We asked, you answered: Has your outlook on the future changed—for better or worse—since Donald Trump returned to the White House?

Our Question of the Week feature appears in the Keystone newsletter. Subscribe here.

In light of last weekend’s “No Kings” demonstrations, and with the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump being elected to a second term as president approaching, we asked our newsletter readers: Has your outlook on the future changed—for better or worse—since Donald Trump returned to the White House?

Here’s what they had to say (Answers have been edited for length and clarity):

“I fear for this country. The division and hate is escalating. However, after marching (in the ‘No Kings’ march) on Saturday, it renewed my faith. We fought for rights and unity in the past and we can do it again. I met such nice people on the march. It gave me hope again.”

— Cheryl M., The Poconos

“For the better!”

— Terri M., Jim Thorpe

“I’m feeling very stressed by Trump’s disregard for everyday Americans. He clearly is blind to the struggles we face every day to put food on the table, gas in our cars to get to work, and get children the basic healthcare they need and deserve. I cannot wait for the midterms so we can send a message to the world that we will not be forgotten.”

— Carol F. Thorndale

“I could not be more thrilled with President Trump and his cabinet. They strive for peace in our country and around the world. Protecting and prioritizing US citizens, while still honoring free speech and liberty. There is no such thing as perfect, but our current administration is trying to form policies to get us closer.”

— Barb, Erie

“I have concerns that there are not enough checks and balances going on with the Executive branch. The ‘No Kings’ demonstrations give me hope that many others feel the same way.”

— Sandy, Athens

“I expected it to be bad but it has been much worse than expected. I hear people saying ‘If only I knew.’ People did not read Project 2025 before they voted. Everything is being followed as it was written.”

— Joyce, Penn Hills

“We knew from the beginning that Trump was a fascist. Our opinion of him has not changed. The Republicans in Congress are a disappointment as they have relinquished their power to him. He is not a king!”

— Beth D., Centre County

“I fully support President Trump. He is fulfilling the platform l voted for, as a former Democrat of 40+ years who voted for Barack the first term.”

— Regina P. Warren

“I feel like I’m living in another country. Trump does whatever he wants without going through Congress. What happened to our system of checks and balances? Do we have free speech? Trump is trying to control what we see on TV and what our press is allowed to report. Isn’t this what happens in Russia? This $250 million ballroom is supposedly funded by private donations. Let’s see a list of donors and how much they donated. Are there foreign countries on that list?”

— Sandy, Lester

“Life not only is worse, but now the future looks devastating. This is coming from a second-generation veteran.”

— Tonya, State College

“It’s been an overwhelming change for the better for my family and me. It feels like America is finally waking up after drifting for years, losing touch with the values that made us strong. We were on the edge with morals slipping, families stretched thin, and the American dream buried under red tape. Then Trump came in like a wrecking ball. He is cutting regulations, pushing for energy independence, ending endless wars, securing the border, and making our communities safer. He stands up to global bullies and doesn’t play political games. That no-BS approach really resonates with people like me, who are sick and tired of empty promises. I’ve always been proud to be American, regardless of who’s in office, but that pride feels stronger now. Trump 2.0 brought back a sense of direction and strength. Say what you want about the guy, but he delivers, he means what he says, and he fights for ‘We the People.’ America is BACK!!!” 

— Dave, Erie 

“The country is definitely worse with the Trump regime. He took an oath to uphold the Constitution and yet he wants to take away our rights. I am hopeful that the people will rebel and get him out of office and that his puppets will see that he is hurting our once beautiful republic.” 

— Kathy, Downingtown

“A good leader will surround himself with intelligent people who are not afraid to offer their opinions to the leader. All Trump wants is loyalty. The unqualified cabinet leaders scare me. We need to remove him from office.”

— Larry, Sinking Spring

“I can’t agree more with Dave from Erie (who I don’t know). You can tell where people get their news by the way they feel about President Trump. Legacy news has led America down the wrong path for too long. Unfortunately, the radical left has taken over the Democrat party. Just look at Zohran Mamdani from NYC.”

— Barb, Erie

“Much worse. Hope we survive until he is replaced. He acts juvenile. He is vindictive against people he dislikes, wants $230 million from the DOJ, is knocking down the East Wing to build a ballroom without getting authorization, and using AI to act like a knucklehead.”

— Dan, Millville

“I despair every day over how Trump is destroying our democracy and our country. Congress makes no effort to restrain him and the only bulwark against his creeping authoritarianism has been the courts, which he has actively been trying to dismantle or co-opt.”

— Danielle, Butler

“I think our future is much brighter with Donald Trump as our president. Other countries respect us instead of laughing at us. He has done amazing things since taking office. The Democrats are so selfish and aren’t even paying attention to the good he has done.”

— Becky H., Pa.