Supporters of Trump discuss his early policy accomplishments

Rewritten Article:

Host Sasha Pfeiffer dives into President Trump's first 100 days in office, exploring the American public's generally unfavorable opinion, especially among his voters. Our member station reporters touched base with voters across various states to hear their thoughts on his performance, focusing particularly on those who backed Trump in the 2020 election.

Jason Rosenbaum from St. Louis Public Radio starts us off:

Trump carried Missouri handily in 2020, with over 58% of the vote, and a big part of that success came from rural areas, where farmers like Bryant Kagay supported the GOP chief executive.

Bryant Kagay, a fourth-generation farmer, isn't a hardcore Republican or Democrat. He was uncomfortable with Democrats on social, fiscal, and environmental issues, but he wasn't thrilled with the candidates as a whole. Despite his reservations, Kagay cast his vote for Trump.

As it turns out, Kagay wasn't blown away by Trump's first 100 days, mainly due to the tariffs. Kagay's farm produces beef, corn, soybeans, and wheat, and, although his products' specific destinations remain unclear because he sells to domestic processors, he suspects the tariffs will eventually hit him where it hurts—in the wallet. Increased prices for fertilizer, equipment, and chemicals can be expected, he warns, due to government interference in markets that affect daily life.

However, Kagay holds out hope that the fallout from the tariffs could push Republicans back towards embracing free-market principles, allowing farmers like him to focus on what they do best.

Voters in Colorado, a solidly blue state, were also interviewed:

The state is controlled by Democrats, and Trump lost Colorado by a considerable 11-point margin in the last three presidential elections (in 2020). Yet, voters like Susan Virginia, a retired resident of Morrison in Colorado's foothills, are content with Trump's early tenure. Virginia's approval stems from the administration's shot at efficiency in government. She feels that, if a company was bankrupt, it would slash its spending to survive, and the same approach should apply to the federal government.

Virginia has mixed feelings about the tariffs, appreciating the concept but wondering why taxes haven't been reduced to offset the financial impact. She's aware that budget cuts are tough to implement without Congressional approval, but her husband, Frank Virginia, a registered Republican and small business owner, thinks her concerns may be overblown.

Maayan Silver from WUWM in Milwaukee provides insights from the swing state of Wisconsin:

In Wisconsin, Trump eked out a victory by a slim margin in 2020, and every vote mattered, especially in Milwaukee, its largest county and urban core. Rebecca Smith, a kindergarten teacher living in the city, voted for Trump in all three elections because she wanted more secure borders.

Smith, whose husband is an immigrant from Costa Rica, supports the president's efforts to overhaul U.S. immigration policy, viewing it as a necessary step to provide greater security. However, she realizes the consequences of deportations for families affected and hopes that legislative action is taken to make the legal process more efficient.

Her approval of Trump's economic policy and enthusiasm for the government's efficiency drive are balanced by concerns about programs like Head Start, which offers support to low-income children preparing for school. Smith recognizes that strong educational outcomes are essential for the growth of the future labor force and U.S. citizenship.

Sources:

Sasha Pfeiffer delves into President Trump's first 100 days, highlighting the public's generally unfavorable opinion, particularly among his voters.
Elements from Trump's performance in his first 100 days, as assessed by his voters, are under scrutiny across various states.
Missouri is one of the states where opinions on Trump's performance were tracked, with a focus on voters who supported him in the 2020 election.
Bryant Kagay, a Missouri farmer, voted for Trump in 2020 and finds himself less than impressed with his first 100 days due to the tariffs.
Kagay, a fourth-generation farmer, believes the tariffs will eventually hurt his livelihood by increasing prices for necessities like fertilizers and equipment.
Kagay hopes the fallout from the tariffs will prompt Republicans to re-embrace free-market principles, allowing farmers to focus on their work.
Colorado, a solidly blue state, has Democrats in control, but it's not all gloomy, as some voters like Susan Virginia voice support for Trump's early tenure.
Virginia supports the administration's attempt at efficiency in government but questions the lack of tax reductions to offset the financial impact of the tariffs.
The Virginia family, with Frank Virginia being a registered Republican and small business owner, has differing perspectives on the tariffs' impact.
Wisconsin, a swing state, saw Trump win by a slim margin in 2020, and voters' opinions on his performance, including Rebecca Smith, are of interest.
Smith, a Milwaukee kindergarten teacher, voted for Trump in all three elections due to her desire for secure borders and support for his immigration policy.
Smith acknowledges the consequences of deportations for affected families but feels legislative action should be taken to streamline the legal process.
Programs like Head Start are a concern for Smith, as she believes strong educational outcomes are crucial for the growth of the future labor force and U.S. citizenship.
News on government policy, such as immigration and economic policy, forms part of the general news landscape, along with updates on weather, sports, and crime.
The government's involvement in war and conflicts is a significant aspect of policy-and-legislation coverage, with implications for foreign relations and national security.
Sports coverage encompasses a vast array of events, including baseball (MLB), basketball (NBA, NCAA basketball), hockey (NHL), golf, tennis, and even auto-racing, horse racing, and mixed martial arts.
Sports betting has gained attention as a topic of discussion in politics, with some advocating for its legalization and regulation to generate additional revenue.
The government's role in weather forecasting and analysis is crucial for preparing for extreme weather events and ensuring public safety.
As Sasha Pfeiffer moves forward with her investigation into President Trump's policies and their impact on American voters, she continues to explore various aspects of the environment, politics, and society.