Support for the Republican Party has declined under President Donald Trump, a new poll of voter’s congressional voting intentions has found.
Why It Matters
Negative polls are early indicators of changing public opinion about Trump and his policies. A sustained backlash to his early actions as president—which included implementing tariffs and imposing a range of executive orders—could persuade him to change course or risk losing support from the electorate.
Sustaining public support is also important to Republicans in Congress, who hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. A loss of seven seats in the 2026 midterm elections could cost them control of the lower chamber.
What To Know
An April 16 poll of 1,000 registered voters conducted by RMG Research, a public opinion research firm founded by conservative pollster Scott Rasmussen, for Napolitan News Service found that if an election for Congress were held today, 48 percent would vote for the Democrat on their ballot, while 44 percent would vote for the Republican.
When including those who would lean Democratic or Republican, the Democratic lead increased to 50 percent, while Republican support increased to 45 percent.
This marks a seven-point swing since February, according to the pollsters. Before Trump was inaugurated on January 20, Republicans had a seven-point lead of 51 percent to the Democrats’ 44 percent.
The margin of error for the poll was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
The poll follows an April Napolitan News Service survey that suggested 42 percent of respondents trusted Democrats more than Republicans on inflation, while 38 percent trusted Republicans more than Democrats on the same issue.
An April 13 poll found that for the first time since May 2021, the GOP was seen as less trustworthy than Democrats with the nation’s finances.
According to a CNBC poll of 1,000 Americans, 43 percent approved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 55 percent disapproved—marking the first time a CNBC survey showed the president with a net negative on the economy.
What People Are Saying
William F. Hall, an adjunct professor of political science and business at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, previously told Newsweek: “It is my opinion, increasingly, in view of the extremely negative ratings experienced by a Republican led Administration, it does appear that, barring some highly unlikely unforeseen circumstances, the midterm elections will bring about a major shift in the makeup of the House of Representatives, with an overwhelming victory for Democratic House candidates. This view reflects the negative ratings held by a Republican led Administration, virtually in every significant category, related to political success, including the state of the economy, employment, inflation and especially lack of optimism being displayed by the vast number of Americans.”
What Happens Next
Public opinion regarding politics is likely to continue to fluctuate in the lead-up to the midterm elections in November 2026.
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