Many supporters of former President Donald Trump may find themselves regretting their votes if he were to win again, according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman in a New York Times piece. Krugman argues that while Trump's proposals might initially appeal to his base, they will ultimately have detrimental effects on their financial situations as much as anyone else’s. A central example emphasized by Krugman is Trump's vow to impose hefty new tariffs on imported consumer goods, a move economists predict would spell trouble for price stability and economic growth. This situation is akin to the famous meme about a woman shocked that leopards she supported devoured her face.

Krugman highlights that Trump's proposed tariffs would adversely affect the majority of Americans, with only the wealthy few potentially offsetting the impacts through tax cuts. Trump contends that the import taxes, effectively a type of sales tax, won't burden American consumers; however, corporations are already signaling upcoming price hikes, according to The Washington Post. Yet, this could be just the commencement of hardships under a Trump administration. Trump has also committed to appointing tech magnate Elon Musk to lead a commission aiming to cut $2 trillion in what he calls redundant federal spending.

However, such a drastic reduction would likely necessitate significant cuts to pivotal programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Krugman points out Musk’s lack of understanding about federal spending and suggests a renewed Trump presidency would inflict substantial hardship on many Americans, likely for an extended period. Moreover, Trump's agenda isn't limited to fiscal policy changes. With House Speaker Mike Johnson hinting at attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, stress and instability could revisit millions of Americans, reminiscent of the 2017 turmoil when Trump previously endeavored to undermine the healthcare law.

On the flip side, under the Biden-Harris administration, according to Krugman, America's economy has performed robustly, outpacing other wealthy nations' growth and witnessing a decline in inflation rates to normal levels. Economists largely agree that a Trump presidency would likely deteriorate the economic landscape, leading to higher inflation rates compared to a Harris presidency. In closing, Krugman suggests that Trump voters should brace themselves for potential remorse and, crucially, might question if the 2028 election will provide an opportunity to rectify past decisions and hold him accountable.