GEORGIA — Thirteen Georgia swing voters who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and then for President Trump in 2024 expressed broad disapproval of his second-term performance, anxiety over the U.S. military conflict with Iran, and economic unease during two online focus groups conducted Tuesday night. The sessions were organized by messaging and market research firms Engagious and Sago as part of the Swing Voter Project.

Most of the 13 participants said they disapprove of Trump's job performance so far in his second term. Three participants said they approve, citing immigration enforcement. Seven of the participants identified as independents, five as Republicans, and one as a Democrat.

None of the 13 participants described the military action in Iran as going well. Participants used the words "afraid," "angry," "concerned," "sad," and "despair" to describe how the conflict made them feel, and many said they were worried the war was being mishandled and likely to continue causing economic pressures at home. Nick H., a 28-year-old independent voter, said Trump completely underestimated Iran as an opponent in how the war would play out and failed to anticipate that Iran could use drones and drone technology based on U.S. observations of the Ukraine war.

Bryan M., an independent voter, said the U.S. has lost a lot of expensive military equipment in the conflict. "And our weapons shouldn't be destroyed that easily because they're more advanced than Iran's," Bryan M. said. He also said no one can predict the economy's direction with rising oil and food prices.

Participants said they perceive a wide gap between their own priorities and Trump's priorities. Twelve of the 13 respondents said they are more anxious about the economy now than before he took office again, pointing primarily to rising prices. Joe J., a 56-year-old independent voter, said he promised to lower prices on eggs and other items but has cut health insurance subsidies, causing costs to rise. "I see my pocketbook being hit and he's building a new ballroom for some reason that we don't need. How about you put some money toward us?" Joe J. said.

Other participants voiced similar frustrations about the administration's focus. One participant said Trump is prioritizing taking over as much of the world as possible. Another said the president was mostly focused on enriching himself through crypto scams. A third said he is focused on personal gain rather than addressing job losses, the economy, and housing affordability.

Looking ahead to November, nine participants said they are very likely to vote in the midterm elections, but most said they were undecided about which party they would support. Two participants said they plan to vote for Democrats to send a message to the president. No participant said they plan to vote for Republicans in support of Trump. A majority of participants also said they were concerned about data centers being built in their communities because of the water and energy resources required to operate them.