A massive store dedicated to President Donald Trump merchandise and other MAGA products is closing, and it’s because even in the depths of a deep red state, fans don’t like it that much anymore. Slate recently visited the Trump Superstore outside Knoxville, Tennessee, and found everything on sale for 50% off or more as the store prepares to close. “We’re not busy anymore,” one employee told Slate. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported last month that the store would close in part because its owner was moving to Florida. But owner Bill Hays laughed about it. “The girl who reported that didn’t know what she was talking about,” Hays told Slate, adding that she’s not retiring or moving. “I don’t think he meant we would close because of lack of business, but that’s why we closed.” The Trump Superstore, seen via Google Maps. An employee named Dan was even more direct, telling Slate that Trump “is really waning, waning, waning.” When asked if he was referring to Trump’s health or his popularity, Dan said the latter. “You can see that more and more Republicans are unhappy with their living situation,” Dan said. “People are really saying, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to do a full load of shopping or charge my electric bill with a credit card this month.’” Trump’s overall approval rating has plummeted to historic lows, and affordability is a key reason. His approval rating on affordability specifically is now 43 percentage points underwater, according to The Economist’s poll tracker. Even in Tennessee, where Trump once enjoyed massive popularity, his numbers are falling: Trump entered office with his approval rating 24 percentage points above water. Now, the latest polls show his approval at 47% and his disapproval at 45% in the state, just 2 percentage points above water, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Read the full report here.
