Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday night to a divided Congress and a television audience of diminished enthusiasm among Republican party voters, according to the New York Times.
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a community that has grown increasingly Republican over the last 10 years, Trump supporters expressed a palpable sense of apathy regarding the speech. This sentiment could prove significant for the president's political prospects over the next three years, the Times reported.
Trump's approval ratings have reached historic lows, reflected in interviews with community members. Some supporters plan to skip the address entirely, while others express disappointment with the administration's first year performance.
The Times reported, "Beneath the apparent satisfaction among the president's most committed voters lie signs of trouble—for his policy agenda and his political party. Cracks are showing in the broad coalition that gave Mr. Trump a popular vote victory in 2024. Some young voters, Latinos and other recent additions to the Trump coalition are beginning to sour on him."
Tom Ciampi, 67, a Trump voter, expressed conditional interest in watching: "What I'm expecting to hear is he's going to recap what he's done. I'll be honest with you, if I get bored, I'll change the channel."
Cheyenne Weston, 26, a mother of two who voted for Trump, voiced specific concerns. "He's not helping families with kids who are struggling," she said. "And while we shouldn't have people here illegally, especially criminals, the way you conduct that endeavor should be conducive to supporting life rather than taking it."
Miguel Perdomo, 57, a restaurant owner, who admitted that five siblings and many of his regular customers who were enthusiastic Trump voters now are second guessing themselves, said, "He promised a lot of stuff, and he isn't doing even half of what he promised. That's why people come back and say, 'I made a mistake.'"
Damian Slick, 50, acknowledged voting for Trump primarily as opposition to Democrats and because there was no other choice he thought acceptable.
"Anything was better than Biden-Harris-Obama," he said. "I didn't want the country to be any further left."