Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Ex-Trump Fans Reveal “Final Straw” That Made Them Lose Hope In 2025
Former Trump supporter speaking passionately outdoors with American flag blurred in the background in 2025.

Ex-Trump Fans Reveal “Final Straw” That Made Them Lose Hope In 2025

18

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
ADVERTISEMENT

Less than a year into President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House, a number of his former supporters say they have reached breaking point

After nearly a decade of backing his political rise, some now report that Trump’s recent behavior and decisions have pushed them away for good.

Former voters shared their experiences in online forums and community discussions. BP Daily analyzed one such Reddit forum to investigate the top reasons why voters have turned on Trump

Highlights
  • Former Trump supporters cite secrecy around Epstein files as a key reason for losing trust in Trump’s character and leadership.
  • Many ex-supporters criticize Trump’s support for Israel and Ukraine, seeing it as contradictory to his 'America First' promise.
  • Trump’s bombing of Iran and mixed foreign policy decisions disappointed voters who expected stronger America-first actions.
  • The $4.5 trillion 'Big Beautiful Bill' raised deficit concerns, further alienating supporters who expected fiscal responsibility.
RELATED:

    Secrecy around the Epstein files

    Donald Trump speaking outdoors with American flag in background, capturing ex-Trump fans losing hope in 2025.

    Many feel Trump is being secretive about the Epstein files. Image credits: Allison Robbert/Getty Images

     

    For many, Trump’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender accused of trafficking minors, was a critical red line.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Trump had known Epstein socially for years, with some people even describing them as close friends. In 2002, Trump told New York Magazine, “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy.”

    Jack O’Donnell, who served as president of a casino Epstein and Trump frequented from 1987 to 1991, told CNN, “In my mind, Epstein was his best friend.”

    Two men in casual and formal wear posing together, representing ex-Trump fans revealing final straw in 2025.

    Trump and Epstein pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate in 1997. Image credits: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

     

    While the two had an alleged falling out before Epstein’s convictions, the Trump administration’s secrecy around releasing files related to the financier has made many supporters suspicious of Trump.

    “The way trump has been getting defensive whenever the epstein list Is mentioned it tells me he’s hiding something in regards to the epstein list, and I can’t support someone who is associated with that type of activity,” a previous supporter wrote on Reddit.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “He’s either in them [the Epstein files], or covering for the Elites and/or Israel and their connection to him,” said another user, referring to a popular theory that Epstein was connected to Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency.

    Israel has denied the claims.

    Trump’s Response to Israel’s War on Gaza

    For many Americans, Trump brokering the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas while Americans were suffering under the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history left a sour taste.

    Donald Trump and Israeli leader warmly greeting each other in front of Israel flag during a formal event in 2025.

    Trump and Netanyahu on October 13 in Jerusalem after the U.S. brokered a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Image credits: Evelyn Hockstein/Getty Images

     

    One user complained that they are fed up with Trump because he “continues to fund Israel and Ukraine in their wars,” describing it as “hardly America First.” Another called Trump “[Israeli President Benjamin] Netanyahu’s wh**e.”

    An X user shared similar sentiments, saying their support for Trump reduced when he backed Israel, “and the AI video of ‘Trump Gaza.’” 

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “It was him and his followers justifying a horrific genocide (they’ll never call it that, they’ll call it a war) that pushed me over the edge. As a Jew, if you’re looking at what’s happening to innocent civilians in Palestine and have no empathy, you’re inhuman and disgusting,” the user wrote.

    Protesters wearing political masks hold signs criticizing Trump, reflecting ex-Trump fans losing hope in 2025.

    Trump Not Welcome demonstration in London. Image credits: Mark Kerrison/Getty Images

     

    The Washington Post leaked a prospectus in September, where the U.S. planned to develop the “Gaza Riviera” as a string of high-tech megacities.

    Foreign policy contradicts ‘America First’ promises

    One of Trump’s campaign promises was to put “America First.” The policies emphasize taking foreign policy and domestic policy decisions that serve the interests of Americans. 

    However, many Trump voters feel that his decisions in 2025 were not putting Americans first

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Others pointed to Trump’s bombing of Iran. U.S. forces launched coordinated strikes in June against three key nuclear sites in Iran — Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. 

    “I didn’t vote for Trump in 16 or 20, but I did in 2024. I regret voting for him for a collection of reasons,” one person said. One of the reasons was that Trump “painted himself as an anti-war president, but bombed Iran.”

    Top U.S. officials later acknowledged they cannot confirm the whereabouts of Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium, the target of the bombing.

    Trump’s personality and character flaws

    Many former supporters reflected on Trump’s personality and character.

    One user said they “thought he [Trump] was different to the others. Down to earth and listening to what the people of America wanted. But boy was I wrong about the narcissistic racist pedo cheeseball.” 

    Close-up of a serious man in a suit, representing ex-Trump fans revealing their final straw and loss of hope.

    Ex-supporters are dismayed by Trump’s traits. Image credits: Win McNamee/Getty Images
    ADVERTISEMENT

     

    Another said that Trump “embodies so many traits that disgust me. But I thought that maybe this country needed someone to run for President who wasn’t a politician. Oh well.. It looked good on paper.”

    $4.5 trillion tax and spending bill 

    Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act approved in July is a $4.5 trillion package of tax and federal spending cuts, with funding boosts for the Pentagon and border security. 

    The bill is highly controversial as it will cause the deficit to rise sharply, adding an estimated $3.3 trillion to the deficit through 2034. Analysts also said the tax cuts would benefit the wealthy, while the spending cuts would hurt the most vulnerable.

    Group of politicians gathered around desk with One Big Beautiful Bill Act sign, illustrating ex-Trump fans losing hope in 2025.

    Speaker of the House Mike Johnson celebrates after the House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Image credits: Alex Wong/Getty Images

     

    “Trump once called it ‘unpatriotic’ to have such a large national debt.  Yet he just pushed a budget bill through that will add $3.2 trillion annually to our already $37 trillion debt,” a user said on Reddit.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Another said, “the big beautiful bill was annoying because the military doesn’t need more money, in fact it probably needs to get DOGE’d like the rest of the government.”

    Poll Question

    Total votes ·

    Thanks! Check out the results:

    Total votes ·
    Share on Facebook
    Avi Gopani

    Avi Gopani

    Author, News Reporter

    Read more »

    Avi Gopani is an Amsterdam-based journalist currently covering global current affairs at Bored Panda. She has previously reported for The Copenhagen Post, The European Correspondent, and Analytics India Magazine, covering stories across Europe and Asia. Outside the newsroom, she enjoys reading, traveling, and swimming.

    Read less »
    Avi Gopani

    Avi Gopani

    Author, News Reporter

    Avi Gopani is an Amsterdam-based journalist currently covering global current affairs at Bored Panda. She has previously reported for The Copenhagen Post, The European Correspondent, and Analytics India Magazine, covering stories across Europe and Asia. Outside the newsroom, she enjoys reading, traveling, and swimming.

    What do you think ?
    Related on BP Daily
    Popular on BP Daily
    Trending on BP Daily
    Also on BP Daily