Iowa farmers are struggling in the face of Trump’s economy, but many say they still support him

A recent survey reflects some of the unease felt by farmers. A Fox News survey this month found that 68% of white rural voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, compared to 32% who approved. Last January, white rural voters approved of his economic management 52% to 47%.

In a prepared statement, White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly said, “Farmers have suffered for years under Joe Biden, who increased the U.S. trade deficit to more than $1.2 trillion, raised input costs, and pushed to revive DEI farm policies. In contrast, President Trump is helping our agriculture industry by negotiating new trade deals, lowering input costs, strengthening the farm safety net, doubling down on the farm death tax, ending taxes on rural home loan interest, creating rural opportunity zones, and more.”

Trump has cultivated farmers on both his terms, doling out direct aid and trying to repair relations with countries that buy their crops, notably China. He does not hesitate to remind farmers of what he describes as his largesse.

He invited hundreds of farmers and ranchers to the White House in March. Speaking from a balcony, with a golden tractor below him, he assured the gathering that they “once again have a true friend and champion in the Oval Office.”

Farmers listen to President Donald Trump speak from the Truman Balcony during the White House event on March 27.Alex Wong/Getty Images

He pointed to a bill he signed last year that allows farmers to write off 100 percent of the cost of new equipment, as well as a financial aid program intended to help them through tough economic times.

“I just gave you $12 billion,” he said.

“You think Biden would have done that? he said.

Mueller was at the event that day, invited as president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. He said that when he left the White House grounds, he heard ironic comments from farmers that surprised him, such as: “It’s funny, I remember making money during the Biden administration.” »

Mark Mueller has faced skyrocketing fertilizer prices since the start of the Iran war. Peter Nicholas/NBC News

Chad Hart, an agricultural markets specialist at Iowa State University, said 2021 and 2022, the first half of Biden’s term, were “some of the best years U.S. agriculture has seen in terms of net farm income.”

Most of the Iowa farmers who spoke to NBC News don’t regret supporting Trump. When he speaks, he is raw and unfiltered and nothing like a more conventional politician, they said. That’s what they like about him.

“He tells it like it is,” said Rehder, who voted for Trump in all three presidential elections. “You might not like it, and you might not agree with it, but he says it how he wants it. I’m not saying I always agree with him, but he doesn’t beat around the bush.”

Steve Rehder and Corey, Doug and Don Winterfeld. Peter Nicholas/NBC News

Still, the $12 billion payment remains a sore point. Government subsidies won’t solve the systemic problems farmers face, nor will quick cash ultimately make much of a difference, they said. On the contrary, this money makes it more difficult to negotiate better deals with suppliers, who know full well that farmers have just received a government check and want a piece of it.

“I look at these programs where the government continues to want to write checks to farmers, and to me it’s more drugs that are making us sick,” said Elliott Henderson, who farms in northeast Iowa. “I have 10 people standing in line who think this money is theirs, whether it’s the equipment manufacturer selling me more parts for my tractors, the seed producer, or my landlords. I can never keep that money.”

Swanson said, “Unfortunately, the way we’ve been able to sort of survive is through reliance on government payments, and that’s not how farmers want to operate. We want to find our income in the market, and that means we need domestic markets, we need export markets, we need new technology.”

As gloomy as the market may seem, many farmers said they are not about to turn against Trump. However, some are not certain that his agricultural policy will succeed.

“I hope to God he follows through,” Jason Orr, 46, an Iowa farmer, said of Trump. Peter Nicholas/NBC News

Has Trump’s presidency been good for farmers? asked NBC News of Orr, who also voted for Trump three times.

He stopped for a few seconds.

“The jury is still out on this,” he said, sitting among the tractors and implements in his farm shed.

“He started something during his first presidency that wasn’t finished. And I hope to God he follows through by the end of this one,” Orr added.

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