President Donald Trump, long the champion of America First policies and a favorite among conservative voters, is seeing a surprising dip in approval from his strongest base.
Poll Shows Significant Drop Among Conservatives
A new Economist/YouGov poll reveals Trump’s net approval rating among conservatives has fallen 15 points from July to August — a shift that could have implications for the critical 2026 midterm elections.
Back in May, Trump enjoyed a strong +67 percent net approval, climbing to +68 in June and soaring to +80 in July. But in August, that number slipped to +65 percent — the lowest in months.
What’s Behind the Drop?
Analysts say the decline is fueled by two main factors:
- Trade Policy Concerns – While many conservatives support Trump’s tariffs on China and other trading partners, some Republicans worry about short-term price increases for goods like steel, lumber, and consumer products.
- Immigration Enforcement Backlash – The administration’s decisive actions against illegal immigration have drawn praise from border-security advocates, but critics within the GOP claim certain measures are too aggressive — a narrative amplified by the media.
Media Attacks and Old Controversies
The corporate media continues to resurface long-settled controversies like the Jeffrey Epstein case in an effort to tarnish Trump’s record, despite no evidence linking him to any wrongdoing. This relentless negative coverage may be swaying a small segment of conservative voters.
Strong in Key States, Gains With Hispanic Voters
Despite the dip, Trump’s approval remains positive in 18 of the states he won in 2024, and recent polls show growing support among Hispanic voters — a key demographic that has traditionally leaned Democrat. Remarkably, his approval has also increased slightly among liberals in the past month.
What It Means for the GOP
If Trump’s numbers rebound, Republicans could see a powerful surge heading into the 2026 midterms. But if the media and Democrats manage to exploit the current polling dip, they could dampen GOP momentum.
For now, conservative voters will be watching closely as Trump continues to advance his America First economic agenda, secure the southern border, and stand firm against foreign adversaries — policies that have defined his presidency and shaped the modern Republican Party.