President Donald Trump is facing new warning signs from one of the most loyal groups in the Republican movement.
A new national poll shows support among white evangelical Christians — a voting bloc that helped power Trump’s political comeback — has slipped noticeably during the opening months of 2026.
While the president still maintains strong backing from evangelical conservatives overall, the decline is raising fresh questions about Republican energy heading into the high-stakes midterm elections.
New Poll Shows Decline in Evangelical Support
A late-April NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found that 64 percent of white evangelical Christians said they support the way President Trump is handling his job in office.
That number remains strong compared to his support among the general public, but it marks a drop from January, when 69 percent of evangelicals approved of Trump’s performance.
At the same time, disapproval among the group increased from 29 percent to 34 percent.
The shift represents a notable change for one of the most dependable voting blocs in modern Republican politics.
Why Evangelicals Matter So Much to Trump
White evangelical Christians were one of the driving forces behind Trump’s 2024 victory.
Exit polling showed the group supported Trump by overwhelming margins, helping Republicans secure key battleground states and boost turnout nationwide.
The voting bloc accounted for more than one-quarter of the electorate in the last presidential election, making it one of the largest and most influential groups in conservative politics.
For years, evangelical voters have remained fiercely loyal to Trump, often supporting him more strongly than any other major demographic group.
That’s why even a modest drop in support is getting attention from political insiders.
Conservatives Still Back Trump Overwhelmingly
Despite the decline, Trump continues to enjoy far stronger support from evangelical Christians than from the country overall.
The same poll found Trump’s national approval rating sitting well below his evangelical support numbers, highlighting the continuing divide between conservative voters and the broader electorate.
Many Republican voters still strongly support Trump’s America First agenda, especially on issues like border security, inflation, energy independence, religious liberty, and the economy.
Political analysts say the bigger issue may not be outright opposition, but rather enthusiasm levels among core supporters.
In midterm elections, turnout often matters more than persuasion. Even small drops in voter excitement can impact close races across the country.
White House Responds to Polling Questions
President Trump has dismissed concerns surrounding recent polling numbers.
Speaking during a phone interview with Newsmax, Trump argued Republicans perform best when he is personally on the ballot.
“It is a problem I’m not on the ballot,” Trump said. “Everyone says if I was on a ballot, we’d win in a landslide.”
The White House also defended Trump’s record, pointing to his economic policies, immigration crackdown, and efforts to lower inflation and increase affordability for working Americans.
Administration officials say many of Trump’s policies are still taking effect and believe public support could improve as voters see more results over time.
Republicans Watching 2026 Closely
The latest numbers are unlikely to cause panic among Republicans, but they are being watched carefully.
Evangelical Christians remain one of the most reliable groups in the GOP coalition, and their turnout has played a major role in Republican victories for years.
If enthusiasm weakens further, however, it could create challenges in competitive congressional races during the 2026 midterms.
For now, Trump still maintains overwhelming support among conservative Christians compared to most other voter groups.
But the new polling suggests Republicans may need to work harder to keep their base energized as another critical election season approaches.