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Rhode Island
Nearly 60 percent of RI residents disapprove of Trump’s performance, tariffs, and Ukraine
Trump announces 25% tariffs on imported cars
President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts, effective April 3, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing.
Cheddar
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.
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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