The Democratic Party’s economic messaging during the Biden administration was that “everything is okay” and “it’s not as bad as you think.” Since the election, rhetoric has begun to shift in tone and focus. With Trump back in office, Democrats are remembering the importance of acknowledging the voters’ plight in a down economy.

Voter Sentiment 

MIG Reports data from recent online discussion shows the inverse patterns of public perception among Democrats and Republicans.

Jobs

• 70% of Democratic-leaning voters are positive about jobs under Biden.
• 68% of Republicans are critical, citing illegal immigrating competition government job growth.

Economy

• 30% of Democrats praise Biden’s economy, citing healthcare and education funding.
• 20% voice dissatisfaction with inflation and policy mismanagement.
• 65% of Republicans are critical of Biden’s economy, including inflation and wage stagnation.

Trade

• 70% of Democratic voters worry about Trump’s tariff plans leading to trade wars.
• 65% of Republican voters support aggressive trade policies to correct imbalances.

Post-Election Rhetoric

Fiscal Responsibility

Since November, Democratic messaging has shifted toward acknowledging fiscal concerns, including national debt, which consumes nearly 30% of government revenue. Voter frustration with inefficient spending, particularly on foreign aid and disaster management, has driven calls for greater accountability. Comparatively, pre-election rhetoric often downplayed fiscal mismanagement, focusing instead on equity-driven narratives.

“America Last” Social Safety Nets

Democrats consistently champion social safety nets like unemployment benefits and healthcare programs. Advocating for unemployment benefits for illegal immigrants draws sharp criticism from Republicans, independents, and some disenchanted Democrats.

Post-election, their rhetoric is focusing on defending these programs against Republican critiques. However, voter sentiment reveals growing dissatisfaction with how Biden has implemented and prioritized these policies.

Equity-Focused Policies

The Democratic push for taxing the wealthy and funding climate initiatives continues, but voter dissatisfaction with delayed tangible benefits is growing. Progressive rhetoric on equity contrasts sharply with middle-class frustrations over rising living costs and inflation.

Strategic Shifts in Messaging

Inflation and Cost-of-Living

Inflation remains a pivotal voter issue. With Biden leaving office and Trump entering, Democrats are starting to adopt a more realist stance. They are more willing to acknowledge the reality of inflation under Trump 2.0. This contrasts with pre-election narratives, where Democrats minimized inflationary concerns.

Trade and Global Economics

Democratic fear about tariffs and trade wars brings rhetoric around potential consumer price increases. Pre-election messaging often emphasized balanced trade, even as Biden continued many of the trade policies from Trump 1.0. However, sentiment shows Republicans are successfully framing tariffs as necessary for economic nationalism.

Jobs and Employment

Job creation under Biden is a central Democratic talking point as they tout more than 250,000 nonfarm payroll increases in December 2024 and a 4.1% unemployment rate. However, Republican critiques linking job market struggles to policies benefiting illegal workers and job growth from government jobs is causing a pivot to acknowledging job displacement.

Contrasts with Republican Messaging

Republicans maintain focus on fiscal conservatism and economic nationalism. They emphasize inflation control, debt reduction, and middle-class tax relief. This contrasts with progressive idealism and perceptions of rampant spending under Biden.

Recommendations

• Capitalize on Inflation Concerns: Highlight Democratic unwillingness to address inflation and jobs under Biden—connect this to middle-class hardships.
• Emphasize Fiscal Conservatism: Contrast Democratic spending inefficiencies with Republican calls for debt reduction and the goals of DOGE.
• Push for Economic Nationalism: Frame aggressive trade policies as a defense of American jobs and sovereignty.

At the start of 2025, American social media discussions about immigration remain at the forefront as a critical issue beyond the news cycle. Discussions cover economic anxiety, national identity, political distrust, and safety concerns dominated the discourse. These conversations reflect significant tensions and ideological divides over how immigration impacts the nation’s economic stability, cultural heritage, and governance.

How are Americans Reacting?

A recurring theme is the fear that immigration undermines job security for American workers, particularly those in lower and middle-income brackets. Discussions often target policies like H-1B visas and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. Voters perceive these as prioritizing foreign workers over domestic labor.

Critics say pro-immigration policies benefit corporations and elites while sidelining the economic needs of native-born citizens. This perspective is accompanied by a sense of betrayal, with claims that the government has failed to safeguard American jobs against foreign competition.

“America First actually means importing a bunch of foreigners because you Americans aren’t good enough.”

This is the contempt they have for you.

— Andrew Torba (@BasedTorba) December 25, 2024

National Identity and Cultural Tensions

Many conversations emphasize preserving American cultural identity, framing immigration as a challenge to societal cohesion. Many express concern that an influx of immigrants, including legal immigrants, threatens traditional American values and norms.

Voters use emotionally charged language invoking historical and ideological references to national pride and sovereignty. While some acknowledge the historical role of immigration in shaping the nation, they argue for policies that prioritize cultural preservation alongside economic pragmatism.

Are Americans Seeking Alternate Methods?

Criticizing political leadership is prominent, with many accusing the Biden administration of prioritizing corporate interests or humanitarian agendas over national security and citizen welfare.

Discussions frequently allege corruption and betrayal by political elites, framing immigration policies as part of a broader failure in governance. This distrust extends to perceptions that political figures on the left are using immigration strategically to influence electoral outcomes, further deepening divisions.

If citizenship is little more than a job permit to be employed in a particular global economic zone and has no greater meaning, creates no permanent obligations, and engenders no reverence for a nation’s culture, history, language, and people, then it is meaningless and should be…

— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) January 2, 2025

People Over Politics

The discourse is polarized, with immigration serving as a focal point for broader cultural and political battles. Those advocating stricter immigration measures often align with nationalist rhetoric, emphasizing sovereignty and the protection of American workers.

Conversely, those supporting reform highlight the economic and humanitarian benefits of immigration while critiquing systemic inefficiencies. This ideological conflict underscores the broader struggle over America’s identity and future direction.

America-First means we want America to WIN. Playing for second place doesn’t cut it. https://t.co/ZsdMx4aRux

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 25, 2024

Is an Immigration Moratorium Coming?

Concerns about safety and security feature prominently, with many discussions linking immigration to crime and terrorism. Specific incidents involving immigrants are frequently cited as evidence of the need for stricter border controls and enhanced vetting processes. These fears are often coupled with broader anxieties about national security and the government’s ability to manage immigration effectively.

President-elect Trump named tech executive and investor Sriram Krishnan as a senior AI advisor in his new administration, creating a heated immigration debate. The debate erupted online with a few key incidents:

• Segments of the MAGA base criticized Krishnan's appointment, citing his views on immigration policy and importing foreign workers on H-1B visas.
• Trump’s “AI and crypto czar,” PayPal cofounder and venture capitalist David Sacks, defended Krishnan on X, arguing Krishnan supports a merit-based green card system rather than unrestricted immigration.
• Elon Musk joined the conversation emphasizing the need for highly skilled engineers in the U.S. and advocating for H-1B visas to import skilled tech workers.
• Vivek Ramaswamy made comments criticizing American culture for not prioritizing excellence, which he linked to the need for foreign-born engineers, defending plans to continue importing foreign workers, further fueling MAGA voter ire.

The debate over H-1B visas and skilled labor immigration is a contentious issue in American public discourse. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who advocate for increasing skilled immigration to bolster innovation and maintain economic competitiveness, are central figures as representatives of MAGA.

Their views on immigration elicit some support, skepticism, and outright hostility among t the base, revealing divisions in how Americans expect Trump 2.0 to handle the economy and the workforce.

H-1B DATA MEGA-THREAD 🧵

I downloaded five years of H-1B data from the US DOL website (4M+ records) and spent the day crunching data.

I went into this with an open mind, but, to be honest, I'm now *extremely* skeptical of how this program works.

Here's what I found 👇 pic.twitter.com/7MtC1bD8oV

— Robert Sterling (@RobertMSterling) December 29, 2024

The Economy is a Dominant Concern

The most pervasive theme in the discourse is economic fear, particularly that skilled immigration threatens job opportunities for American workers. Roughly 50% of the conversation centers on concerns about job displacement, stagnant wages, and rising living costs exacerbated by immigration policies.

Many voters express frustration that programs like H-1B visas prioritize foreign talent at the expense of domestic workers, especially in fields like technology. This sentiment resonates deeply among lower and middle-class Americans. They often frame the issue as emblematic of economic inequality and declining opportunities for American workers.

Skepticism and criticism contain a nostalgic view of American labor markets, emphasizing an era where manufacturing jobs and middle-class stability were more accessible. Critics of Musk and Ramaswamy’s pro-immigration stances argue these policies cater to corporate interests, enabling wage suppression and amplifying wealth disparities.

Cultural Identity and Assimilation

Concerns over cultural preservation rank second in the discourse. Approximately 20% of the conversation emphasizes fears that an influx of foreign talent will dilute American cultural values and traditions.

Critics invoke a perceived erosion of national identity, framing all immigration, including for skilled labor, as a challenge to cultural cohesion. This perspective ties closely to anxieties over the rapid demographic and cultural shifts in local communities, particularly among those who feel excluded from the economic benefits that proponents claim immigration brings.

While supporters of skilled immigration celebrate the diversity and perspectives it offers, critics highlight a perceived imbalance. They say a push for immigration reforms overlooks the broader implications for cultural assimilation and the preservation of shared values.

Honeybadger throws down hard this Morning! pic.twitter.com/da2vOj4Kye

— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) December 28, 2024

Skepticism of Institutions and Elites

Underlying these economic and cultural concerns is a strong skepticism toward the motivations of institutional and elite proponents of skilled immigration. This theme, reflected in roughly 30% of the discourse, positions figures like Musk and Ramaswamy as detached from the struggles of everyday Americans. Voters question whether their advocacy stems from America-First values or self-serving business interests.

Americans also critique the integrity of the immigration system itself, with many expressing doubts about the fairness and effectiveness of visa programs. Stories of fraud, abuse, and corporate exploitation further fuel distrust, reinforcing the belief that the system disproportionately benefits wealthy elites while neglecting the average American worker.

The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.

Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024

Emerging Nuances

Despite the polarizing nature of the conversation, some discussions offer nuanced perspectives, advocating for balanced reforms. These voices suggest focusing on upskilling the domestic workforce to address labor shortages, rather than relying solely on foreign talent. Others propose revisiting existing visa frameworks to ensure they serve both economic and social interests.

While these nuanced discussions represent a smaller portion of the discourse, they highlight a willingness to explore pragmatic solutions that bridge economic pragmatism with cultural preservation.

Conversations about offshoring white-collar jobs reveal concerns about economic shifts and a deeper reckoning with cultural identity, political accountability, and changing work in America.

MIG Reports analysis shows jobs-centric discussions and cultural observations permeate American thought and concern. Workers feel anxiety, frustration, and occasional resilience over what Americans are losing or fear losing—stable livelihoods, national pride, and a sense of control over their futures.

Anxiety and Adaptation

In discussions about jobs and American values, economic anxiety is a dominant theme.

• Jobs: 65% of comments express fear about job security and heightened awareness of eroding employment stability.
• American Values: 25% of these discussions are also anxious, placing fears in the broader context of job and economic pressures on American life.

The overlap between job discussions and American life and culture overlap in the idea that economic displacement is not merely a financial concern but a symbolic loss of upward mobility and stability—the American dream.

Adaptation emerges as a subtle yet significant counterpoint to anxiety. Jobs-centric discussions highlight American workers becoming resilient with retraining or exploring new opportunities in the face of inevitable economic shifts. This adaptive mindset contrasts with discussions about American values, where resignation—20% of the comments—forces people to accept globalization and displacement as unavoidable.

Cultural Identity and Economic Sovereignty

Perspectives diverge sharply in cultural narratives about the U.S. workforce.

• Jobs: These discussions touch on the erosion of cultural identity, with 30% linking job loss to a decline in the American dream. Offshoring and layoffs are viewed as an economic blow and a loss of what white-collar jobs once represented—stability, prestige, and self-reliance.
• American Values: These conversations frame cultural erosion as a technical failure of economic systems to safeguard workers. This perspective sidesteps cultural sentimentality in favor of labor-centric calls for reform.

Since the pandemic, job postings for physicians and physical therapists have surged more than 80%, while those for software developers, data analysts, data scientists, and IT operations have declined by 20% or more, per BI.

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) November 26, 2024

Resentment Towards Power Structures

• Jobs: Blame is cast beyond culture to include political leadership. Around 25% of these discussions revolve around perceived government failures to protect American jobs. This fuels frustration at both corporate and government institutions.
• American Values: 30% of this discussion voices anger at corporations for prioritizing profit margins over employees.

Anxiety About Globalization

Speculative language permeates both narratives, amplifying the uncertainty surrounding job offshoring. There is both fear of future instability and speculations predicting economic trajectories.

Both sets of discussion emphasize this speculative tone, embedding it within anxieties about systemic failure. Speculative language, in tandem with frustration, paints a tapestry of concerns about global competition, its inevitability, and what it means for national sovereignty.

Contrasts and Commonalities

Worries about job security and changing American work culture show a population grappling with the future. A shifting landscape where economic sovereignty and national identity feel increasingly out of reach causes many to worry.

• Jobs: Themes expand the work lens for technology, emphasize cultural identity and adaptive strategies, sharply critique political leadership.
• American Values: Themes discuss offshoring as an economic trend, resentment and resignation, focus on corporate greed and the need for stronger worker protections.

The October 2024 jobs report only inflames concerns about the economy as a central election issue. The report, which revealed only 12,000 jobs added, fell drastically short of the 100,000 expected. This also comes after multiple reports were revised down, including nearly one million from April last year to March of this year.

The biggest story of the week was the jobs report:

October: 12k new jobs when 100k expected. Job growth negative if govt excluded.

September: 254k revised down to 223k (-31k).

August: 159k revised down to 78k (-81k).

Instead they got us focused on a fake poll.

— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) November 4, 2024

Many also point out that what little growth there is, comes from government job growth and foreign-born worker growth. The impact of immigration on employment continues to anger Americans who struggle every day to pay their bills.

This is why so many Americans could give 2 💩 about “celebrity endorsements.”

“How dare you, get on TV and tell me who is the morally superior candidate? When’s the last time you had to put back socks at Walmart, because you can’t afford to buy them for yourself and your… https://t.co/toKZYWVcJt pic.twitter.com/j9lbDd0ZPB

— Allison Dyer (@3rdGener) November 4, 2024

Election Implications and Future Projections

The current economic situation places job growth and employment policies at the forefront of the electoral landscape. As job data continues to underperform, voters want leadership that will practically improve their lives.

Given strong disapproval among Independents and center-right voters, the jobs report likely pushes people vote for Trump. Many who are in essential swing states appear ready to shift support away from Harris and pull the lever for Republicans.

• Swing Voters and Independents: Approximately 60% of swing voters are voicing frustration with the administration’s job creation record.
• Calls for a Change: A majority of Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. They want private-sector-driven policies over government expansion.
• MIG Reports Data: When the Oct. jobs report was released, discussion volume spiked while sentiment dropped from 46% to 40%.

Disillusionment with Job Growth

October’s weak job creation figure of 12,000—a substantial drop from expectations—causes anger and disappointment. Compounding the issue, job data for previous months is consistently revised downward, with September's jobs adjusted from 254,000 to 223,000 and August’s from 159,000 to 78,000.

These ever-weakening numbers drive deflated emotions about the economy under Biden-Harris, where “Bidenomics” is often cited as to blame.

Top Discussion Points

• Dismal Numbers: Only 12,000 new jobs were created in October, marking the lowest monthly growth since 2020.
• Private Sector Decline: Excluding government jobs, job growth was negative, intensifying frustrations at the Democratic focus on expanding public sector roles.
• Manufacturing Losses: October saw a loss of 46,000 manufacturing jobs, a statistic voters interpret as a sign of economic decline rather than growth.

Voters widely view these trends as indicative of a stalled economy, with many drawing contrasts to the “Trump boom” years. They say job creation was stronger and more favorably distributed across private sectors.

Many also complain that, even when they have work and increasing pay, their quality of life is decreasing because of inflation. This disappointment and desperation are driving people to decry the last four years—a point which the Harris campaign is forced to embrace.

Tim Walz is right. We can’t afford four more years of this! pic.twitter.com/SP9NPUmSeE

— TheLizVariant (@TheLizVariant) September 29, 2024

Government vs. Private Sector Job Growth

Americans are particularly angry about the makeup of job growth. Government employment overwhelmingly accounts for the pitiable growth numbers, which many see as unsustainable and “non-productive.” Voters say expanding government jobs does not stimulate the economy or boost GDP, which they view as the true engine of economic resilience.

The contrast in campaign platforms also becomes stark as Harris’s flagship economic contribution is more government workers while Trump has promised to appoint Elon Musk to decimate government bloat in a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Who else thinks Elon Musk should cut 80% of the Government Jobs when Trump is Elected ? pic.twitter.com/Kcyi9t97fk

— Marjorie Taylor Greene Press Release (Parody) (@MTGrepp) October 19, 2024

Top Discussion Points

• Government Dependence: Most new jobs are government, a fact voters feel props up employment numbers without improving economic conditions.
• Private Sector Struggles: With manufacturing and other private industries shedding jobs, voters feel job creation is artificial, lacking the dynamism required for sustainable growth.

For many, this trend signals an economy increasingly dependent on government intervention. Voters worry continuing in this direction will stifle private sector vitality and limit opportunities for recovery, ultimately worsening quality of life.

Immigration and Job Competition

The issue of immigration adds to voter ire. More and more voters believe lack of border control contributes directly to job disadvantages for American citizens. They say prioritizing employment opportunities for American-born workers should be a top focus, rather than policies that increase labor market competition.

Top Discussion Points

• Foreign-Born Workers: Many of the jobs added have gone to foreign-born workers, resulting in a net loss for American-born workers.
• American First: There is a strong sentiment that labor efforts should focus on hiring American citizens first to stabilize the job market for citizens.

Americans increasingly see poor border policies as a job competition issue but also emblematic widespread economic mismanagement. As the workforce grows through immigration, many worry American workers will bear the brunt of stagnant job growth.

Ideological and Political Reactions

Despite the dismal economic signals brought on by the Biden-Harris administration, there are still clear partisan divides. For conservatives, Democratic policies are synonymous with heavy-handed government control, tax hikes, and regulatory expansion.

Voters who lean right overwhelmingly see the solution as returning to the economic policies of the Trump era. They want American worker jobs, tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced reliance on government roles. Many also support Trump’s tariffs plan.

Top Discussion Points

• Free-Market Advocacy: Americans want private-sector job creation through deregulation and minimal government intervention.
• Economy Concerns: Fears about inflation, increased taxes, and a lack of opportunities have driven some Democrats and Independents toward Trump.

Disillusionment is not confined to conservatives and MAGA voters. Traditional Democratic voters and many Independents are voicing dissatisfaction. Concerns over Harris’s role in worsening inflation, combined with poor job reports, lead some former Democratic supporters to reconsider their loyalties.

Donald Trump’s recent proposal to “staple a green card to every diploma” for graduates caused discussion within his base. The policy, which aims to retain skilled international graduates in the U.S. workforce, clashes with ongoing debates about immigration, the economy, and job competition.

Sentiment trends, potential voter impact, and deeper implications of this policy vary across Trump’s core base, Independents, and crossover voters. Analysis of voter discussions reveals the potential impact of this proposal on the election.

Summary of Findings

• 65-80% of Trump’s base endorses the policy for its economic benefits.
• 40-58% of Independents express cautious support but remain skeptical about job competition.
• At least half of crossover voters criticize the policy as politically motivated and say they would be less likely to vote.
• 10-15% of the base say this policy would increase their likelihood to vote
• 5-15% of Independents say it could increase their likelihood to vote.

Trump’s Core Base

The MAGA base is largely enthusiastic about the green card proposal. The policy resonates with those who see it as an economically sound solution to fill gaps in the American workforce. They appreciate that the policy focuses on retaining skilled talent, particularly in tech and innovation sectors, aligning with the economic nationalism that Trump has emphasized throughout his campaigns.

Comments from Trump’s base reveal a clear endorsement of the policy as beneficial to American economic growth. Voters feel Trump is prioritizing the U.S. workforce and addressing real labor shortages. However, around 20-30% are concerned about potential job competition, worrying the policy could lead to higher competition for American workers—particularly in lower-skilled sectors.

Independents

Independents are divided, with around half cautiously supporting it. These voters appreciate the focus on retaining high-skilled graduates, seeing it as a practical move to bolster economic growth and innovation in the U.S. However, many independents remain wary of Trump’s broader immigration policies and question the long-term impact of such a proposal on job competition.

The skepticism of this group stems from concerns about how the policy may affect the job market for American workers. Some view the proposal as a necessary economic measure, while others express doubt about its implementation and potential unintended consequences.

Crossover Voters

Crossover voters, or moderates, are overwhelmingly negative about the green card proposal. This group, which traditionally leans Democratic, views the policy as politically motivated.

For many, the proposal feels like an electoral ploy rather than a genuine attempt at reform, leading them to further distrust Trump’s intentions. However, there is a possibility this dialogue stems from anti-Trump voters who are reacting to these discussions merely to oppose any Trump policy as they normally would.

The dominant concern among this demographic is that the proposal will exacerbate existing immigration issues without addressing deeper systemic problems. Many see it as another example of Trump’s divisive approach to politics, which alienates them further. This opposition is likely to drive turnout against Trump, with crossover voters potentially mobilizing to vote for an alternative candidate.

Turnout Implications

The overall voter turnout trends suggest Trump’s green card proposal may energize his base. Supporters feel empowered by the economic and nationalist rhetoric with all his economic policies and are likely to engage more deeply in local campaigns.

However, for Independents, the policy yields mixed results, potentially driving modest gains in turnout among those who prioritize economic growth but failing to inspire more skeptical individuals. Crossover voters, on the other hand, show strong opposition.