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Yesterday, we talked about how Arizonans have fared during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term.
I asked what this past year under Trump has been like for you, and here’s what you said:
💬 “A complete disaster financially, emotionally and morally. I am witnessing the complete deterioration of democracy. Our Allies are no longer our Allies and we are invading foreign countries while our own is in disarray. I’m doing NOT GOOD is a ginormous understatement.” — Kristin H.
💬 “I am a scientist. When Trump cut NIH funding and fired thousands of scientists who flooded the market I was unable to secure a job in my field. I had to leave my home country and move to Europe to find a job. Yes many US scientists are coming to Europe and Europe is capitalizing on the brain drain. The US is losing the scientific and medical power it once had.” — Ana G.
💬 “He has done wonders for this country that was decimated by Biden.” — Tonya P.
💬 “It’s been exhausting…just like in his first term. Every day he does something ridiculous. I resent his intentions and actions to make money off the citizens of the US. I resent his love of millionaires and billionaires, and contempt of those who work honest lives, day in and day out. As a retiree, I find myself donating to feed and care for people the prez has tossed aside. I can’t afford to do that, but I won’t stop until the government gets back in order.” — Wendy H.
💬 “We are fortunate to have enough income in our retirement to afford (so far) increasing prices for food, services, and other items. But I worry about my son and his fiance who both use Obamacare and face much higher costs. They may choose to give it up because of that. As a retired Nurse Practitioner, I worry about infants and children who may not receive vaccinations that protected my own children because of the … changes. I worry about seniors and working folks who aren’t as fortunate and have to prioritize what they can afford to do or pay (Medicine? Rent? Food?). I am shocked and horrified by the actions of our government and ICE against immigrants and basically, any person of color, along with innocent protestors. Their aggressiveness and violence is reminiscent of Hitler’s goons. I am angry and saddened to have a president who only cares about himself, who insults allies, threatens anyone who disagrees with him, and seems to have either dementia or insanity much of the time. And finally, the spineless GOP Congress members who, for the most part, do his bidding. They are complicit in the madness and chaos going on in our country. I am looking forward to the midterm elections.” — Mary A.
💬 “It has been great. I am glad to see the border closed [to migrants seeking asylum], ICE deporting illegal criminals and illegals, wages up, mortgage interest rates down, boys and men out of female sports, return to Christianity, inflation down.” — Betty A.
(Editor’s note: ICE has also detained and deported US citizens.)
💬 “Most of the people I know are completely distressed about the first year of Trump. As am I. It is much worse than I thought it would be and I am in shock at how quickly he has destroyed systems that I thought were untouchable. I work at the intersection between science and art at ASU and the university is in shrink mode. No one dares look for a new job, no one dares to think up a new thought. It is quite depressing.” — Pamela W.
💬 “Not good at it’s devastated my income, lost my health care. And his actions stress me out really bad. I think he’s hurting our country and its people. Most of all fear the destruction of what’s left of our mother earth and all her creatures.” — Linda W.
💬 “Being a ‘boomer’ MWF, I have a lot of privilege and I realize that I need to use it to stand up whenever possible, and I do. I have lived in Show Low for 27 yrs., for work reasons and the beauty. I am def a Democrat/Independent morally, but would like the party to have more fiscal responsibility. My actual day to day life has not changed under Trump, except the cost of EVERYTHING has increased enormously with tariffs. Beef, eggs, utilities – everything! But in comparison, my political activities have increased, along with my angst. I worry every day and try to channel that into awareness with friends and family. I write to Eli Crane frequently to emphasize his support for rural healthcare for the White Mtns, as well as voting rights for all people. I always try and mention the huge amount of native population in Navajo Co. and making sure that they continue to have the ability to vote. So much of that population are in remote areas, with little or no internet and far from voting places. We also have a state with incredible beauty and natural resources. I worry about the ‘giveaway’ of natural minerals, logging, gas and oil, potassium…etc. There are many Trumpians on the mountain and I try to be tactful with most of them, ‘but inside I’d like to rip them a new one.’ I really can’t imagine anyone that is not just disgusted with what’s going on. How can you even have a soul or conscience if you think this is OK? Oh and you’re ‘Christian’ too? Really? I think our state leadership is incredibly wonderful, except for J6 supporters like Biggs, Crane, Lake (hopefully she’s gone) and more.” – Eileen H.
💬 “This has been extremely hard and stressful. It feels like we are heading back toward a Jim Crow–era mentality, which makes me question whether this country was ever truly better when it comes to race. In my opinion, Trump rose to power using tactics disturbingly similar to those employed by Hitler. Even the term “MAGA” feels like a slap in the face—when exactly has the United States ever been “great” for anyone other than white Americans? It certainly has not been great for African Americans, Native Americans, or people of Mexican descent. And let’s be honest: Mexicans are also Native Americans. If the focus were genuinely on going after criminals, I would fully support that. However, the data shows that over 30% of the people ICE is detaining are not criminals. This administration thrives on lies and propaganda. Trump and his allies are following a well-worn authoritarian playbook.” — Dion
(Editor’s note: According to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, over 70% of ICE detainees as of Nov. 30, 2025, had no criminal record.)
💬 “Total disaster. He is a dictator and has weaponized federal agencies to charge people with crimes that speak out against him. The cuts to medical research will have forever consequences in the research to discover cures for diseases. The list of damage Trump has done is gut wrenching.” — Barbara G.
💬 “I am watching TikTok users flee and move to UpScrolled, or find other platforms. We are literally watching the Billionaire class take over and centralize American corporations. Sadly, if you are not an educated critical thinking person, you will not realize the America you thought would be ‘made better’ is only becoming a country like Russia. Small businesses do not thrive there, they live with less, scientists are controlled, healthcare is terrible, prices on basic needs and groceries are high, and Oligarchs (excessively wealthy people) run the country under a dictator.” — Colleen R.
