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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michiganders split on Trump tariffs, but almost nobody sees immediate benefit
Michiganders are split on the value of tariffs as a long-term economic strategy but almost nobody says they are seeing short-term benefits from President Donald Trump's signature policy, 100 days into his second term. That's a major takeaway from 100 Michigan residents interviewed over the last several weeks by reporters from the Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and Center for Community Journalism — Michigan, who fanned out across the state to seek Michiganders' views on Trump's first 100 days back in office. Trump has imposed a wide range of tariffs of at least 10% on most countries around the world — and as high as 145% on China — in a series of moves that have caused massive stock market swings and provoked retaliatory tariffs from other nations. He has also delayed the implementation of some tariffs and granted exemptions for certain products, such as smartphones, computers, semiconductors and other electronics. On April 29, while en route to Michigan aboard Air Force One, Trump signed executive orders that ease some tariffs that impact automakers in a move that was welcomed by industry leaders but that analysts said will still result in higher vehicle prices. Nearly half of the Michigan residents recently interviewed about Trump's performance mentioned tariffs as a significant factor in their assessments. Of those, nearly half blasted tariffs or the way Trump has implemented them, while a roughly equal number said they favor the policies, adding in some cases that Michiganders will need to endure some short-term pain before the benefit of tariffs are evident. Views on Trump's tariff policies were split along party lines, with Republicans mostly favoring Trump's tariffs and Democrats and independent voters mostly opposed. More: We asked 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days: Here's what they said Republican voter Perry Blackwell, 32, a Port Huron factory worker, said the tariffs should help wean Americans off of foreign products. "We need more factories here and the only way to do that is to jack up the prices," said Blackwell, who said he voted for Trump in November. More: It's been 100 days. How is Trump doing? Have your say in a letter to the editor | Letters But Democratic voter Jim Clair, 72, of Ortonville, who said he voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris, said Trump's tariff have been a "disaster" that have cost him more than $100,000 in retirement savings as stock market indexes have reacted negatively. "He should've never been brought back,' Clair said of Trump. Clair was one of several Michiganders interviewed who said they are already experiencing negative impacts from Trump's tariffs. Mark Lewis, 68, of Madison Heights, who receives food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), said he's noticed prices of groceries and other items, such as batteries, continuing to rise under Trump, and he blames tariffs. 'I don't think we Americans are taking it as seriously as we should,' Lewis said. 'A recession, I think, is around the corner.' Garrett Ellis, 52, of Detroit, who considers himself an independent and said he did not vote in November, said tariffs are "killing the world." Ellis worked as a machine operator in automotive manufacturing but said he's out of work and looking for a job. He said the industry is slow due to difficulties in acquiring materials. "He's cutting everything out," Ellis said. "How are people going to live?" Several Republican voters acknowledged inflation remains a problem and tariffs are not helping but said it will take some time before Michiganders see the value of Trump's tariff policies. Ruby Meekhof, 66, of Cadillac, said that as a retired dairy farmer she has firsthand experience with unfair trade policies directed at the U.S. from Canada and Europe with respect to milk. She said she supports what Trump is trying to do. "I realize that we have to go through some pain before things get reset," Meekhof said. Some Michiganders said tariffs are not so much the problem, as the way Trump implemented them. Warren Holloway, 43, of Sterling Heights, a onetime Democrat who now is less sure of his political leanings, said he is hopeful that the chaos Trump has generated in his first 100 days will end up benefitting Americans and believes the aim is to improve the country's global standing. "The hot button issue is the tariffs — tariffs could have had a much more positive spin if done with a scalpel rather than a sledgehammer," Holloway said. Not everyone's views on tariffs aligned with their partisan leanings. Amy Barbieri, 45, of Warren, a small business owner who said she voted for Trump in 2020 and 2024, said the president has lost her support over tariffs. Barbieri, who sells metaphysical goods like tarot cards on TikTok Shop, said she was more of a Democrat before 2020 but this year displayed a large Trump flag in her yard. But her views have changed."I've made good money selling on TikTok, but I import from China," she said. "So now I just lost my small business." Evan Ellis, 33, of Ferndale, who identifies as a Democrat or independent, said many of Trump's actions are undermining the rule of law and have him worried about the future of democracy in the U.S. Yet Ellis said he sees a rare bright spot in Trump's tariff policies. He believes tariffs could help inhibit the country from manufacturing and selling cheap products that end up in landfills. Reporters Dana Afana, Jackie Charniga, Johnathan Hogan, Darcie Moran, Adrienne Roberts, Andrea May Sahouri and Beki San Martin contributed to this story. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michiganders split on Trump tariffs, but few see immediate benefit
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
We asked 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days: Here's what they said
We asked 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days: Here's what they said Michiganders have a lot of words when it comes to describing the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term in office. Here are a handful: Alarming. Chaotic. Dynamic. Glorious. Extraordinary. Evil. At a rally at Macomb Community College on April 29, Trump celebrated his crossing the 100-day mark, returning to the stage in a state he has repeatedly campaigned in and vied for as a victorious hero, depicting his still-nascent second term to date as an unequivocal success, an unrivaled achievement, a national rebirth. "After 100 days back in the White House, America is a free, proud and sovereign nation once more and our magnificent destiny is closer than ever before," he said. "Our golden age has only just begun." And yes, the Free Press heard much the same from many Michiganders in the last month. From Erica Rodriguez, 45, of Midland, who said Trump came into office "with guns blazing" and from Roxanne Jabalee, 66, of St. Clair Shores, who called the president and his first 100 days, "brilliant." But a lot of other words and feelings were also employed to describe Trump's baldly aggressive approach and historic attempt to remake the federal government, and the worldwide economic order, in the few months since he was inaugurated on Jan. 20. Many were not nearly so unanimous, so glowing, so kind. "Wake up, America, before he crashes everything," said Jerry Catlin, 78, of Lapeer. Over the last several weeks, more than four dozen reporters from the Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and Center for Community Journalism - Michigan talked to over 100 people representing a diverse selection of residents from every region, political leaning and background. The result is a series of brief interviews that offer a sketch of how Trump's agenda and efforts are being received in a key swing state that last year for the second time helped elect him as president (and in the intervening term helped defeat him). The hope is that, when viewed as a whole, it will be akin to an impressionist painting, portraying something more nuanced and complete than any single interview, and less reductive and reactionary than any single political rally when it comes to gauging reaction to Trump's second first 100 days. The hope is also that it shows the scope of how widely Michiganders differ and that, while their concerns for the future and their appreciation or antipathy for the administration vary wildly, there is also an ideological, philosophical or moral diversity that should be acknowledged. Take, for instance, Barbara Ritch, a 75-year-old living in Holly. She's been worried about the number of immigrants unlawfully entering the country and cheered on Trump's efforts to protect the border and deport illegal migrants. 'He's doing what he said he would do,' she said. 'His promises are being fulfilled." Or take Betty Romo, 40, of Lincoln Park, who moved to Michigan decades ago from Jalisco, Mexico. She didn't vote but sees what's happening in government as deeply sad. "My heart aches for my community, for the fear we live with every day. The uncertainty about our future, about whether we'll be safe or allowed to stay, makes me feel helpless," she said. Or take AJ Whitehead, a 21-year-old junior Michigan State University student from Warren. A Black man who voted for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, he's concerned about the cost of living, lost opportunity and political divisiveness in an atmosphere where the president has moved to strip away efforts to promote and protect diversity and equality. "The whole Trump administration doesn't make it seem like I have a secure future in a way,' he said. "I don't really know what my future holds.' President Trump's first one hundred days in one word Reporters across the state ask Michigan residents how they would describe President Trump's first one hundred days in office, in one word. And on it goes. From a lifelong Republican like 66-year-old Penny Swan in Hillsdale who voted third-party last year because she disagrees with what she considers a cruel immigration policy that threatens to sweep up and deport Americans, to Amy Barbieri, a small business owner in Warren who considers herself more of a Democrat but voted for Trump in the last two elections, and who now says tariffs and concerns over the future of TikTok (which she used to make sales) have ruined her business. "So, no, I'm not a Trump supporter anymore," she said. Carol Kuhn, an 84-year-old retired autoworker from Oxford, has been thrilled with the first months of Trump's second term so far. 'Every morning I get up, I thank God that President Trump is our president and we don't have to have what we had for four years,' she said, referring to former President Joe Biden's term. In Hamtramck, 37-year-old Kate Mason, a Democrat who supported Harris described the Trump administration as a "dumpster fire" that's "dismantling democracy right in front of us." "We're gonna have to do a reckoning on the left and figure out how we come back from this," she said. And on it goes, in a state and a country where Trump's bold approach to his second term has people amazed, shocked, stunned, elated. Here's a chance, below, to look at all of those interviews, divvied by region, with more than 100 Michiganders and what they had to say about the president's second term to date, how far it's gone and what they think about where it might be headed. Read all 100 interviews by region: Want more local journalism like this? Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press. This series was reported by: Dana Afana, Lily Altavena, Sarah Atwood, Tresa Baldas, Duante Beddingfield, Dave Boucher, Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, Jackie Charniga, Natalie Davies, Paul Egan, Eric Guzmán, Christina Hall, Brad Heineman, Clara Hendrickson, Brendel Hightower, Johnathan Hogan, Violet Ikonomova, Cassidey Kavathas, Georgea Kovanis, Jamie L. LaReau, Eric D. Lawrence, Arpan Lobo, Keith Matheny, Sarah Moore, Darcie Moran, David Rodriguez Muñoz, Corey J. Murray, David Panian, Jenna Prestininzi, Nour Rahal, Nushrat Rahman, Liam Rappleye, Don Reid, JC Reindl, Adrienne Roberts, Andrea May Sahouri, Beki San Martin, Susan Selasky, Kristen Jordan Shamus, Scott Talley, Kristi Tanner, Connor Veenstra, Tess Ware, Niraj Warikoo, Jalen Williams, John Wisely, Suzanne Nolan Wisler and Frank Witsil.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
We asked 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days: Here's what they said
Michiganders have a lot of words when it comes to describing the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term in office. Here are a handful: Alarming. Chaotic. Dynamic. Glorious. Extraordinary. Evil. At a rally at Macomb Community College on April 29, Trump celebrated his crossing the 100-day mark, returning to the stage in a state he has repeatedly campaigned in and vied for as a victorious hero, depicting his still-nascent second term to date as an unequivocal success, an unrivaled achievement, a national rebirth. "After 100 days back in the White House, America is a free, proud and sovereign nation once more and our magnificent destiny is closer than ever before," he said. "Our golden age has only just begun." And yes, the Free Press heard much the same from many Michiganders in the last month. From Erica Rodriguez, 45, of Midland, who said Trump came into office "with guns blazing" and from Roxanne Jabalee, 66, of St. Clair Shores, who called the president and his first 100 days, "brilliant." But a lot of other words and feelings were also employed to describe Trump's baldly aggressive approach and historic attempt to remake the federal government, and the worldwide economic order, in the few months since he was inaugurated on Jan. 20. Many were not nearly so unanimous, so glowing, so kind. "Wake up, America, before he crashes everything," said Jerry Catlin, 78, of Lapeer. Over the last several weeks, more than four dozen reporters from the Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and Center for Community Journalism - Michigan talked to over 100 people representing a diverse selection of residents from every region, political leaning and background. The result is a series of brief interviews that offer a sketch of how Trump's agenda and efforts are being received in a key swing state that last year for the second time helped elect him as president (and in the intervening term helped defeat him). The hope is that, when viewed as a whole, it will be akin to an impressionist painting, portraying something more nuanced and complete than any single interview, and less reductive and reactionary than any single political rally when it comes to gauging reaction to Trump's second first 100 days. The hope is also that it shows the scope of how widely Michiganders differ and that, while their concerns for the future and their appreciation or antipathy for the administration vary wildly, there is also an ideological, philosophical or moral diversity that should be acknowledged. Take, for instance, Barbara Ritch, a 75-year-old living in Holly. She's been worried about the number of immigrants unlawfully entering the country and cheered on Trump's efforts to protect the border and deport illegal migrants. 'He's doing what he said he would do,' she said. 'His promises are being fulfilled." Or take Betty Romo, 40, of Lincoln Park, who moved to Michigan decades ago from Jalisco, Mexico. She didn't vote but sees what's happening in government as deeply sad. "My heart aches for my community, for the fear we live with every day. The uncertainty about our future, about whether we'll be safe or allowed to stay, makes me feel helpless," she said. Or take AJ Whitehead, a 21-year-old junior Michigan State University student from Warren. A Black man who voted for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, he's concerned about the cost of living, lost opportunity and political divisiveness in an atmosphere where the president has moved to strip away efforts to promote and protect diversity and equality. "The whole Trump administration doesn't make it seem like I have a secure future in a way,' he said. "I don't really know what my future holds.' And on it goes. From a lifelong Republican like 66-year-old Penny Swan in Hillsdale who voted third-party last year because she disagrees with what she considers a cruel immigration policy that threatens to sweep up and deport Americans, to Amy Barbieri, a small business owner in Warren who considers herself more of a Democrat but voted for Trump in the last two elections, and who now says tariffs and concerns over the future of TikTok (which she used to make sales) have ruined her business. "So, no, I'm not a Trump supporter anymore," she said. Carol Kuhn, an 84-year-old retired autoworker from Oxford, has been thrilled with the first months of Trump's second term so far. 'Every morning I get up, I thank God that President Trump is our president and we don't have to have what we had for four years,' she said, referring to former President Joe Biden's term. In Hamtramck, 37-year-old Kate Mason, a Democrat who supported Harris described the Trump administration as a "dumpster fire" that's "dismantling democracy right in front of us." "We're gonna have to do a reckoning on the left and figure out how we come back from this," she said. And on it goes, in a state and a country where Trump's bold approach to his second term has people amazed, shocked, stunned, elated. Here's a chance, below, to look at all of those interviews, divvied by region, with more than 100 Michiganders and what they had to say about the president's second term to date, how far it's gone and what they think about where it might be headed. Read all 100 interviews by region: Wayne County Oakland County Macomb County Mid-Michigan and Thumb Southern Michigan Northern and West Michigan Want more local journalism like this? Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press. This series was reported by: Dana Afana, Lily Altavena, Sarah Atwood, Tresa Baldas, Duante Beddingfield, Dave Boucher, Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, Jackie Charniga, Natalie Davies, Paul Egan, Eric Guzman, Christina Hall, Brad Heineman, Clara Hendrickson, Brendel Hightower, Johnathan Hogan, Violet Ikonomova, Cassidey Kavathas, Georgea Kovanis, Jamie L. LaReau, Eric D. Lawrence, Arpan Lobo, Keith Matheny, Sarah Moore, Darcie Moran, David Rodriguez Muñoz, Corey J. Murray, David Panian, Jenna Prestininzi, Nour Rahal, Nushrat Rahman, Liam Rappleye, Don Reid, Adrienne Roberts, Andrea May Sahouri, Beki San Martin, Susan Selasky, Kristen Jordan Shamus, Scott Talley, Kristi Tanner, Connor Veenstra, Tess Ware, Niraj Warikoo, Jalen Williams, John Wisely, Suzanne Nolan Wisler and Frank Witsil. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump's first 100 days: Michigan residents weigh in
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In Michigan's Macomb County, voters share mixed emotions on Trump's first 100 days
North of Detroit, Macomb County represents a big source of Republican votes in metro Detroit. And in the county, Michiganders view President Donald Trump's first 100 days back in the White House as everything from "brilliant" to "bold" to "chaotic." Trump carried Macomb County by 13 percentage points in the 2024 election on his way to winning Michigan. He campaigned in the county frequently and even made another stop in the area April 29 to mark 100 days back in office. The Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and Center for Community Journalism - Michigan spoke with voters in the region as part of a project interviewing more than 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days. Michael Coraci, 44, of Shelby Township, said he was laid off from an electric vehicle battery startup when President Donald Trump won a second term because the company knew demand would decline. Still, Coraci said he believes the country can survive a Trump presidency despite his disagreement with Trump's approach. "It's chaos for business and the negotiation strategies seem to be ineffective. You have to unplug from the day-to-day and say 'where's it going to go?' I don't think we've had really too many bad effects from it and maybe we'll get some good out of the policies, despite the poor taste it leaves in your mouth.' — Jamie L. LaReau Don Rennaker, 58, of Clinton Township, is a retired corrections officer now working in security and running his own business. He supports President Donald Trump for addressing issues 'most of us have probably never seen before' and says the country needed to get back on track financially. While tariffs bring uncertainty, he said he believes they're necessary, saying, 'Other countries have taken advantage of us on trade.' He thinks government agencies need to be cleaned up and says abortion decisions in cases like rape or incest should be left to a woman, her doctor and her faith. — Brendel Hightower Catlin Ruprecht, 40, of Mount Clemens, believes President Donald Trump has been 'doing everything right' in his first months back in office and that the president's tariffs will ultimately be in the best interest of the country, even if the initial adjustment period is a bit rough. 'We've been getting ripped off by all these other countries,' he said. 'I believe in it for the long run, (but) it's going to be hard at first.' He respects how Trump is doing the things that he said he was going to do: 'He is a business guy and I'd rather have a business guy run the country than somebody that's all about politics." — JC Reindl Joshua Trever, 51, of Mount Clemens, is a retired Marine who has voted for President Donald Trump all three times. 'It was hard for me to swallow my beliefs and vote for him the first time around," he said, "because I didn't consider him a conservative — I'm still not sure I do — but decision after decision, I've liked him." Trever says that while he knows a bit about money, he is not an expert on tariffs and therefore isn't going to second-guess the president right now. 'This country has weathered a lot, so I think we can weather some tariffs. And no one else has tried to put us back on track,' he said. He is optimistic about the rest of Trump's second term, as well as the prospects for the stock market recovering what it has lost in these first weeks since the big rollout of the tariffs. 'You buy when things are low," he said, "and I wish I had more money right now to buy." — JC Reindl Willie Richardson, 82, of Chesterfield Township, is a retired SMART bus driver. He has been a widower for five years (he was married to Barbara Martin of The Supremes). He voted straight-ticket Democratic in the last election, and, of course, that means he voted for Kamala Harris, although he said he knew she wasn't going to win. Richardson is troubled by many things he has seen from the Trump administration so far, but it's exactly what he expected. Trump 'told us what he's going to do while he was on the campaign. People just didn't believe it.' That includes cutting programs that help poor people and deporting people who don't have criminal records and are just trying to make a living, Richardson said. Trump's economics don't 'match' unless you're a billionaire or a millionaire, but those folks don't know anything about having to pay $3 for a loaf of bread that used to cost $1.25, he said. — Eric D. Lawrence Jason Nowak, 51, of Clinton Township, is a UAW member who works at Stellantis' Detroit Assembly Complex-Jefferson, the plant formerly known as Jefferson North Assembly Plant. He has been there 30 years. Nowak leans 'more Republican' and voted for President Donald Trump in the election. Nowak likes what Trump's doing, specifically when it comes to tariffs, which he said are needed. 'I just want to see the economy and everything equal out with the other countries. I want to see their tariffs come down and be more equalized and fair trading,' he said. He said people are nervous but that's because of the uncertainty, which will pass, and he wants Trump to keep doing what he's doing. — Eric D. Lawrence Lindsey Sokana, 38, of Shelby Township, is an ice cream shop owner who most closely identifies with the Republican Party. She feels hopeful about the start of President Donald Trump's second term. She said she likes his idea of trying to clean up waste. She agrees with his ideas on tariffs but thinks "it's too fast," saying she doesn't believe society can produce what he wants it to produce that quickly. She wants to see more jobs created and products come from the U.S. What would she like to see less of? "I feel like we're taxed every which way. As a business owner, a small business owner, it's like you can never get ahead. There's always something. Maybe like too much government. I understand the reasons for it. It has to be broad so it will cover everything. But I just feel like it's hard to make a living, you know, when you're a small business trying to fight against big corporations or big franchises." She said she agrees with some of the things Trump says but doesn't like the way he speaks, and the way he conducts himself, "is not how I would." — Christina Hall AJ Whitehead, 21, of Warren, is a junior studying mechanical engineering at Michigan State University. As the professional world approaches, Whitehead said he has felt the pressure of thriving under President Donald Trump's political atmosphere. He is concerned about opportunity, the cost of living and political divisiveness. 'You know, the whole Trump administration doesn't make it seem like I have a secure future in a way,' Whitehead said, 'being an African American and just people with different backgrounds … I don't really know what my future holds.' The uncertainty has become a burden, though accepting the things he can't control has prompted a sense of gratitude. 'As long as I have breath coming out of my lungs and in my lungs, I'm always gonna be positive,' Whitehead said. Moving forward, he wants to see more empathy in political conversations and advocacy for the little guy. — Sarah Moore William Appleberry, 80, of Warren, a retired electronics technician who described himself as "center-left," chose "disappointment" as the word he'd use to describe the start of President Donald Trump's second term. "Disappointment at the way our country is treating its allies. Disappointment with the way we're treating Ukraine. Disappointment with the way universities are being treated. Disappointment with the total disregard for the rule of law and due process. I could go on but you get the idea," Appleberry said. Appleberry said he understands the focus on issues such as the national debt and immigration, "but bull-in-a-china-shop is not the way to go about it." — Keith Matheny Patricia Miller, 55, a payroll professional who lives in Sterling Heights, is a Republican who voted for Donald Trump for president at every opportunity she has had, in 2016, 2020 and 2024. She said she is pleased with his priorities and strong, quick actions in his second term. "I think Trump did an excellent job securing the previously wide-open borders," she said. "This should reduce crime and afford our legal immigrants the opportunities they deserve, while preserving other social benefits for legal citizens of the United States." Miller also supported Trump's executive order recognizing only two genders, male and female. "There should not be biological males participating in female sports," she said. "It's physically unfair and minimizes the huge accomplishments for which so many women have sacrificed." She's more unsure about tariffs, however. "I'm hoping the tariffs will provide revenue for our government while keeping more jobs right here in the U.S.," she said. — Keith Matheny A.J. Smith, 43, a car wash manager from St. Clair Shores, typically votes Republican and views President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office as a sign of strength. "He's really transparent. … He's trying to show us what goes on, why we have a DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) … it's mindboggling the s--- that we're spending money on." Smith supports Trump's dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which cut funding from numerous programs, including one that allows children overseas to watch "Sesame Street." He also supports Trump's plan to cut funding for NPR and PBS. "The spending is out of hand right now," he said. He also hopes Trump's plan to protect tips and overtime from taxes goes through. "I'll get a huge raise automatically," said Smith, who's optimistic about the future. "The last time he was in office, it was a solid state," he said. "He don't take no crap from anybody." — Tresa Baldas Warren Holloway, 43, of Sterling Heights, said if you had asked him a year ago what his political affiliation was, he wouldn't hesitate to say Democrat. Today, he's not so sure. He said he is hopeful that the chaos President Donald Trump has caused in his first 100 days will end up benefiting Americans and believes the aim is to improve the country's global standing. "He put out so many executive orders, it's hard to keep up. The hot button issue is the tariffs — tariffs could have had a much more positive spin if done with a scalpel rather than a sledgehammer," Holloway said. — Jackie Charniga Roxanne Jabalee, 66, a sales manager in the shower industry from St. Clair Shores, applauds President Donald Trump for doing "everything that he talked about doing." "He's working to clean up the messes that have caused our debt," she said, noting she supports the Department of Government Efficiency initiatives and the tariffs. "Other countries have been taking advantage of us. He's the only one with the guts to stand up to those countries." She also credits Trump with calming the public's economic fears, saying her customers have started keeping their appointments, where before they canceled them. She hopes Trump's plan to protect Social Security from being taxed goes through, as she will retire soon. She also said she is concerned that young people are making decisions without input from their parents and she believes parents should have more say or control over gender identity matters. She's also optimistic about the future under Trump, saying: "He has more experience this time." — Tresa Baldas Amy Barbieri, 45, of Warren, is a small business owner who sells metaphysical goods like tarot cards on TikTok Shop. She's more of a Democrat but voted for President Donald Trump in the last two elections, and even boasted a large Trump flag in her yard. But now she's turning on him. She fears threats on food assistance, "whatever's going on with Elon Musk and Social Security and DOGE," and now, the tariffs. "I work on TikTok. I sell on TikTok Shop. That's my whole business. That's my whole source of income since I lost my job in automotive manufacturing," Barbieri said. "I've made good money selling on TikTok, but I import from China. So now I just lost my small business. So no, I'm not a Trump supporter anymore." — Andrea Sahouri At an April 19 rally against the President Donald Trump administration, Olivia Quinal, 59, of St. Clair Shores, stood on the sidewalk blowing into a vuvuzela. In her 22 years working as a social worker in public schools, Quinal said she was trained to move slowly, to rely on a rigorous review of facts and data. In Trump's second term, she's not seeing the same meticulous approach she thinks public services need. "He's willy-nilly doing things. And I'm a retired school social worker, so I'm all about data, facts," Quinal said. "And the things that he's doing is very impulsive, very impulsive. You can't just do things without dissecting it." — Liam Rappleye Toni Apostoloski, 50, of Macomb Township, is an engineer who says he mostly aligns with the Democratic Party. He describes the start of President Donald Trump's second term as "chaotic … Definitely chaotic. Things have been pretty wild … Lots of stuff going on in the news. It's kinda hard to keep track of everything. And it's just, it's been a wild ride so far and it's only been three months." He understands the American dream is to have everything built here and Trump's "whole spiel about Make America Great Again, I mean, it's a wonderful dream to have … but he's goin' about the whole thing all wrong," citing the raising, then pulling back of tariffs and firing federal employees "willy-nilly." "I get it if you want to run America like a business. I don't believe it should be run like a business. It is definitely a government entity that works totally differently than a corporation, but that's how his mindset works," he says. Apostoloski says he wants less see-sawing on issues and, instead, having and sticking with a plan. — Christina Hall This series was reported by: Dana Afana, Lily Altavena, Sarah Atwood, Tresa Baldas, Duante Beddingfield, Dave Boucher, Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, Jackie Charniga, Natalie Davies, Paul Egan, Eric Guzman, Christina Hall, Brad Heineman, Clara Hendrickson, Brendel Hightower, Johnathan Hogan, Violet Ikonomova, Cassidey Kavathas, Georgea Kovanis, Jamie L. LaReau, Eric D. Lawrence, Arpan Lobo, Keith Matheny, Sarah Moore, Darcie Moran, David Rodriguez Muñoz, Corey J. Murray, David Panian, Jenna Prestininzi, Nour Rahal, Nushrat Rahman, Liam Rappleye, Don Reid, Adrienne Roberts, Andrea May Sahouri, Beki San Martin, Susan Selasky, Kristen Jordan Shamus, Scott Talley, Kristi Tanner, Connor Veenstra, Tess Ware, Niraj Warikoo, Jalen Williams, John Wisely, Suzanne Nolan Wisler and Frank Witsil. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: In Michigan's Macomb County, voters get candid on Trump's 1st 100 days
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In Mid-Michigan and Thumb area, residents share hopes, doubts after Trump's first 100 days
Outside of metro Detroit, Michiganders in the central region of the state say President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office have certainly been filled with headlines: Supporters and detractors of the president alike have described the past few months in Washington as "eventful," "exhausting" and "lively." Stretching from the capital region to the tri-cities area in the Thumb, parts of mid-Michigan vary in their political behavior. There are Democratic enclaves that supported Kamala Harris, like Lansing and Flint, but in the wide swaths of exurban communities between cities, Trump enjoyed strong support. The Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and Center for Community Journalism - Michigan spoke with voters in the region as part of a project interviewing more than 100 Michiganders about Trump's first 100 days. Alissa Secco, a Howell Republican and Trump voter, visited Brighton to celebrate her 42nd birthday in April. The mother of two said she's focused on the economy, particularly real estate. She said she thinks it's too soon to say whether President Donald Trump's policies are helping the country but she's confident they will. "You hear all these things … that they promised to do and they're doing it." However, she thinks the country is too divided and wants people to find ways to come together. "Even if you don't agree with (Trump's) personal things, agree with his politics, that it's good for our country." — Dave Boucher Bentley Folse, 50, of Brighton, would have picked President Donald Trump in 2024 if he thought it was worth his time to vote. But, now, the self-described independent who works in the remodeling business said he's concerned about tariffs. "I know the tariffs are gonna screw me over … it's just gonna cost more and take longer to get (materials). And it already takes a long time to get. And so, it's a little scary." Still, he prefers Trump over Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, since most of his clients skew toward Trump. But, overall, he thinks all politicians are out of touch. — Dave Boucher Gavin Stover, 24, of Flushing is a lab assistant at the University of Michigan Flint, where he's studying wildlife biology. He typically votes Democratic, though he doesn't consider himself a Democrat. He said he's exhausted by the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term and generally pessimistic about the rest of it. "Everything is always happening and nothing feels like it's going in the right direction," he said. "I'm just kind of like steadying myself, hoping to power through it. Just get through it. Once it's over, it's over. Hopefully." — John Wisely Marquis Conway, 34, of Mount Morris, works in an auto supply factory. He didn't vote in 2024 because he couldn't get to his local precinct in time. He said he intended to vote for President Donald Trump and he's generally optimistic about the future. "With him, you know what you're getting," he said. "With Kamala (Harris), that was just too much politics." — John Wisely Jane Gambaccini, 71, of Brighton, is an independent who leans toward the Democrats and voted for Kamala Harris in 2024. She's upset President Donald Trump "acts like a king" and believes his tariffs are making life more expensive. "Since he's come, prices have gone up more and there are less jobs." Her husband Tom Gambaccini, 72, agrees, adding he thinks Trump has pivoted away from promises to cut prices that he made during the campaign. — Dave Boucher Ron Galard, 60, of Brighton, is a former independent who feels like President Donald Trump has transformed the Republican Party for the better. He likes that Trump moved quickly to sign executive orders and deliver on campaign promises and he supports Trump's work to negotiate trade deals, particularly with China, which Galard said is stealing American jobs. "Most presidents kicked the can, (Trump) stomped on the can and he's putting America first," Galard said. — Tess Ware Deb Drick, 64, of Howell, is a lifelong Republican who is feeling very optimistic about Trump's second term. She said she would like to see him better communicate the reasons behind some of his decisions, like the tariffs. She also said she would like to see him discuss his opponents without insulting them. She supports the work of DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency — and likes that Trump has worked quickly to start delivering on campaign promises. "If what he's done so far continues, I suspect we're going to be in real good shape." — Tess Ware Lew Wilson, 89, of Eaton Rapids, is a retired Michigan State Police trooper. He said he was optimistic about the way things are going. He said he wasn't concerned about the fluctuating stock market because it isn't a reflection of the economy and news about it was being overstated. He added that he was happy the undocumented immigrants who are in the country were being forced out. — Sarah Atwood Jerry Catlin, 78, of Lapeer, is worried and waiting for the other shoe to drop. He said he doesn't check his pension or 401(k) daily, lest he be overwhelmed with the impact of President Donald Trump's maneuvers shaking the stock market. Catlin is worried about how the current president may change health care — he is on Medicare — and said people his age don't want to be worried about that every day. They worked all their lives putting into such funds. 'Everything the guy says is a lie,' he said of Trump. He pointed to Trump's election promises to lower prices. And Catlin said Trump's rich friends are benefiting amid the market fluctuations. Ordinary people who can't see that are 'crazy,' he said. 'Democrats at least pretend to care about people,' he said. But then, he also said Democrats aren't doing anything to stop Trump, just 'whining.' 'Wake up America, before he crashes everything," Catlin said. — Darcie Moran Mike Sanchez, 45, of Charlotte, said he voted for President Donald Trump three times and would again if he was able. He said he feels great about how Trump is doing so far and it'll take a little bit of time for actions like the tariffs to have their intended effect. He's still looking for prices to go down but he understands it's "not realistic" for them to drop on day one. — Sarah Atwood Beckett Flint is a 51-year-old process server from Fenwick. He is troubled by President Donald Trump's interpretation of the Constitution. "Our Constitution is there for a reason and it seems to be being ignored and thrown out," he said, referring to Trump's recent talk of deporting American citizens, and other issues. "I worry that we're going to go so far down this rabbit hole of destroying the Constitution and human rights, that we can't pull ourselves back out." As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Flint, who is a transgender man, is concerned about Trump's executive orders impacting transgender people. But, ultimately, he said, "it's the Constitution. Secondary is rights of all of ours. Not just gay rights, not just trans rights, but the rights of all U.S. citizens … and immigrants coming in that want to be U.S. citizens. … We should be protected." — Georgea Kovanis Perry Blackwell, 32, of Port Huron, is a factory worker who said he typically supports Republicans. He said he strongly supported President Donald Trump's stance on tariffs, believing they will help "wean" the United States off of foreign products. "I was a supporter of the tariffs," Blackwell said. "We need more factories here and the only way to do that is to jack up the prices." — Johnathan Hogan Robert Crull, 45, of Fort Gratiot Township, is unemployed and lives off of disability. He has always supported Republicans, stating he hopes the party continues to hold the White House in years to come. Crull said he was supportive of President Donald Trump's immigration and economic policies, believing the president will bring down prices. "I voted for Trump … to help the economy," Crull said. — Johnathan Hogan Pamela Culler, 70, of Kawkawlin Township, is a retired school bus driver and dispatcher who said she has voted to send President Donald Trump to the White House three times. So far, she said she likes what she's seeing from his second term, including his tariffs. 'I think he's doing great. He's on fire, he really is,' she said. Culler expressed hope that both prices will come down and more stuff will be made in the U.S. under Trump. Is there anything she doesn't like about the president? 'Well, we could do without his antics sometimes. I'm not fond of that,' she said, laughing. 'He needs to be a little more couth, you know? He's crude sometimes. Other than that? Eh, he's got a big ego. But I'll take it. He's better than what we've had.' — Clara Hendrickson Talking about what he thinks President Donald Trump has gotten right so far came easily to Trump supporter Alan Romig, 69, of Bay City, who gave a one-word answer: 'Everything.' But there's still more the retired mechanical engineer said he wants to see from the Trump administration. 'I'd like to see more of the corrupt politicians prosecuted,' he said. His list included some Democrats. But he didn't stop there. 'There's a lot of dirty Republicans,' he said. Asked about Trump policies he expects to impact him personally, Romig called out the president's tax plan. Does he think he'll keep more money in his pocket? No. 'I don't think I'll have any less,' he said. — Clara Hendrickson Sherry Pfenninger, 69, of Bay City, said she's tired of hearing politicians pledging to usher in changes on the campaign trail only to fall short once elected. But, she said, President Donald Trump is different because, so far, he has followed through on his promises to voters. She said she likes what billionaire Trump aide Elon Musk has done with his Department of Government Efficiency. 'I feel so much better that we're seeing where our tax money is going,' she said. 'There's a lot of, I think, bloating in the federal government and I think we need to, just like any business — just like my own household — we need to scale down.' She said she wants to see more onshoring and the creation of good jobs. 'Not just mediocre like we've been kind of pushed into,' she said. — Clara Hendrickson President Donald Trump isn't perfect, said Erica Rodriguez, 45, of Midland. But she said she feels like he has learned from his first term in the White House. 'He went in very, I guess, naive, and he said the second time around, 'I know the game now,' ' she said. 'He was already getting his party — everybody — ready so that he can come in guns blazing.' Rodriguez said she's retired now but worked as a probation officer in California — a state she labeled as corrupt — before she moved to Michigan. While she said she aligns most closely with the Republican Party, she expressed an openness to supporting Democratic policies if she thinks they're better than the GOP option. 'I don't just support everything blindly. There's corruption in both parties,' Rodriguez said. But she said she doesn't like the Democrats' attacks against Trump's actions, saying he's just trying to protect the U.S. — Clara Hendrickson Cody Lawrence, 37, of Bay City, is a fan of President Donald Trump. 'I like that he's not a politician, and a businessman. He can relate more to just the everyday person, I guess, too. Even though we're not all billionaires,' said Lawrence, a part-time musician, who also does demo and remodeling jobs. He called out what he sees as misleading information about Trump's actions before saying he thinks tariffs could result in a manufacturing boom in the area where he lives. Lawrence likes some of the actions Trump has taken on former President Joe Biden's policies, specifically calling out an order Trump signed to reverse Biden's phase-out of single-use plastic straws. 'He's kind of getting it back to normalcy again,' Lawrence said. — Clara Hendrickson Asher Reese, 30, of Lansing, fears the United States is slipping into fascism. At a protest in Troy, he held a sign reading "End fascism before it ends you," and said he fears the Trump team isn't fit to lead the country. "(President Donald Trump is) incompetent in terms of who he's put in the cabinets," Reese said. "He just kind of feels like winging it, you know, doing his own thing, not actually doing anything for the people like he's supposed to be." But if there's optimism to be found, Reese said he sees it in protests and local elections. "I feel pessimistic for the presidency and really government in general but I do feel optimistic in the sense of what I have seen with the protests, but also some recent elections; red districts and all that have been either flipping blue or leaning more towards blue or more kind of purplish, right?" he said. — Liam Rappleye Thomas Koliouplous, 36, of Howell, described President Donald Trump's first 100 days as lively, with a lot of things going on. "It's not necessarily bad, it's not necessarily good," he said. But he does believe the president is headed toward "what seems to be a good future." — Kristi Tanner This series was reported by: Dana Afana, Lily Altavena, Sarah Atwood, Tresa Baldas, Duante Beddingfield, Dave Boucher, Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, Jackie Charniga, Natalie Davies, Paul Egan, Eric Guzman, Christina Hall, Brad Heineman, Clara Hendrickson, Brendel Hightower, Johnathan Hogan, Violet Ikonomova, Cassidey Kavathas, Georgea Kovanis, Jamie L. LaReau, Eric D. Lawrence, Arpan Lobo, Keith Matheny, Sarah Moore, Darcie Moran, David Rodriguez Muñoz, Corey J. Murray, David Panian, Jenna Prestininzi, Nour Rahal, Nushrat Rahman, Liam Rappleye, Don Reid, Adrienne Roberts, Andrea May Sahouri, Beki San Martin, Susan Selasky, Kristen Jordan Shamus, Scott Talley, Kristi Tanner, Connor Veenstra, Tess Ware, Niraj Warikoo, Jalen Williams, John Wisely, Suzanne Nolan Wisler and Frank Witsil. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: In Mid-Michigan, Thumb area, voters get candid on Trump's 1st 100 days
