Trump Faces Decline in Approval Among MAGA Supporters, New Poll Reveals

A recent poll indicates that President Donald Trump may be losing support among his staunchest allies within the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. The NBC News Decision Desk poll, conducted by SurveyMonkey, reveals significant shifts in approval ratings among Republicans, raising questions about Trump’s standing as he approaches the 2024 election.

The survey, released on December 8, 2023, highlights that only 35% of Republicans who identify more with the GOP than the MAGA movement “strongly approve” of Trump. This marks a decrease from 38% in April. In contrast, 70% of MAGA Republicans express strong support for Trump, although this is an 8-point decline from 78% in the earlier poll.

Shifting Republican Identity

The poll also indicates a notable change in how Republicans identify themselves. In April, a majority aligned with the MAGA movement, but now they are evenly divided between traditional GOP affiliations and MAGA. This shift suggests a growing dissatisfaction among core supporters, potentially impacting Trump’s campaign strategy moving forward.

Overall, Trump’s approval rating remains low, with just 42% of Americans approving of his job performance, down from April’s figures. The poll shows that 58% of respondents disapprove of his presidency. Many Americans express concern regarding the economy, which appears to be influencing these approval ratings. Currently, 41% of respondents feel their personal financial situation is unchanged from a year ago, while 35% report it has worsened.

Public Opinion and Economic Concerns

The sentiment of the nation reflects a stark reality, with 64% believing the country is on the wrong track compared to 36% who think it is moving in the right direction. This disconnect between public perception and Trump’s policies may be a driving factor in his declining support.

The poll surveyed 20,252 adults between November 20 and December 8, 2023, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. These findings align with recent analyses by CNN polling expert Harry Enten, who noted that Trump’s approval among voters for the 2024 election has dropped from 66% in March to 50% now.

Enten explained on CNN that while Trump retains a base of support, it has softened, allowing for dissent within his ranks. He referenced recent events in Indiana, where Republicans rejected Trump’s proposed redistricting plan, stating, “Trump voters still like Donald Trump, but they don’t love him as much.” This shift in sentiment may be pivotal as Trump navigates the upcoming election season, facing both internal and external challenges to his leadership.

As the political landscape evolves, the implications of this poll could resonate significantly with Trump’s campaign strategy and overall support within the Republican Party.