Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. In 2016, what percent of lower income voters cast a ballot for Donald J. Trump in the Iowa caucuses?

2. In 2024, what percent of lower income voters cast a ballot for Donald J. Trump in the Iowa caucuses?

3. Describe the changes between 2016 and 2024 in Iowa Trump support based on education.

4. Overall, in 2024, in all areas, what percent of Iowa caucus goers voted for Trump?

5. Describe the overall change in support for Trump in Iowa between 2016 and 2024.

6. In 2016 candidate Trump did NOT win the Iowa caucuses, but he went on to win the Republican presidential nomination and then defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton in the general election. Based on the change in Trump support in Iowa between 2016 and 2024, what prediction would you make about the general election outcome against President Joseph Biden?

7. Some commentators have noted that only 14% of registered Republicans turned out for the Iowa Caucuses this week. That means just 7% voted for Trump while 7% voted for someone else. Explain whether that low voter turnout will have any impact on the November 5, 2024 presidential election, and what it says about the level of participation in American democracy.

8. Despite the fact that Donald Trump has been indicted multiple times by federal and state grand juries and is currently on trial in a number of jurisdictions, and has been removed from the ballot of several states because of his support of the January 6th insurrection; his popularity seems to grow within the Republican Party. In fact, in this week’s caucus, a huge margin of Iowan Republicans voted for Trump (more than in years past). Do you think Trump’s legal woes will impact independent and Democratic voters?

9. What does the increase in support for Donald Trump say about the mood of the nation and the rest of the 2024 presidential campaign?

10. Based on the first Trump presidency, and his 2024 presidential campaign, what do you imagine a second Trump presidency would be like?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Take 120 seconds to register to vote online. You don’t even need to be 18 yet, and it takes less than three minutes.

Get Creative

What would a second Trump presidency be like? Imagine and describe a day in the life under a second Trump Administration.

Learning Extension