Early red flags on Trump’s agenda, immigration and economic messaging

BY PAUL JUNOR

The media and marketing company “My Code” has been at the forefront of providing timely and relevant information to its diverse clients.

My Code was founded in 2015 with the mission, “To create a future for media and advertising where everyone is authentically committed to: preserving, investing in, and amplifying the most diverse media brands and storytellers.” They work with many well-known brands to foster positive and healthy relationships with: Hispanics, Black, AANHPI, and LGBTQIA + consumers. They are majority-owned by Ariel Alternatics, LLC’s Project and reach two-third of the measurable multicultural audience online in the U.S.

On Tuesday, April 8^th, 2025, My Code issued a press release, which revealed data from a survey of 3,200 voters from diverse groups regarding their responses to a range of issues as Americans anticipate the first 100 days of the Trump administration.

The press release states that the responses reflect the results of a comprehensive new poll that captures how multicultural voters are reacting to the administration’s early moves-including policy rollouts, economic messaging and key leadership figures. These findings provide a significant snapshot of underlying factors that are influencing and impacting: political, interpretation, trust, and turnout.

“The trend we’re tracking reflect low trust, high concern, and a growing sense that the government is moving in a direction that doesn’t reflect their lived experiences or values.”

There are several categories that are identified in the survey which include:

Presidential approval ratings

• 36% for President Donald Trump
• 31% for Vice President JD Vance
• 69% of multicultural Americans view Elon Musk as a national security threat
• 48% disapprove of his role in government work

Tariffs and economic concerns

• Nearly one-third (32%) of multicultural voters could not define the term
• Tariffs are frequently presented as a way to “protect” American jobs, yet voters report feeling the pinch in other ways

Immigration and community impact

• 36% of multicultural Americans report knowing someone already affected by the administration immigration policies
• It rises to 43% among Hispanic respondents, and 45% among LGBTQ1A + respondents

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

• 65% of multicultural voters were unable to correctly define DEI
• Confusion is particularly high among Republican respondents but improves when DEI is framed around concrete outcomes like anti-discrimination protections, or school and workplace representation
• The data suggests public opposition may be driven most by lack of clarity and by ideology

Misinformation and misunderstanding

A broad range of confusion around core policy concepts is affecting how multicultural voters perceive government action, and who they trust to deliver accurate information:

• 65% could not correctly define DEI
• 32% misidentified tariffs
• 51% could not identify what DOGE is, or does
• 39% gave incorrect information about the start of the war in Ukraine
• 14% wrongly believe that recent federal budget cuts have lowered the costs of groceries and rent

The press release reveals that there is a high level of uncertainty and consternation. It notes, “Despite these challenges, voter interest is high. Multicultural Americans are enraged but they’re navigating high levels of confusion, misalignment between political rhetoric, and lived experience, and a digital ecosystem filled with conflicting narratives.”

Junelle Cavero Harnal, Head of Politics at My Code responds to the findings from the survey in the press release. She states, “Multicultural voters are sounding the alarm early in this administration. This new data makes clear that these communities remain deeply engaged and deeply concerned as the Trump administration races to implement sweeping changes. The trend we’re tracking (rising misinformation, polarized reactions to figures like Elon Musk, and shifting issue priorities) reflect low trust, high concern, and a growing sense that the government is moving in a direction that doesn’t reflect their lived experiences or values.”

She elaborates further about what multicultural voters are currently experiencing in their daily lives. She notes, “The confusion we’re seeing around core concepts like DEI and tariffs show just how vulnerable the public is to weaponize information – especially when the policies directly affect their paychecks and grocery bills. How do these voters interpret the first 100 days?”

Anyone interested in knowing about the work of “My Code “can check: https://mycodemedia.com/about