A Year On: Are Trump’s “MAGA” Voters Still Believers?
A France 2 report examines the sentiments of Donald Trump’s core supporters one year after his re-election, revealing a complex landscape of satisfaction, doubt, and disillusionment.
Published November 3, 2025, and updated November 3, 2025, this report delves into the perspectives of those who propelled Donald Trump back to the White House. With a reading time of 5 minutes and a video component lasting 6 minutes, the investigation travels across the United States to gauge the feelings of voters who embraced the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement.
From the coastal charm of South Carolina to the rugged hills of Appalachia, Donald Trump’s return to power sent ripples throughout America. A year into his second term, the central question remains: what is the prevailing emotion among those who entrusted him with a second mandate – euphoria, uncertainty, or regret? A journey across the country sought to understand the views of voters who desired an America “Made in Trump.”
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a store brimming with Trump-branded merchandise offers a glimpse into the enduring loyalty of his base. “It’s a bit of Trumpland, it’s true, and we’re very happy with it. We’ve been doing this for a while now, since 2016,” explains Richard Kligman, the store owner. The shop boasts an array of Trump-themed items, from garden gnomes to hot sauce. Kligman acknowledges the ongoing speculation about a potential 2028 run, despite constitutional limitations, but notes that such discussions are largely irrelevant to his customers. “Whether he decides to run or not doesn’t matter to the customers. They just like the fact that it provokes the other side,” he assures.
The store attracts supporters from across the nation, including a Californian couple who expressed their enthusiasm. “There are so many choices, I want them all,” the wife exclaimed. Longtime Trump voters, they proudly display their allegiance, with one showing a tattoo bearing the number “45” – and a planned addition of “47.” “I am a former soldier, with Trump, the uniform is respected again in this country and our border is more secure,” she elaborated, while her partner added, “I’m glad he’s getting a lot of undesirables in this country arrested and deported.”
The report then shifts to McDowell County, West Virginia, one of the nation’s poorest regions, where 80% of residents voted for Trump. The landscape is stark, marked by closed businesses and a dwindling population. The once-thriving coal mining town of War now struggles to survive. Workers at a local coal mine express cautious optimism following Trump’s executive order aimed at reviving the industry. “Trump is trying to make America depend on itself, even though a lot of coal mines closed when Obama was president,” stated John Paul Haggerman, a 16-year veteran of the mine. While the impact of the order remains to be seen, hope for economic recovery persists.
However, the promise of economic revitalization hasn’t materialized for everyone. In Tennessee, Claire Getty, a raw wood producer, recounts the impact of Trump’s trade war with China. “These trunks will be used to make parquet floors, furniture or work surfaces,” she explained. Chinese orders were canceled or postponed, creating uncertainty for her business. Despite this, Getty remains supportive of Trump. “With each announcement, we take a deep breath and think for a minute to tell ourselves that we are not changing anything, because in the 48 hours that follow, we know that things could be reversed. We nevertheless remain confident that in the long term, this policy will make it possible to bring factories back to the United States,” she believes.
Not all voters share Getty’s optimism. In Florida, David Pasquino, a former soldier and Trump voter, is now contemplating a move abroad. Having lost his job at the Department of Veterans Affairs due to administration cuts, he expresses deep disillusionment. “I went from one uniform to another,” he explained. His anger has grown, particularly concerning the deployment of the military in American cities. “This is not the America that I have shed my blood and lost brothers in arms and family for. This is not right what is happening right now. This is a kidnapping from the country. My son is also in the military and I am terrified of what he might be asked to do here in America,” Pasquino testified.
While Pasquino represents a minority, most of Trump’s electoral base remains satisfied with the “permanent shock” offered by the president, a year after he secured a second term.
