[US Midterm Election D-40]②-3 Once Both Trump Supporters, Rising Living Costs Split New Yorkers’ Votes

Trump Supporters in Deep-Blue New York

"Tariffs Are Necessary... Production Base Should Be in America"

"Trump Doesn't Care About People Like Me"

Giuseppe Maiello (47) and Joseph Halik (31), both born in New York State and working, respectively, as a construction worker and in construction engineering, share something in common: both once supported U.S. President Donald Trump. However, as the cost of living increased—such as diesel prices surpassing 6 dollars per gallon—their assessments of the Trump Administration diverged. Maiello continued his support, citing the revival of manufacturing and an “America First” approach, while Halik, turning away, said, “I don't think Trump cares about people like me.”

Wall Street, Manhattan, New York State. New York, U.S. — Special Correspondent Yoonju Hwang

On September 15 (local time), when interviewed on Wall Street in Manhattan, New York, Halik expressed sensitivity to high inflation. Living in Long Island and commuting to Manhattan, he drives 40 to 50 miles daily to manage nine buildings. He spends 180 to 200 dollars per week on fuel alone, in addition to around 300 dollars per month for train fares, car loan payments, and insurance premiums.

“I’m earning about the same amount over the last two or three years, but now I can afford less with that money,” Halik said. “Prices for groceries, fuel, and utilities keep going up, but my income isn’t rising at the same rate, so I feel like I’m constantly falling behind.” He added, “Because of the high cost of living, I rarely take vacations.”

Halik particularly stressed that rising diesel prices do not only impact drivers. “When fuel prices rise, the cost for the trucks that deliver groceries increases as well,” he explained, “and eventually these additional costs are passed on to the end consumer.”

Halik voted for President Trump in the 2020 presidential election. However, he now feels Trump no longer looks out for people like him, and he stated that he is uncomfortable with the excessive political fervor surrounding Trump.

It is difficult to draw sweeping conclusions about the overall changes in New York voters’ preferences based solely on Halik's example. Nevertheless, it is notable that some within the labor demographic, which traditionally supported Trump, are now expressing negative views due to the growing burden of living expenses—potentially a liability for the president.

Recent nationwide polls show President Trump’s approval ratings remain low. According to a joint poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College, 51 percent of probable midterm voters said they would support the Democratic candidate, versus 43 percent for the Republican candidate. Regarding trust in handling cost-of-living issues, 51 percent favored the Democrats while 43 percent chose the Republicans.

"Despite Soaring Diesel Prices, I Support Trump’s Rescue of Manufacturing"

New York citizens are reading an article about U.S. President Donald Trump. New York, USA – Photo by Yoonju Hwang

In contrast, Giuseppe, whom I met in Chelsea, Manhattan, said that soaring diesel prices would not affect his choice in the November midterm elections. “I currently pay about 5 dollars per gallon for vehicle fuel,” he explained, “but my life wouldn't collapse even if it climbed another dollar.”

Giuseppe pointed out that his heavier burdens come from public utility fees and various subscription charges. “Electricity, cable, and Wi-Fi bills, plus all sorts of app subscription fees, keep rising,” he said. “Such expenses are a bigger share of my monthly outgoings than fuel costs.”

Asked about the cause of the diesel price surge, he blamed “speculative trading in the oil market by traders and Wall Street.” While he acknowledged that attacks on refineries between Ukraine and Russia played a role, he argued that speculative demand amid supply uncertainties amplified price increases.

Giuseppe also said that, for him, voting will be based on values and policies rather than prices. “I focus on what Trump has actually done rather than what he says,” he said. “The fastest way to expand the middle class is to create more stable, higher-wage manufacturing jobs.”

Regarding tariff policy, Giuseppe acknowledged the short-term burden but stressed necessity. “Tariffs are burdensome and not ideal in the short term, but they are needed to make companies reassess their priorities,” he said. “I don’t have a problem with U.S. firms operating abroad, but the production base should be prioritized here in America.”

Both Giuseppe and Halik, despite their past support for President Trump, now make different political judgments. Giuseppe regards the short-term costs associated with tariffs and inflation as the necessary price of reviving America’s manufacturing base, whereas Halik, feeling the weight of rising living costs outpacing his income, believes Trump no longer represents workers like him. Even among former Trump supporters in strongly Democratic New York, there is now a divergence of opinions triggered by the cost-of-living burden.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.