight answer about Jeff Epstein and let's move forward, right?"
- "I believe they're all guilty, but who is being protected?" said Cymbra V., 61. "I think it's very, very problematic that Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of trafficking, but we have no idea who she trafficked to. And Trump said he was going to be transparent."
- Said Eddie D., 43, "The guy's dead and he deserved it, in my opinion. But I think there are bigger fish to fry."
