WASHINGTON — For years, Donald J. Trump’s political appeal rested on a simple promise: that he understood the economic anxieties of ordinary Americans and would use his deal-making instincts to lower costs, raise wages and restore a sense of stability. Now, less than a year into his return to office, a growing number of people who supported him say that promise feels broken.

In interviews, focus groups and voter testimonials circulating across media platforms, former Trump supporters describe a striking shift from confidence to regret. Many say they voted with the expectation that inflation would fall quickly and that household expenses — groceries, rent, gas and health care — would become more manageable. Instead, they report feeling squeezed harder than before.

Asked in one public forum whether they believed Mr. Trump had made fighting inflation a top priority during his first months back in office, not a single participant raised a hand.

“It’s not about dunking on people who regret their vote,” said one political analyst who has been tracking voter sentiment. “It’s about understanding why they feel misled.”

Several voters pointed to what they described as a disconnect between the president’s rhetoric and their daily reality. Mr. Trump has repeatedly claimed that prices are stable and that the economy is performing “better than ever.” Some voters say those statements feel surreal.

“He said grocery prices haven’t gone up,” said one former supporter. “That alone shows he’s out of touch. It’s delusional.”

Others were more forgiving, suggesting that inflation was only one issue among many competing priorities. But even those voices often conceded that the economic relief they were promised had not materialized.

“I expected things to become more affordable,” said a voter from the Midwest. “Instead, it did the exact opposite.”

Economic frustration has been compounded, critics say, by policy choices that have driven up costs. Mr. Trump’s renewed reliance on tariffs — a hallmark of his earlier presidency — has raised prices for imported goods and strained small businesses that rely on global supply chains. For families, the effects show up in higher prices at checkout counters and shrinking household budgets.

The impact has been particularly acute for parents. According to recent estimates cited by economists, the cost of raising a young child has risen sharply over the past two years, far outpacing wage growth. Child care, health care and food costs have all climbed, putting pressure on families who were drawn to Mr. Trump’s “family values” messaging during the campaign.

“I feel embarrassed,” said Emily Anderson of Duluth, Minn., who has called her vote for Mr. Trump “the biggest mistake of my life.” She said she had expected economic relief but instead saw increased costs and cuts to social programs, including Medicaid. “I feel stupid, guilty and regretful,” she said.

Her concerns extend beyond economics. Ms. Anderson said she was alarmed by the administration’s focus on immigration enforcement and what she described as “flashy, symbolic moves” that did little to help families struggling to pay their bills.

Other demographic groups that once formed key pillars of Mr. Trump’s coalition are expressing similar doubts. Young voters who believed his business background would translate into job growth say the labor market feels bleak. Small-business owners report being squeezed by tariffs and uncertainty. Farmers have again found themselves caught in the crossfire of trade disputes.

Even among Latino voters — a group Mr. Trump made inroads with during the election — regret is emerging. George and Esmeralda, who voted for Mr. Trump in 2020 and again in 2024, said they were shocked after being stopped and questioned by Border Patrol agents, despite being longtime U.S. residents.

“I feel shame, guilt and anger,” George said. “I’ve lived here 50 years. I’ve never been treated like this.”

Organizations that track Latino civic engagement estimate that roughly one in three Latino voters who supported Mr. Trump now regret that decision, citing aggressive enforcement policies that they say go far beyond targeting violent crime.

Against this backdrop, Mr. Trump has offered a sharply different assessment. Asked to grade his economic performance, he awarded himself an “A-plus-plus-plus,” dismissing concerns about rising costs and urging Americans not to be “dramatic.”

For voters struggling to cover rent, juggle multiple jobs or absorb soaring grocery bills, that response has only deepened the sense of alienation.

“He doesn’t live in the same reality,” said one former supporter. “He’s a billionaire. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to choose between rent and medicine.”

Polling suggests the dissatisfaction is widespread. A recent Fox News survey found that more than three-quarters of voters now view the economy negatively — a higher share than at the end of the Biden administration. In recent elections, some traditionally Republican areas have shown signs of shifting toward Democrats, driven in part by economic discontent.

For many voters who say they feel “played,” the regret is personal and painful. But some see it as a turning point.

“It’s okay to admit you were wrong,” one former Trump voter said. “What matters is whether leaders are actually fighting for you.”

As prices remain high and economic anxiety deepens, that question — who is truly fighting for the middle class — is likely to shape the political landscape in the months ahead.