Survey Says AAPI Adults Disapprove of Trump Administration’s Priorities

An April 2025 survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and AAPI Data shows that 55% of AAPI adults believe the Trump administration is focused on the wrong issues, while just 18% say it's on the right track. It paints a picture of an uneasy voting bloc whose priorities diverge from Trump’s agenda.

Trump’s economic messaging doesn’t appear to be resonating with many AAPI voters. The poll found 71% disapprove of his handling of the economy and trade, while 63% disapprove of how the administration has been managing federal spending.

Rather than supporting mass government layoffs or sweeping agency cuts, which are core elements of Trump's “Schedule F” plan, AAPI adults overwhelmingly favor practical economic relief. Almost 80% say that lowering healthcare costs should be a top priority. Similarly, around 70% support efforts to reduce food costs, and about 60% say housing affordability is a major concern.

Among responders, immigration is the most important issue, with 42% saying it's a top concern, up from 29% in 2024. Views on immigration enforcement are less united. 4 in 10 actually support mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, while a similar number oppose it. The rest remain undecided. Support for mass deportations is much lower among younger AAPI respondents. 20% of those ages 18 to 29 agree with the policy.

When asked which political party they trust more to address important issues, AAPI adults expressed a wider margin of confidence in Democrats, especially on climate change. Only 15% say that they trust Republicans to handle the current climate crisis, compared with 56% who trust Democrats, a 41-point gap.

Despite a recent bump in favorability since late 2024, about 60% view Trump unfavorably, and emotional reactions to his second term skew heavily negative. Around 4 in 10 AAPI adults say they feel “fearful” about Trump’s return to power, and around one-third say they feel “angry.” Only about 20% express feelings of satisfaction or excitement, an indicator that enthusiasm is still in short supply, even among those open to voting Republican.

The AAPI electorate, diverse in background, language, and immigration history, remains a complex and evolving force in American politics, but this poll suggests broad disapproval of Trump-era priorities, especially when it comes to economic policy, immigration enforcement, and government reform.

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