The Focus Group Participants, Some of Whom Backed Joe Biden in 2020, Also Criticized the Democratic Party and Weighed in on the Future of DEI Programs
A recent focus group of Black men who voted for Donald Trump in swing states found that most remain supportive of his presidency despite some reservations about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Trump’s economic policies.
The discussion, part of the 2025 Deciders series produced by Syracuse University and the research firms Engagious and Sago, included men who previously voted for Joe Biden in 2020 before switching to Trump in 2024.
While 10 out of 12 participants said they would vote for Trump again, two expressed regret over their decision. The focus group also highlighted frustration with the Democratic Party and mixed opinions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
DOGE Sparks Debate
One of the biggest points of contention was DOGE, Trump’s initiative to cut government spending and increase efficiency. While some participants viewed it as a necessary reform, others worried about its speed and billionaire Elon Musk’s role in implementing it.
Support for DOGE’s Mission
Those in favor of DOGE’s budget cuts saw it as a necessary audit of government spending.
“Every company needs someone to audit them. You shouldn’t be an untouchable, you shouldn’t be a sacred cow,” said Dorris S., a 56-year-old independent from Pennsylvania.
Another participant, Illya M., 37, from Arizona, argued that the federal government should face the same level of scrutiny as taxpayers.
“They’re forcing us to file our taxes, so we’re technically doing an audit, so I think everybody should be audited.”
Some participants even mentioned the possibility of Trump sending $5,000 checks to Americans, with five believing these so-called “DOGE dividends” would come from the program’s budget cuts. However, Trump’s administration has not confirmed any such plan.
Concerns Over Musk’s Influence and Unintended Consequences
Not all participants were sold on DOGE’s effectiveness.
“The volume of the cuts—are there going to be unintended consequences that we didn’t see until later down the road?” asked Denzel B., a 37-year-old Democrat from Arizona.
Others feared Musk was gaining too much power and that the cuts could hurt government workers rather than simply trimming excess spending.
“Trump should have gone in with a scalpel instead of a blowtorch,” said Jeffrey G., 57, a Democrat from Georgia.
Some worried that while Trump was focused on cutting government waste, he was not prioritizing the economy or helping everyday Americans.
“He’s too focused on cutting the weeds and the clutter, but he needs to focus on the economy and how to help people,” said Thomas A., 49, a Democrat from Georgia.
Trump’s Economic Policies Divide Supporters
When it came to inflation and tariffs, participants were split on whether Trump was taking the right approach.
Only three out of 12 participants believed Trump was prioritizing inflation, mostly pointing to his proposed tariffs and government spending cuts as evidence.
However, Jeffrey G., one of the two voters who regretted supporting Trump, argued that Trump’s approach to tariffs could make inflation worse.
“His way of fighting inflation, it’s going to be a painful process—by making other countries pay their share of tariffs.”
Despite concerns, others felt Trump was at least taking action, unlike Democrats.
“He did a lot of things—whether it actually happens exactly how he wanted it to happen or not, at least he tried and actually did something. That’s more than I could say about the Democrats, probably ever,” said Illya M.
Democratic Party Faces Harsh Criticism
The focus group revealed widespread frustration with the Democratic Party, with participants describing it as “weak,” “hypocritical,” “untrustworthy,” and “not relatable.”
“They’re not really relatable, just trying to sell a dream that’s not the reality,” said Kasheem S.
Some participants felt the Democrats have abandoned Black men and that their messaging was out of touch.
“They got Obama up here to talk to us men as if he’s in control or something,” said Kasheem S.. “Stop with all the celebrities… A lot was spent on celebrities with that campaign, and it did nothing for me.”
Even the Democrats in the group criticized their own party.
“They’re weak and hypocritical,” said Marlon M., 47, from Pennsylvania.
Some said voting for Trump opened their minds to supporting Republican candidates in the future.
“I think voting for Trump now has opened my eyes to more consideration on a Republican side, just naturally,” said Denzel B.
DEI Programs Spark Partisan Divide
Trump’s push to dismantle federal DEI programs drew polarized responses. The four Democrats in the group supported keeping DEI in place.
“It may not be perfect, but I think it still has to be something in place to combat discrepancies in the workplace,” said Jeffrey G.
The rest of the participants believed DEI should be eliminated, arguing that merit—not race—should determine job opportunities.
“Affirmative action never helped me, so I’m cool with not having affirmative action, DEI, or any of that,” said Illya M.
Some also pushed back on Trump’s unfounded claim that DEI policies were responsible for a deadly midair collision between a plane and an Army helicopter in January. While Democrats in the group criticized Trump for making the claim without evidence, others sided with him.
“I wouldn’t even be comfortable knowing that they was a DEI hire—I don’t wanna be on this plane,” said Illya M.
Pardon for Derek Chauvin? Most Say No
The group was also asked about a push from Trump allies to pardon Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of killing George Floyd.
Most said they would be upset if Trump granted Chauvin a pardon.
“That’s a nation that would be pissed,” said Charles B., a 51-year-old Republican from North Carolina.
A few, however, were willing to give Trump the benefit of the doubt.
“OK, I’m upset,” said Joel A., 65, from Pennsylvania. “But he might know something that I don’t know.”
Support for Trump, but Not Without Reservations
While most focus group participants stood by Trump, the discussion highlighted growing concerns about DOGE, tariffs, and his economic policies.
At the same time, frustration with the Democratic Party remains high, with many seeing Trump’s willingness to take action as a key reason for their support.
Margaret Talev, director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, summed it up:
“Whether their embrace now of President Trump or Elon Musk is strong or conditional, they are united in their mistrust of and disappointment with Democrats as the alternative.”
