Trump’s Approval Rating Dips Among Conservatives

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President Donald Trump’s approval rating has seen a notable decline among conservative voters, according to recent polling data from YouGov, The Economist reports. The surveys indicate a 15-point drop in net approval between July and August, marking a shift after several months of steady gains.

Trump has long counted on strong backing from conservatives, a core voting bloc essential to Republican electoral strength. Any erosion in this support could influence outcomes in the November 2026 midterm elections.

In May, Trump’s net approval among conservatives stood at +67 percent, increasing slightly to +68 percent in June. By July, it had risen sharply to +80 percent, before falling to +65 percent in the latest measure.

Some political analysts point to policy disputes as contributing factors. In a recent interview with Newsweek, Heath Brown, associate professor of public policy at City University of New York, suggested two primary causes. First, skepticism among Republican voters toward Trump’s trade policies, particularly tariffs, has grown. “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,” Brown said.

Second, Brown noted that the most hardline elements of the administration’s immigration agenda, including punitive deportation measures, have not been embraced by all Republicans. As media coverage of these actions increases, some within the conservative base appear to be reconsidering their stance.

Other polling shows broader declines in Trump’s approval ratings across the electorate. A YouGov poll for The Times found that the percentage of respondents disapproving of Trump’s performance rose from 52 percent in April to 57 percent in July.

Still, Trump retains positive approval ratings in 18 of the states he won in the 2024 election, although 13 states now register net negative views. There are also signs of shifting dynamics in his support among some liberal voters who have risen modestly, and his standing with Hispanic voters, traditionally a Democratic-leaning demographic, has shown gains in recent weeks.

Mark Shanahan, a political analyst at the University of Surrey, told Newsweek that Trump’s second term has been defined by assertive executive action and a focus on fulfilling campaign pledges. “From day one… he has never sought to bring the USA together and has exploited differences to highlight how he’s delivering on his commitments, not least through his clampdown on immigration and America First foreign policy,” Shanahan said.

While critics point to rising prices linked to tariffs and lingering public focus on controversies unrelated to policy, supporters argue that the administration remains committed to its economic and national security objectives.

Whether this recent dip in conservative approval will persist and whether it will affect Republican prospects in the 2026 midterms remains uncertain. Political momentum can shift quickly, and Trump’s influence within the GOP remains substantial.