From Biden to Trump: Two Georgia Voters, Two Starkly Different Reviews

Gerald gave the president an A++. Wally gave him an F. Both voted for Donald Trump in 2024 after backing Joe Biden in 2020.

A pair of Black men from suburban Atlanta who voted for President Joe Biden in 2020 and switched to President Donald Trump in 2024 have issued contrasting grades for the current administration. The individuals, identified as participants in NPR's "Swing Shift" project, are part of a group of a dozen voters from battleground states being tracked over a three-year period.

Voter Background and Grades

Gerald, age 51, and Wally, age 44, both switched their votes to Trump in the 2024 election. When asked to grade the president's performance, Gerald assigned an A++, while Wally gave an F.

According to pollster Frank Luntz, these individuals represent "the 7 percent of America that goes back and forth" and frequently determine election results.

Gerald stated that he trusts President Trump has a plan, and described him as not following a conventional political script. He said he is willing to endure current economic conditions for what he considers long-term benefits, noting that he has reduced spending and used discount apps to save money.

Wally stated that he voted for Trump to create disruption, arguing that the country will not see change until it reaches a crisis point. He said he intends to "weather this guy" through 2029 and cited higher gas prices as a negative outcome of the administration's policies.

National Approval Trends

According to a February 2025 survey, 36% of Black voters approved of President Trump's job performance. By the time of the article, that figure had dropped to 26%.

Broader Impact of Gas Prices on Swing Voters

In separate audio recorded for the Swing Shift project, voters from Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina, Michigan, and Georgia reported paying between $3.67 and $5.50 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline.

• 81% of respondents in an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reported that current gas prices strain their household budgets.
• Over 60% of respondents in the same poll stated they blame President Trump for the increase.

Voters reported various personal adjustments and assessments:

• Colleen (Pennsylvania, voted for Kamala Harris in 2024): $4.37/gallon.
• John (Philadelphia, voted for Trump in 2024): $4.25/gallon; reported higher costs for groceries and dining out.
• Lee (Nevada, voted for Trump in 2024): $5.50/gallon; expressed support for President Trump's Iran policy while acknowledging the president may have initiated the conflict.
• Michelle (Michigan, voted for Trump in 2024): $4.96/gallon; reported being on a fixed income.
• Theresa (Pennsylvania, voted for Trump in 2024): $4.69/gallon; said the issue would affect her 2026 vote and expressed a desire for candidate responsiveness to the middle class.
• Jason (North Carolina): $3.67/gallon; cited Russia's invasion of Ukraine as relevant context.

Market and Political Context

According to reports, the national average for regular unleaded gasoline peaked above $5 per gallon in 2021 under President Biden. Economists at the time attributed high prices to supply disruptions related to the Russia-Ukraine war, refining capacity constraints, and high global oil demand. By the time of the article, gas prices had risen again in early May due to regional refinery issues and high global oil prices.