The Focus Group Podcast S6 Ep24: Two Qual Researchers Walk Into a Bar (with Margie Omero)
Feb 14, 2026
Margie O'Meara, principal at GBAO and frequent New York Times contributor on voter focus groups, breaks down why some Trump supporters are disillusioned. She and Sarah explore how focus-group techniques surface negativity, the role of economy and Epstein files in eroding trust, shifting Latino and Texas Democratic moods, and what voters crave from candidates: empathy and competence.
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Regret Is Broad And Growing
- 'Trump Regretters' have grown to roughly 14–15% of Trump voters and are increasingly open about why.
- Their disappointment spans demeanor, priorities, ICE, the economy, tariffs, and Epstein, not one single issue.
Voters Saying 'I Was Duped'
- A participant said, 'I was duped' and described crying over restaurant coworkers deported under ICE enforcement.
- Other regretters used projective exercises to confess being influenced by online male-centric communities.
Affordability Trumps Rhetoric
- Economic sentiment, especially cost-of-living, drives forgiveness for a leader's behavior more than abstract economy metrics.
- Voters resent mismatched priorities when a president appears focused on immigration while affordability worsens.