Rhode Island

Nearly 60 percent of RI residents disapprove of Trump’s performance, tariffs, and Ukraine

Published

2 months ago

March 29, 2025

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Nearly 60 percent of RI residents disapprove of Trump’s performance, tariffs, and Ukraine

The UNH poll found that 59% of Rhode Island residents disapprove of Trump’s performance, while 40% approve.
61% of Rhode Island residents disapprove of how Trump has handled the conflict in Ukraine, and 60% disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs overall.
61% of Rhode Island residents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, and 58% disapprove of his use of tariffs
Trump’s action on transgender female athletes is the only policy surveyed that most Rhode Island residents agree with.

Most Rhode Island residents disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance, including his handling of the economy and the Ukraine conflict, revealed a new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center.

The poll found that 59% of Rhode Island residents disapprove of Trump’s performance, while 40% approve. That means two months in, his net approval rating among Rhode Islanders is -19%.

Of those who disapprove of Trump’s performance, 21% cite undermining democracy/the Constitution as their most important reason and 9% each said illegal acts and budget or government cuts.

Of those who approve, 27% said handling of immigration, 20% said keeping campaign promises, and 12% said leadership or decisiveness.

There’s a wide partisan gap in his approval, with 94% of Democrats disapproving of his performance and 88% of Republicans approving. Also, 66% of Independents in Rhode Island also approve of Trump.

While Rhode Island residents largely disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs, including the Ukraine conflict and the economy, like tariffs, many do approve of his policy on transgender athletes.

The poll is based on survey responses from 656 Rhode Island residents completed between March 20-24. The margin of error is +/- 3.8%.

Rhode Islanders disapprove of Trump’s handling of Ukraine

About 61% of Rhode Island residents disapprove of how Trump has handled the conflict in Ukraine, and 60% disapprove of his handling of foreign affairs overall.

Trump has pledged to end the war between Russia and Ukraine but has clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, most notably telling him to leave after a meeting in the Oval Office.

In Rhode Island, 78% believe that Russia is responsible for starting the war, and a plurality believe that Russia poses the greatest threat to the U.S. About 78% see Russia as a rival or enemy of the country, including majorities in both parties.

Rhode Islanders disapprove of tariffs and expect a recession

Trump has repeatedly threatened, imposed and then reversed tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Starting April 2, Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on imported passenger vehicles, light trucks and some auto parts.

About 61% of Rhode Island residents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, and 58% disapprove of his use of tariffs.

While nearly all Democrats disapprove of both, 88% of Republicans and 60% of Independents approve of his handling of the economy and 80% and 50% respectively approve of tariffs.

In early March, Trump wouldn’t say whether the U.S. could face a recession this year. With that, 63% of Rhode Island residents believe that a recession is likely in the next 12 months, including 86% of Democrats, 51% of Independents, and 24% of Republicans.

Rhode Islanders agree with transgender sports policy

Trump’s action on transgender student athletes is the only policy surveyed that most Rhode Island residents agree with.

In February, Trump signed an executive order banning transgender student athletes from competing on women’s sports teams. The poll found that 66% of Rhode Island residents agree that transgender students should not be competing in women’s sports.

However, Rhode Islanders are split on whether the federal government or state governments should decide policy on transgender participation in sports. A plurality overall, 44%, said it should be made at the federal level, including 75% of Republicans. But 40% overall, and a plurality (48%) of Democrats said it should be left up to the states.

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Rhode Island

Trump actions could force a recession for colleges, R.I. higher ed leader says – The Boston Globe

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2025

Press Room

Trump actions could force a recession for colleges, R.I. higher ed leader says – The Boston Globe

Brown University is facing the most pressure, with dozens of research grants cancelled and Trump threatening to halt $510 million in funding to the Ivy League college. Egan said all of Rhode Island’s private colleges have faced some level of cuts, and accused Republican leaders of trying to “force a recession on higher education.”

“They’re well on the way to achieving that,” Egan said.

The Trump administration has cut scores of research, particularly involving race and LGBTQ+ people, arguing it amounts to diversity, equity and inclusion and does not serve public health. The cuts include studies seeking to stop the spread of HIV.

The crackdown on DEI, plans to block international student visas, and proposed changes to student aid could all imperil universities, Egan said.

“Clearly there’s a desire to change the way higher education operates,” Egan said. “There will be an opportunity or a chance that great harm will be inflicted on the sector going forward.”

Brown president Christina Paxson has declined interviews about the Trump cuts, citing the uncertainty around future funding. Egan, who lobbies for Brown and the other colleges, said House Republicans’ proposed increase to the endowment tax could cost tens of millions for Brown, on top of the other funding cuts.

Layoffs would be likely if all of the proposed cuts come to fruition, Egan said. A Brown spokesperson said Friday the university has still not received “any demands or formal notification” about the $510 million proposed cut.

“That will harm small businesses, local businesses, local communities, when folks are no longer working and part of the community and part of the economic engine that is higher ed,” Egan said.

Rhode Island’s other colleges do not yet meet the threshold for their endowments to be taxed under the proposal.

Asked about Brown’s high price tag of $92 million a year and a perception that Brown is not contributing enough to Providence, Egan said most students don’t pay the full price tag because of scholarships and aid. He called the $177 million in voluntary payments from the four private colleges in Providence a “phenomenal gift” to the city, considering the universities are tax-exempt as nonprofits.

He said higher education has a major impact on the economy as one of the top employment sectors in the state.

“For those that question the economic impact, you need to go look at some of those local businesses, the pizza shops, the dry cleaners,” Egan said.

Financial woes for New England colleges predate Trump, Egan noted. A lower birthrate in the Northeast compared to other regions of the country means fewer students are turning college-aged each year. Johnson & Wales University recently announced layoffs, citing decreasing enrollment.

In Trump’s spending package, dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” Egan said he is most concerned about proposed cuts to Pell Grant eligibility — which would make it harder for part-time students to receive the college aid — and the cap on the amount of money graduate students can borrow.

The Trump administration has said the loan limits are “reasonable,” and called the Pell changes “critical reforms” to “prioritize students who truly need financial assistance while promoting completion.”

The Pell Grant, started by a US senator from Rhode Island, provides grants to low-income students that don’t need to be paid back.

Egan also noted that international students tend to pay the full price tag for college, unlike American students who can access federal aid, so blocking student visas would further hurt the universities’ bottom line.

“I find it ironic that around the globe we’re the envy of the world in higher education, but yet in our own country, from not only our leaders but the general public, we’re not seen in even a similar or equal light,” Egan said.

Watch the RI PBS Weekly interview in the player above, or listen to an extended version on the RI Report podcast.

Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado.

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Rhode Island

Morning Notes: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to kick off Touro Park Summer Concert Series – What's Up Newp

Published

1 day ago

June 8, 2025

Press Room

Morning Notes: Rhode Island Wind Ensemble to kick off Touro Park Summer Concert Series – What's Up Newp

Good Morning, Newport! Today is Sunday, June 8, the 159th day of 2025. There are 206 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

Get ready for some outdoor music in Newport this summer. Touro Park is kicking off its free concert series today.

The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Robert Franzblau, will start things off at 5 p.m. for the Touro Park Summer Concert Series.

The two-hour show will be at the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Pelham Street.

Our Touro Park Summer Concert Series kicks off on Sunday, June 8, with the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Robert Franzblau.
The concert starts at 5:00pm and is free and open to all. Bring a blanket and have a nice picnic dinner while you enjoy a fantastic evening of music in historic Touro Park.
Stop by our tent before or after the concert and see our Mobile Museum Exhibit on music and the Old Stone Mill.

For more information and the full schedule, visit https://www.historicmusicofnewport.org/events/the-rhode-island-wind-ensemble-at-touro-park-ygx8l.

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

Unwanted student ‘treasures’ help stock largest yard sale on Aquidneck Island
On the Market: A look at 44 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend in Newport County (June 7 – 8)
Provence sur Mer serves up elegant French-inspired hospitality
Mah Jongg tournament to raise funds for Newport Mental Health
Morning Notes: Newport Police seek accreditation renewal, public input invited
Newport native graduates from U.S. Naval Academy
Portsmouth High School celebrates Class of 2025 graduation
Tiverton High School celebrates Class of 2025 graduation
Obituary: Alfaretta Massey
Volpe homers and then forced from game when hit by pitch as Yankees beat Red Sox 9-6

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

Today: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. North wind 6 to 11 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Marine Forecast

Today: NNE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. Areas of fog before 9am. Seas 1 ft or less.
Tonight: NE wind 6 to 9 kt. A slight chance of showers after 1am. Patchy fog between 10pm and 2am. Seas 1 ft or less.
The coastal water temperature is 58 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

Sunrise at 5:11 am. Sunset at 8:18 pm. 15 hours & 6 minutes of sun.
High tide at 6:38 am & 6:59 p.m. Low tide at 12:13 am & 11:45 am.
The lunar phase is a Waxing Gibbous.

Things To Do

Live Music & Entertainment

Newport County Public Meetings

No meetings are scheduled.

Cruise Ship Schedule

Next up on the cruise ship schedule is Volendam on June 10.

Portsmouth Boys Lacrosse clinches first Division 2 State Championship

Patriots overcome weather delays to defeat East Greenwich 15-6 at Brown University

3 hours agoJune 8, 2025

The British Motorcars of New England made a grand display in Bristol

The British Motorcars of New England (BMCNE) made its annual appearance in Bristol this weekend, June 6-7.

3 hours agoJune 8, 2025

Teen dies in tragic building collapse at Portsmouth Graduation Party

Three others seriously injured as front stairwell of Portuguese American Citizens Club gives way; 75 people were inside at the time of the incident

3 hours agoJune 8, 2025

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Rhode Island

Take a look at the ceremony at the Rhode Island State House to showcase Portuguese culture

Published

2 days ago

June 7, 2025

Press Room

Take a look at the ceremony at the Rhode Island State House to showcase Portuguese culture

The State House of Rhode Island welcomed community leaders and the general public on June 6 for a ceremony and reception aimed at showcasing Portuguese culture and the many contributions Portuguese-Americans have made to the Ocean State as part of the Day of Portugal celebration.

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