POLL: Trump’s Support Among Gen Z, Demographic He Won In 2024, Collapses

One of the biggest takeaways from the 2024 election was that Donald Trump far exceeded expectations when it came to Gen Z voters. Trump made notable gains among younger voters, specifically those under 30. The narrowing of the gap was a surprising development for many on the left and signaled major challenges for the Democratic Party’s future.

However, recent data suggests a different trend among young Americans. According to an Economist/YouGov poll of over 1,600 Americans conducted October 24-27, Trump’s support among individuals under the age of 30 has collapsed. Previously, in February, his approval rating among Americans ages 18-29 stood at 50%, with just 42% expressing disapproval. Now, 75% of 18-29-year-olds disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president, with 55% strongly disapproving.

When it comes to handling the economy and inflation, 72% of young Americans disapprove. Additionally, 61% of 18-29-year-olds believe the economy is getting worse. As for personal finances, 38% say they are in the same spot as last year, while 42% say they are worse off. The poll also found that 70% of respondents between ages 18-29 believe the U.S. is on the wrong track.

This makes sense given the current economic climate. The unemployment rate among young Americans is trending upward, and college graduates—even those with more practical degrees—are having a tougher time finding jobs as the labor market slows down. Meanwhile, the median price of a house hit a record high of $435,000 in June, further exacerbating affordability issues for young people.

Of course, this one poll is just a snapshot. Many economic trends, aside from tariffs and trade wars, are largely out of Trump’s control. But affordability and inflation remain the primary concerns for young Americans—and likely for many Americans who are not strictly partisan.

Broadly speaking, do young Americans really care about the federal government’s standoff against Antifa in Portland? Or about the Biden FBI’s “Arctic Frost” operation that targeted Republicans? Do they care about Letitia James being indicted for mortgage fraud? Probably not. Instead, they are more concerned about 30-year mortgage rates and whether they can even afford a home.

This is not to say these other issues aren’t important. The brewing Arctic Frost scandal may turn out to be one of the biggest controversies of Biden’s presidency, second only to issues surrounding his mental acuity and leadership. However, most young people—many of whom likely voted for Trump primarily due to frustration with Biden-era inflation—are unlikely to support an administration that spends too much energy on political scandals while economic alarm bells keep ringing.

There is a delicate balance to strike between pursuing an agenda that appeals to the president’s most die-hard supporters and tackling the biggest issue that arguably won him the White House in the first place: the economy. So far, the Trump administration has struggled to find that balance.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/31/donald-trump-support-young-americans-generations-gen-z-down-yougov-poll-economy-inflation/

Cotton Reverting Lower on Thursday

Cotton futures are trading with midday losses of 65 to 76 points across most contracts.

Crude oil futures were up 19 cents per barrel, reaching $60.69, while the US dollar index climbed $0.298 to $99.320.

In a recent post, President Trump stated that China is set to purchase massive amounts of other agricultural goods, although no specifics were provided regarding cotton. Tariffs on US agricultural products are expected to be lifted, which could impact trade positively.

The Wednesday online auction from The Seam showed 8,719 bales sold at an average price of 60.14 cents per pound. Meanwhile, the Cotlook A Index rose by 45 points on October 29, reaching 76.40 cents.

ICE certified cotton stocks remained steady on October 29, with the certified stock level at 18,052 bales.

Looking at specific cotton contract prices:

– December 2025 Cotton is at 65.25 cents, down 76 points
– March 2026 Cotton is at 66.82 cents, down 69 points
– May 2026 Cotton is at 68.03 cents, down 68 points

Don’t miss a day of insights—from crude oil to coffee. Sign up for free to receive Barchart’s best-in-class commodity analysis.

*On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have positions (either directly or indirectly) in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data are provided solely for informational purposes. For more details, please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy.*

**More News from Barchart**

– Upcoming U.S.-China Talks Create a Bullish Soybean Trade
– Corn and Soybean Rallies Just Gave Winter Wheat and Soybean Meal a Kick: What Comes Next?
– How Much Higher Can Wheat Prices Go Now?
– China May Not Be Buying U.S. Soybeans, But Soybean Meal Is a Value Buy for Traders

*The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nasdaq, Inc.*
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/cotton-reverting-lower-thursday

President Trump Perfectly Handles Nasty Reporter Shouting at Him About His Nuclear Plans During High-Stakes Trade Summit with Xi Jinping (VIDEO)

President Trump on Wednesday evening addressed a contentious moment with a reporter who shouted questions about his nuclear plans during a trade summit in South Korea with China’s President Xi Jinping.

Speaking from South Korea shortly before his meeting with Xi, President Trump announced that the United States will begin testing its nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China. This announcement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed tests of two new nuclear weapons systems.

“Russia has conducted a successful test of a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone,” Putin said Wednesday, according to the Associated Press, adding that this new weapon “can’t be intercepted.”

In response, President Trump highlighted the strength of the U.S. nuclear arsenal. “The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my first term in office,” Trump said.

“Because of the tremendous destructive power, I hated to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years,” he added.

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP,” Trump announced on Truth Social.

Despite the tense international context, President Trump entered the trade summit confident, though he acknowledged that China’s Xi Jinping is a tough negotiator.

“I think we’re going to have a deal. I think it will be a good deal for both,” Trump said. “The world is watching, and I think we’ll have something that’s very exciting for everybody.”

During the summit, a reporter interrupted with a loud question: “Mr. President, why did you change your nuclear plans?! Why are you doing more nuclear testing?!”

President Trump swiftly dismissed the press pool, responding calmly, “Thank you very much, everybody,” and continued without missing a beat.

Later that evening, President Trump boarded Air Force One and returned to the White House.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/10/president-trump-perfectly-handles-nasty-reporter-shouting-him/

Pentagon move to pull troops from Romania ‘directly at odds’ with Trump strategy: GOP lawmakers

WASHINGTON — The Republican chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees criticized the Pentagon’s Wednesday decision to remove hundreds of U.S. troops from Romania, a country that shares a border with Ukraine. They argued that the move contradicts the White House’s ongoing pressure campaign on Russia.

“This decision sends the wrong signal to Russia at the very moment President Trump is applying pressure to force Vladimir Putin to come to the table to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine,” said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) in a joint statement.

“The President has it exactly right: now is the time for America to demonstrate our resolve against Russian aggression. Unfortunately, the Pentagon’s decision appears uncoordinated and directly at odds with the President’s strategy,” they added.

This troop pullout would not be the first time the Pentagon has taken unilateral action that contradicts Trump’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine. U.S. defense officials have previously attempted to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine, only to be reversed once the president became aware of these moves.

The Republican rebuke followed the Department of Defense’s announcement that it would not replace the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division when the unit rotates back to their Kentucky home base as scheduled. While the Pentagon has not specified how many troops will be affected, the Romanian Defense Ministry stated that Bucharest expects between 700 and 800 U.S. forces to leave the country, with approximately 900 to 1,000 remaining.

The Pentagon denied that this decision would “change the security environment in Europe,” arguing that the troop reduction was appropriate because NATO allies could now take on the responsibilities previously held by U.S. troops. This, they said, was a direct result of “President Trump’s call for NATO members to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe.”

“This is not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5,” stated U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command (USAREUR-AF) in a press release. “Rather, this is a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility.”

While Rogers and Wicker acknowledged that “thanks to President Trump’s leadership, our European allies have agreed to shoulder historic levels of the burden of collective defense,” they cautioned that drawing down the U.S. presence too soon could reverse the president’s progress.

“European rearmament will take time,” they said. “Pulling back U.S. forces from NATO’s Eastern flank prematurely, and just weeks after Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, undermines deterrence and risks inviting further Russian aggression.”

Additionally, the Pentagon’s decision was made without prior consultation with Congress, which Rogers and Wicker called especially concerning. They highlighted “the clear bipartisan and bicameral support for a robust U.S. posture in Europe,” as expressed in both the House and Senate versions of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act.

“The legislation also makes clear the Congressional intent that no modifications be made to the U.S. posture in Europe absent a thorough review process,” they emphasized.

The Department of Defense is currently conducting a force posture review, examining the U.S. military presence in Europe, estimated to range between 80,000 and 100,000 troops, as well as forces deployed around the globe. Although officials have indicated that reducing U.S. forces in Europe is under consideration, the findings of this review are not expected to be announced before early next year.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/29/world-news/pentagon-move-to-pull-troops-from-romania-directly-at-odds-with-trump-strategy-gop-lawmakers/

Trump Criticizes Fed Chair Powell Over Interest Rate Policy

**President Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit**

On October 29, 2025, President Donald Trump openly criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in South Korea. Trump ridiculed the Fed’s interest rate policies, highlighting ongoing tensions that could influence U.S. economic strategies and impact market confidence—particularly in interest-sensitive assets such as cryptocurrencies.

### Trump Mocks Powell: Calls for Faster Rate Cuts

Speaking at the APEC summit, Trump labeled Jerome Powell as “Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell,” a sharp critique of the Fed chair’s handling of interest rate cuts. His remarks drew laughter from the audience and underscored his frustration with what he perceives as the slow pace of monetary policy adjustments.

Trump emphasized his insistence that the Federal Reserve keep interest rates low despite inflation risks. He confidently predicted that the U.S. economy will achieve 4% growth in early 2026—a forecast significantly more optimistic than the median economist predictions.

“We will not let the Fed raise interest rates because they are worried about inflation three years from now,” Trump declared, reinforcing his stance against the Fed’s cautious approach.

### Crypto Markets Watch Fed Moves Amid Rate Debate

Historically, President Trump’s public criticisms of the Federal Reserve have triggered short-term market volatility and sparked debates regarding the stability of the U.S. dollar. Such debates have indirectly fueled interest in cryptocurrencies as alternative stores of value.

As of now, Bitcoin (BTC) is priced at $113,069.26, according to CoinMarketCap. The cryptocurrency boasts a market capitalization of $2.25 trillion and maintains a market dominance of 59.22%. With a maximum supply capped at 21 million and a circulating supply of approximately 19.94 million BTC, the digital asset experienced a slight decline of 0.51% in the last 24 hours.

Stay tuned for more updates on how Federal Reserve policies and global economic developments continue to shape market dynamics and investor sentiment.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/trump-criticizes-fed-chair-powell-over-interest-rate-policy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=trump-criticizes-fed-chair-powell-over-interest-rate-policy

Anti-Zionism is the New Face of Antisemitism

I stood just a few feet from President Trump’s team as thunderous applause and standing ovations erupted again and again during his speech to the Knesset. It was a historic moment that resonated deeply with everyone present.

As Trump spoke, word spread that all the hostages had been released—a truly remarkable development.

From Jerusalem, the President then traveled directly to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to meet with Muslim leaders and representatives from nations around the world. Astonishingly, they united behind his peace plan, signaling a new era of cooperation and hope.

There is no question—the war in Gaza is over.
https://www.realclearreligion.org/2025/10/27/anti-zionism_is_the_new_face_of_antisemitism_1143483.html

Trump has begun Asia trip with major trade deal and openness to meeting Kim Jong Un

Trump then traveled to Japan on Monday to finalize a trade deal. Upon arriving, he shook hands with Emperor Naruhito. He is expected to meet with Japan’s newly elected prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, later on. Committing to a trade deal with the U.S. would be a monumental moment for the start of her term.

Takaichi, a staunch conservative and the first female prime minister of Japan, has drawn comparisons to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was a close friend of Trump during his first term. Reminiscing about his friendship with Abe, the president wished Takaichi well in her new job.

“I hear phenomenal things,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “She was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend.”

“I know they were very close, and I think philosophically they were close, which is good,” he said. “That really helps Japan and the United States. I think she’s going to be great.”

Trump will depart on Wednesday for South Korea, the last planned stop of his three-nation tour. While there, he will discuss the possibility of finalizing a trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Their meeting, which comes one day before the start of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, was previously expected to be scrapped after Trump threatened an additional 100% tariff by November 1 in response to China’s export controls on rare earth minerals.

Trump suggested he would skip the meeting, but once trade tensions eased, the meeting remained on schedule. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Sunday that the U.S. and China are expected to agree on a trade deal “framework” that will avoid the 100% tariff.

Trump said he is optimistic the U.S. will “come away with a deal” following his meeting with Xi. He also hopes to visit Beijing in the near future and suggested Xi could visit Washington, D.C., or his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Regarding the possibility of meeting with Kim Jong Un, Trump remains open to the idea, partly because it would be easy to add to his schedule, given that South Korea is his last stop.

“I’d love to meet with him, if he’d like to meet,” he said. “I got along great with Kim Jong Un. I liked him, he liked me.” The two have met three times in person.

**TRUMP INKS TRADE DEALS ON ASIA TRIP, WITH US-CHINA AGREEMENT CLOSE AHEAD OF XI MEETING**

At the beginning of his diplomatic tour, Trump made a pit stop in the Middle East and brought the emir of Qatar and the country’s prime minister onto Air Force One. Trump said it was a “great honor” to host the Qatari leaders.

The appearance followed the signing of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas this month. Because Qatar played a mediating role in ending the conflict, Trump thanked the nation’s leaders.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/3864631/trump-begins-asia-trip-major-trade-deal-openness-meeting-kim-jong-un/

Trump says he expects to reach trade deal with China on his Asia trip

President Trump is scheduled to arrive soon in Japan, where new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is banking on building a friendly personal relationship with the U.S. leader to ease trade tensions. The meeting is an early diplomatic test for Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan. She took office only last week and has a tenuous coalition backing her.

Mr. Trump spent Sunday in Malaysia, where he participated in a regional summit of Southeast Asian nations and reached preliminary trade agreements with Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. While en route to Japan, he returned to the press cabin on Air Force One along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Mr. Trump said he would talk about the “great friendship” between the U.S. and Japan during his visit. “I hear phenomenal things” about Takaichi, he said, noting her closeness with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom Mr. Trump had a good relationship during his first term. “It’s going to be very good,” he added. “That really helps Japan and the United States.”

Mr. Trump also expressed optimism about reaching a trade agreement with China. Officials from the world’s two largest economies said Sunday that they had reached an initial consensus for Mr. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to try to finalize during a high-stakes meeting later in the week.

“I have a lot of respect for President Xi,” Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One. “I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” he said. He added that he might sign a final deal on TikTok on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that a TikTok deal announced last month is set to be finalized on Thursday during the Trump-Xi meeting.

After Japan, Trump’s Asian tour will conclude in South Korea, where he is expected to meet with Xi on the sidelines of the Pacific Rim summit, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

On other matters, Mr. Trump rejected the possibility of running for vice president as a way to get back to the presidency, saying, “I’d be allowed to do it” but wouldn’t because “it’s too cute.” Steve Bannon, a Trump ally, has repeatedly said the president could serve a third term despite a constitutional prohibition. Mr. Trump himself has flirted with the idea but said on Air Force One, “I haven’t really thought about it.”

He praised Rubio and Vance as potential future Republican candidates. “I’m not sure if anybody would run against those two. I think if they ever formed a group, it would be unstoppable,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Trump also said he would be willing to extend his trip if there was a chance to talk to reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Since South Korea is the president’s last stop before returning to the U.S., “it’s pretty easy to do,” he noted.

Mr. Trump’s overtures to reconnect with Kim have gone unanswered. “If he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea,” Trump said.

There are many security issues in the region, including access to the South China Sea and the future of Taiwan. However, Mr. Trump’s focus has undoubtedly been on trade and his desire to realign the international economy under his vision of “America first.” For the most part, that means tariffs, or at least the threat of them.

Mr. Trump has frequently used taxes on imports from allies and adversaries alike in an effort to boost domestic manufacturing or seek more favorable terms. However, his unilateral power to enact tariffs remains contested. The president is awaiting a Supreme Court decision in a case that could solidify or limit his authority.

The president is flying to Tokyo from Kuala Lumpur, where he attended the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He participated in a ceremonial signing of an expanded ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, which fought earlier this year. Trump helped pressure both countries to stop their conflict by threatening to withhold trade agreements.

The ASEAN summit wasn’t a guaranteed part of any president’s itinerary but served as an opportunity for Mr. Trump to reengage with a critical region for the first time since returning to office.

While on his way to Japan, Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social that Argentine President Javier Milei was “doing a wonderful job” as his party beat expectations in midterm elections. “Our confidence in him was justified by the People of Argentina,” Mr. Trump wrote.

Trump ally Milei essentially received a vote of confidence to pursue his policies aimed at breaking long-standing inflation and economic problems in Argentina. A libertarian seeking to unlock free-market forces, Milei has endeared himself to Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement with an appearance this year at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in the U.S.

The Trump administration provided a $20 billion credit swap line to bolster Milei ahead of the election and was looking to provide an additional $20 billion to support the value of Argentina’s peso.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-says-he-expects-to-reach-trade-deal-with-china-as-his-asia-trip-continues/

H-1B Visas Have Become a Boon for “So-Called American Companies”

“So-called American companies say they have no choice but to use the H-1B program because they ‘can’t find Americans for these jobs,’” says InvestAzoria CEO James Fishback.

“Here’s the ugly truth,” he writes, “they’re not even looking for Americans. They refuse to interview them. They hide job postings in obscure newspapers to ‘check the box,’ and when no one ‘applies,’ they import another foreign worker—denying yet another qualified American a job, a wage, and the dignity and purpose that come with both. It’s disgraceful. It’s time to finally and fully dismantle the H-1B scam.”

A community note correctly points out that the postings are required by law and are legal, but this does not change the main point. American companies prioritize H-1B visa holders and abuse the program. They aren’t genuinely seeking American candidates.

Currently, several companies are suing against the $100,000 fee per applicant that President Trump imposed. The former president has vowed to fight these legal challenges.

### The Program Is an Exercise in Abuse

The H-1B visa program is often criticized for being exploited by employers to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign labor, particularly in the IT sector. This practice leads to wage suppression and raises national security concerns.

Originally, the program was designed to fill jobs that are specialized and hard to fill with American workers. However, widespread abuses have undermined the job market for Americans and fueled concerns about its integrity.

Ongoing investigations and regulatory changes aim to address these issues and ensure the program serves its intended purpose without harming U.S. workers.

### Legal Challenges to the $100,000 Fee

The Trump administration is preparing to defend its controversial new H-1B visa policy in federal court, following a wave of lawsuits challenging the $100,000 fee imposed on new visa applicants. The administration argues that this fee hike is necessary to protect American jobs and restore integrity to the skilled worker program.

However, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce contends that the new $100,000 fee is unlawful because it overrides requirements set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Specifically, the litigation asserts that visa fees must be based on the government’s actual costs in processing visas—a benchmark that the six-figure fee drastically exceeds.

In addition to the Chamber’s filing, a broad coalition of unions, employers, educators, and religious groups has filed separate lawsuits in federal courts across Washington, D.C., and California. These groups claim the fee is “arbitrary and capricious” and argue it will ultimately harm critical U.S. industries relying on high-skilled foreign talent.

### Impact on the Tech Sector

The tech sector, including companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, heavily utilizes the H-1B program to fill specialized roles. These legal battles reflect deep divisions over how to balance the needs of American workers with the demand for skilled foreign labor.

Despite these challenges, critics argue that many corporate interests represented by groups like the Chamber of Commerce have little regard for protecting American workers. Instead, their agendas often prioritize access to cheaper foreign labor.

As debates continue, the future of the H-1B program remains uncertain. Policymakers must carefully weigh the interests of American workers, employers, and national security to craft a fair and effective skilled worker visa system.
https://www.independentsentinel.com/h-1b-visas-have-become-a-boon-for-so-called-american-companies/

Trump’s Asia Tour: Deals, Diplomacy and a Meeting With Xi

From Kuala Lumpur to Gyeongju, President Trump is casting himself as a deal-maker and peace negotiator.

As he travels through the region, he aims to promote tariff relief and establish steadier ties amid a wary environment.

Leaders and citizens alike are watching closely to see how his diplomatic efforts might impact the future of international relations in this part of the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/world/asia/trump-japan-korea-china.html