Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This morning, the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index published its March survey showing consumer sentiment declining for the third consecutive month, and year-ahead inflation expectations jumped to 4.9% this month, the highest reading since November 2022. Consumer sentiment declined in March across all political affiliations. Earlier this week, the National Federation of Independent Business’ Uncertainty Index climbed to its second-highest reading in over 50 years. Melissa Morales, Founder and President of Somos Votantes, reacted with the following statement: 
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“There is a stark reality gap between the Administration’s economic rhetoric and what consumers are actually experiencing – and it is a direct result of President Trump and Elon Musk’s chaotic and reckless management of our government. While this Administration continues to gamble our futures away with erratic policies such as tariffs and trade wars, working people are left paying the price with the rising costs of everything – from buying a truck to everyday expenses like groceries. Hardworking Latinos want economic security and instead, are facing higher costs, economic constraints and Elon Musk’s threats to Social Security. Economic anxiety is spreading as Trump moves forward with his deeply unpopular agenda.”

“Our own polling reflects this clear disconnect between the Latino voters’ needs and what they see the Trump Administration prioritizing. The cost of living was the top concern for our community, but less than a fifth of respondents believed it was a priority for President Trump. When asked about Trump’s tariffs, 60% of Latinos said they strongly disapproved of them. We’re not even 100 days in, and Latino voters' patience is wearing thin with Trump and his drag on the economy.”

Last week, Somos Votantes released the first post-election poll on Latino voters, providing the earliest and most comprehensive insights into the deep economic anxiety and widespread disapproval of Trump’s economic record: 
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• Economic concerns dominate voter priorities, with 67% rating the U.S. economy as poor and only 14% saying they live comfortably. The cost of living is by far the top concern (50%), followed by healthcare, jobs, and retirement security.
• Trump’s economic record is a major liability – 63% believe he prioritizes the wealthy over working families, and his handling of the economy has a net -13 disapproval rating.
• Trump’s economic agenda is unpopular – including majorities who strongly disapprove of Musk’s DOGE (60%), Trump’s tariffs agenda (60%), and tax cuts for the wealthy (60%). 
• Large majorities of Hispanic/Latino voters rate the U.S. economy as poor, and few believe it is improving. Roughly two-thirds of Hispanic/Latino voters say the economy today is poor (67% negative/poor, 30% positive/good, net -37), and most believe the economy is getting worse (53% worse, 23% staying the same, 20% getting better). As we’ve seen in other similar research among general voters, attitudes towards local economies are slightly less negative (58% negative, 37% positive, net -21).
• There is little separation between how Hispanic/Latino voters rate Trump’s handling of the presidency overall vs. his handling of the economy – with both net negative. By nearly equal margins Hispanic/Latino voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance (43% approve, 54% disapprove, net -11) and his handling of the economy (41% approve, 54% disapprove, net -13).
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You can learn more about the poll results here.
 

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About Somos Votantes

Somos Votantes is a Latino-led, Latino-focused organization that runs some of the largest independent Latino civic and voter engagement programs in the country. We envision a nation where hardworking Latinos have the opportunities and tools to fully participate in our democracy. Somos Votantes seeks to empower hardworking Latinos in shaping the future of our democracy, primarily through non-partisan civic engagement programs, by increasing our participation in elections and advocating for progressive policies.

Visit https://www.somosvotantes.com/ for more information on this program and other projects, and follow the organization on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

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