How Trump’s recent actions affect his support among young voters

President Trump is on the road this week, speaking at a rally at Turning Point USA on Friday night in Phoenix. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports on how the administration’s recent actions have affected his support among young voters.

Jeff Bennett:

President Trump is on the road this week and tonight he speaks to young voters at a rally in Phoenix organized by Turning Point USA. At the beginning of his speech, the president talked about the war with Iran.

President Donald Trump:

This will be a great and wonderful day for the world, because Iran has just announced that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business.

(acclaim)

Jeff Bennett:

Joining us now is White House correspondent Liz Landers.

So, Liz, the president’s comments come at a time when polls show his standing among younger voters declining. What more did he say this evening?

Liz Landers:

Well, he was talking about a range of issues. I’d say he’s still talking now. So I was listening to the speech while I was coming here.

Talk about Iran started from the top. But he needs to focus on domestic issues so he can win back these young voters. There was a Yale youth poll conducted in March that addressed his disapproval, which is now increasing among younger voters.

For 18- to 22-year-old voters, it’s 68% disapproval, for 23- to 29-year-olds, 72% disapprove, and 30- to 34-year-olds 75% disapprove. This was done in March. But they ran a similar poll between October and November last year, and his approval declined between that poll and this latest poll, in every age group under 35.

So all these young people became less enthusiastic about him and less supportive of him as president. In particular, a majority of young voters will vote Democratic as of now, according to this poll, in the fall. Young women voters in particular have turned away from President Trump.

He saw — Democrats saw a 17-point increase for young women ages 18 to 22, and the top issue, according to the Yale Youth Poll, was affordability.

Jeff Bennett:

Meanwhile, the President, Liz, as you well know, continues this ongoing dispute with Pope Leo. When you talk to people in the White House, what do they say about that?

Liz Landers:

This will continue for six days, and the President started this on Sunday of last week and continues to talk about it.

He was asked about this yesterday as he was leaving the White House for Las Vegas.

Donald Trump:

I must do what is right. The Pope must understand this. Very simple. I have nothing against the Pope. His brother is MAGA all the way. I really love his brother.

a question:

Why are you fighting with him?

Donald Trump:

I don’t fight with him. The Pope made a statement. He says that Iran could possess a nuclear weapon. I say that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon.

Liz Landers:

And I should add that Pope Leo did not say that Iran could have a nuclear weapon, just to be clear about that.

But this has now turned into something the vice president, who is Catholic, was asked about. He was also in attendance at a Turning Point USA event earlier this week in Georgia, and was heckled by someone in the crowd who shouted “Jesus Christ does not support genocide.”

So J.D. Vance turned to him and said, yes, Jesus Christ did not support genocide. But he went on to say that the Pope must be careful when he talks about theological issues, Jeff.

Jeff Bennett:

Back to President’s Travels. It’s out west. He’s talking about economics. He’s talking about the tax cut package he signed. It is clear that he is trying here to move away from the war with Iran and direct it towards an economic message.

Liz Landers:

Well, the White House has made it clear that they know they have to talk about affordability, and that’s what Republicans have to run on in order to try to do well in the November election, where historically they probably won’t do as well as the party in power.

We heard from the Treasury Secretary this week talking about some of the tax and spending bills and issues. Secretary Besent said more than 45 percent of the tax filers they have seen so far have used one of the president’s signature policies.

President Trump was in Las Vegas yesterday also talking about the policy of not taxing tips as well. And this is also — this visit to Arizona today is also a political move as well. Arizona is, of course, a swing state. There are two major congressional races out there right now. The president was also sharing the same stage today as the gubernatorial candidate he endorsed, Andy Biggs.

Jeff Bennett:

Liz Landers, thank you, as always.