President Donald Trump‘s approval rating has suddenly dropped among conservative adults, new polling has shown.
According to a series of polls by The Economist/YouGov, the president’s net approval rating has declined by 15 percentage points from July to August.
Why It Matters
During his presidency, Trump’s popularity has fluctuated. Key issues, including his tariff policy and his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, have caused voter discontent.
Conservatives are one of Trump’s key voting bases. Losing their support could be damaging for the Republicans, especially when voters head to the polls in the November 2026 midterms.
What To Know
Prior to Trump’s approval rating declining, it had increased steadily since May. It was net +67 percent then, and +68 percent in June. It then increased by 12 percentage points to +80 in July before falling to a new low in this time period, to +65 percent.
Speaking to Newsweek, analysts suggested that his falling popularity was because of his trade and immigration policies, while other analysts previously pointed to factors like the Epstein scandal.
Meanwhile, other general polls have suggested support for Trump is declining. According to a YouGov poll for British newspaper The Times, the proportion of people who disapprove of Trump’s job performance has increased from 52 percent in April to 57 percent in July.
Newsweek analysis also revealed that Trump’s approval rating is positive in 18 of the states he won in the 2024 election, and negative in 13.
However, his approval rating has increased among liberals in the past month. Another poll showed Trump gaining more traction with Hispanic voters, a crucial demographic that traditionally supports Democratic candidates.
What People Are Saying
Heath Brown, an associate professor of public policy at City University of New York, told Newsweek: “The recent poll numbers are likely tied to two factors. First, many Republican voters are skeptical about the president’s signature trade policies. Recent polling suggests that a sizable percentage of Republicans believe the tariffs are hurting the U.S. economy, and this is likely driving down support overall for the president.
“Second, the most radical aspects of the administration’s immigration policies, including many of its punitive deportation actions, are not supported by many Republicans. As these actions have gotten more attention, it seems likely that some Republicans have lost faith in the president.”
Mark Shanahan, who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey, previously told Newsweek: “Trump’s second term has been less of a honeymoon, but more of a divorce from half the country: one where he’s got to keep the house, the kids and just about all of the assets. From day one of his rule by executive order he has never sought to bring the USA together and, indeed, has exploited differences to highlight how he’s delivering on his campaign commitments, not least through DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency], through his clampdown on immigration and through his America First foreign policy.”
“Public services are already beginning to creak thanks to the actions of Musk and his cohort, and tariffs are driving up prices at home, while the economic benefits of the One Big Beautiful act have yet to be felt. And around all this, the whiff of Epstein is tainting the president’s achievements.”
What Happens Next
Whether Trump’s standing among conservatives falls enough to impact Republicans in the November 2026 midterm elections remains to be seen. His popularity among all different demographics will likely fluctuate as his presidency continues.
The post Donald Trump’s Approval Rating Suddenly Slides With Conservatives appeared first on Newsweek.
