Trump’s popularity on decline; Republican political future at risk

Pars Today – According to the results of three recent polls, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, is facing a significant drop in support among his traditional base ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections.

NBC News, Pew Research Center, Reuters, and Ipsos polls indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump has lost part of the staunch supporters of the MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) movement, and his policies on deportation and economic management are facing increasing negative reactions. According to Pars Today, as the U.S. heads toward the 2026 midterm elections, these trends could pose a serious threat to the Republican Party’s efforts to maintain control of Congress.

According to an NBC News poll, the proportion of Republicans who identify most strongly with the MAGA movement has declined by 7 percentage points since April 2025. In the latest survey, only 50 percent of Republicans said their political identity aligns more closely with MAGA, compared to 57 percent at the beginning of the year. Meanwhile, the other 50 percent now see themselves as more aligned with the traditional Republican Party.

At the same time, Trump’s overall popularity has also dropped, falling from 45 percent to 42 percent, while disapproval of his performance has risen from 55 percent to 58 percent.

A Pew Research Center survey shows that a growing number of Republicans believe the Trump administration is going too far on deportations. According to the poll, 20 percent of Republicans said the White House has overstepped on the issue of deportations, up from 13 percent in March. Although a majority of Republicans (64 percent) still support the administration’s approach, the increase in opposition signals a significant shift in intra-party attitudes.

A joint Reuters/Ipsos poll also confirms a decline in Trump’s popularity on economic issues. Only 33 percent of American adults approve of how Trump is managing the economy, marking his lowest rating in 2025. Even among Republicans, support has decreased: 72 percent approved of Trump’s economic performance, down from 78 percent earlier in the same month. Trump’s overall popularity in this survey stands at 39 percent.

Costas Panagopoulos, a political science professor at Northeastern University, said, “Trump’s popularity is on a downward trajectory, and even his staunch MAGA supporters are beginning to reassess their support.” Mark Shanahan, a professor of American politics, added, “Trump is not a candidate in 2026, but he will continue to cast a shadow over the elections. The outcome is tied to the economy, and if economic conditions remain weak, his policies could hurt Republican candidates.”

The 2026 midterm elections will be a crucial test for Trump and the Republican Party. The president’s declining popularity and the divide between MAGA and the traditional party base have prompted Republican leaders to begin reassessing their electoral strategies now.