Asian-Americans’ trust in Trump fading as economic woes increase, survey finds

Asian-Americans are increasingly disillusioned with US President Donald Trump and his Republican Party as economic concerns and healthcare costs rise ahead of the crucial November 3 midterm elections, according to a recent survey. While the general trend among Asian-American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) aligns with the broader US electorate, their views are often more pronounced due to heightened scrutiny under the Trump administration.

Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of AAPIVote, which conducted the poll with AP-NORC, noted that while the ranking of issues remains similar, the level of concern among Asian-Americans is significantly higher. Even if many Asian families feel they are economically better off than the US average, immigration policies have led to economic insecurity, particularly in light of ICE arrests and deportations.

The survey, conducted from September 8-15, revealed that 90% of AAPI respondents considered the economy the most important factor in their midterm voting decision, compared to 73% prioritizing healthcare. Consumer confidence has declined, inflation has accelerated, and gas prices have risen amid the ongoing Iran war started by the US, leading to widespread frustration and fear among AAPI voters.

Compared to the 2024 presidential election, AAPI support for the Republican Party has declined, with nearly twice as many now trusting Democrats more than Republicans to handle economic and immigration issues. Ramakrishnan pointed out that Trump's honeymoon period after the 2024 election was brief, lasting only two months, as he implemented policies that have proven to be detrimental to the AAPI community.

Despite this, around one quarter of AAPI adults still view Trump favorably or approve of his presidency, compared to 33% of overall US voters. A recent report by Stop AAPI Hate revealed that expressions of anti-immigrant hostility have increased by 50% among 1,825 reported Asian hate incidents between January 2023 and June 2026.

These incidents often involve racist rhetoric and threats of deportation, echoing the anti-immigrant policies of the second Trump administration. Other concerns among AAPI voters include foreign interference in US elections, domestic voting disputes, misinformation, legal challenges to election results, and threats of violence at polling stations.