Social Media Sentiment Analysis of Finance, Defence, and Healthcare in the USA 

Sentiment Analysis :

Sentiment analysis was conducted on 3,482 social media posts collected from platforms such as Reddit ,NewsAPI, Gnews and NYtimes, focusing on public reactions to Trump’s election campaign and victory. The analysis covered the period from July 1 to November 30, 2024.

The positive sentiment toward Trump in 2024, despite the volatility in unemployment and GDP growth during his first term, can be explained through several key factors, particularly how the public and markets interpreted the long-term effects of his policies and leadership. While the data shows volatility in both unemployment and GDP under Trump, there are several reasons why many still viewed him favorably, particularly in the context of the 2024 election:

1. Pandemic-Induced Economic Volatility:

• Trump’s Presidency: The sharp fluctuations in GDP growth and the spike in unemployment during Trump’s term were largely attributed to the unprecedented economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While these were significant challenges, many people believed that Trump’s administration was effective in managing the initial shock and spearheading the economic reopening.

• Sentiment Analysis Insight: Trump's pro-business stance, tax cuts, and deregulatory policies were credited with helping the economy recover more quickly once the pandemic restrictions began to lift. Despite the volatility, many saw Trump's leadership as a driving force behind the early recovery, particularly in the stock market, which was seen as a sign of economic resilience.

3. Economic Growth Expectations and Future Projections:

• Trump’s Presidency: Even with the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic, there was a belief that Trump's policies—especially his tax cuts, deregulation, and focus on bringing jobs back to the U.S.—would result in strong long-term growth once the immediate challenges were overcome.

• Sentiment Analysis Insight: Trump’s vision of revitalizing American manufacturing and reducing corporate taxes aligned with expectations of future economic prosperity. Many voters and business owners believed that a second term under Trump would lead to sustained growth and job creation, driving positive sentiment in the finance sector.

4. Public Perception of Economic Resilience:

• Trump’s Presidency: The volatility in economic data, particularly during the pandemic, led many to view Trump's leadership as resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges. His push to reopen businesses and his aggressive economic stimulus measures were seen as contributing to the rapid recovery of the economy.

• Sentiment Analysis Insight: Many social media discussions reflected a belief that Trump was capable of managing economic crises effectively. The perception that he could navigate uncertainty and restore the economy to growth helped generate positive sentiment, particularly in the finance sector, which values stability and resilience.

5. Biden's Economic Challenges and Recovery Criticism:

• Biden’s Presidency: While Biden’s administration succeeded in stabilizing the economy and reducing unemployment, some critics pointed to slower GDP growth and inflation as signs that recovery policies under Biden were not as effective as they could have been.

• Sentiment Analysis Insight: Many believed that Biden’s policies, particularly the expansive government spending in the form of recovery packages, were not as effective at stimulating long-term growth as Trump’s pro-business stance. This perception of slower recovery and the challenges of addressing inflation contributed to a less favorable view of Biden, especially among voters who prioritized economic stability and growth.

6. Perception of Policy Effectiveness:

• Trump’s Economic Legacy: Many voters and financial analysts viewed Trump’s tax cuts, deregulation, and business-focused policies as foundational to the recovery, despite the pandemic’s disruptive impact. The positive sentiment reflected an anticipation that Trump would continue these policies and strengthen the U.S. economy in the long term.

• Biden's Economic Legacy: On the other hand, Biden’s policies were seen as more focused on government spending and social welfare, which some in the business community and financial sector viewed as less conducive to rapid economic growth. The higher inflation and the slower recovery from the initial pandemic shock under Biden’s administration led some voters to question the effectiveness of his approach.

Conclusion for Finance Sector:

While the data from unemployment and GDP trends shows volatility under Trump, the sentiment analysis indicates that many viewed Trump as a more favorable candidate for long-term economic prosperity in 2024. This perception was largely shaped by his pro-business policies, such as tax cuts, deregulation, and a focus on job creation, which were expected to result in stronger economic growth once the pandemic-related disruptions were overcome. In contrast, Biden’s more stable but slower economic recovery and concerns over inflation contributed to the view that Trump was the better candidate for driving sustained economic growth and stability.

Sentiment Analysis :

As part of my project analyzing public sentiment towards Donald Trump’s re-election and its implications for the defense sector, I conducted a sentiment analysis on social media posts collected from a total of 3,017 APIs. The data spans a comprehensive period, providing insights into the public's perception of defense policies and leadership under Trump’s administration. 

Despite relatively low positive sentiment, the overall average sentiment score indicates a slight positive tilt. Neutral sentiments dominated, reflecting public uncertainty or mixed opinions about Trump’s defense policies.

1. Trump’s Leadership on National Security: 

Trump’s defense policies were viewed as aggressive and direct, focusing on military readiness and global positioning. Many believed his leadership strengthened the U.S. against rising geopolitical challenges.

• Sentiment Analysis Insight: Posts reflecting positive sentiments credited Trump’s strong defense posture and his efforts to deter foreign adversaries. His “peace through strength” rhetoric resonated with voters concerned about national security.

2. Biden’s Defense Approach:

Biden’s term emphasized alliances, diplomacy, and modernizing the military through technology. While this was praised in some circles, others criticized it as less assertive compared to Trump’s policies.

• Sentiment Analysis Insight: Negative sentiments often stemmed from comparisons with Trump’s more forceful policies, while neutral sentiments reflected a wait-and-see attitude toward Biden’s defense strategies.

Conclusion for the Defense Sector : 

While Trump’s defense spending and policies garnered mixed public sentiment, the analysis shows a slightly positive overall perception in 2024. Many appreciated his focus on military strength, national security, and innovative initiatives like the Space Force. However, significant neutral sentiment reflects uncertainty about the long-term impacts of his aggressive spending and leadership style.

In contrast, Biden’s slower defense spending growth and focus on alliances were seen as stabilizing but less impactful in addressing emerging threats. This contrast contributed to Trump being viewed by some as the stronger candidate for ensuring U.S. military dominance in the coming years.

Sentiment Analysis :

Sentiment analysis was conducted on 4043 social media posts collected from platforms such as Reddit ,NewsAPI, Gnews and NYtimes, focusing on public reactions to Trump’s election campaign and victory. The analysis covered the period from July 1 to November 30, 2024.

Conclusion for the Healthcare Sector

1. Healthcare Employment Under Trump: 

• The Trump administration emphasized deregulation, fostering private-sector growth, and reducing bureaucratic barriers in healthcare. Policies such as the expansion of association health plans and the rollback of Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates provided businesses with greater flexibility, indirectly supporting employment stability in healthcare. 

• Sectors like Ambulatory Health Care Services and Social Assistance experienced higher overall employment during his term, reflecting the administration’s focus on economic growth as a foundation for workforce resilience.

•  Positive sentiments highlighted Trump’s ability to maintain employment across critical healthcare sectors, crediting his pro-business policies for creating a stable job market. However, concerns about the long-term impact of deregulation on public health and safety tempered some of this approval.
  
  

2. Healthcare Employment Under Biden : 

• Biden’s administration prioritized expanding Medicaid, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and increasing federal funding for public health initiatives. These reforms directly addressed healthcare access disparities and emphasized equity-focused policies. Employment growth was particularly strong in Nursing and Residential Care Facilities and Social Assistance, driven by federal investments in eldercare and community health programs. 

• However, the total employment levels in key sectors like Ambulatory Health Care Services lagged behind those under Trump, reflecting slower recovery in certain private-sector roles.
  
  

The comparison of healthcare employment under Trump and Biden highlights the divergent impacts of their policy approaches.

• Trump’s pro-business policies and economic recovery agenda resulted in higher overall employment levels across key healthcare sectors. His administration’s focus on deregulation and private-sector flexibility appealed to voters concerned with job stability and economic resilience, contributing to a slight positive sentiment in public discourse.

• Biden’s equity-driven healthcare reforms and expansion of public health investments achieved strong sector-specific growth, particularly in community and eldercare roles. However, his administration’s policies faced criticism for slower total job creation, leading to a more cautious public sentiment.

These findings suggest that while Trump’s leadership was perceived as more effective in maintaining workforce stability, Biden’s policies laid the groundwork for long-term structural reforms in the healthcare system. This distinction underscores the tension between immediate job creation and sustainable, equitable growth in the healthcare sector.