'Trump's base is showing signs of erosion': Analysis points to trouble for the president
In an article for Newsweek published Sunday, journalist Martha McHardy argued that much of President Donald Trump's support base appears to be unhappy with the way he is running his administration.
McHardy cited a recent poll showing Trump's approval rating among those who voted for him in 2024 stands at 83 percent.
"Once the cornerstone of his political strength, President Donald Trump's base is showing signs of erosion. The latest YouGov/Economist poll, conducted June 20-23 among 1,590 adults, shows that Trump's approval rating among those who voted for him in 2024 stands at 83 percent, while 14 percent disapprove, giving him a net approval rating of +69 points, down from +80 last month," she wrote in the piece.
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Polls in the wake of President Trump’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities reveal a notable dip in backing — even among his core constituency. Recent data show only 36% of Americans endorse the strikes, with 49% opposing any further military engagement.
"Political analysts say Trump's declining approval ratings are tied to a growing disconnect between his actions and voter priorities—particularly after his recent military intervention in Iran," the article notes.
Meanwhile, Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 41%, marking the lowest point of his current term.
McHardy noted that the recent events in the Middle East have underscored the risks of deeper U.S. military involvement in the region and signaled a shift away from Trump’s earlier vow to protect “America's vital interests” without engaging in “endless wars.” The recent spike in military actions, she observed, appears to have chipped away at public enthusiasm — even among Republicans — hinting at softening support for Trump’s broader agenda.
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Several prominent Make America Great Again (MAGA)-aligned figures, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), voiced opposition to Trump’s military action against Iran earlier this month, citing his longstanding promise to avoid “forever wars."
Thomas Gift, founding director of the University College London Centre on U.S. Politics, told Newsweek that Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities has rattled a segment of the MAGA movement that had anticipated he would steer clear of foreign conflicts.
"Trump's recent actions in Iran have done little to reassure the MAGA base that he'll steer clear of another endless war in the Middle East," Gift said.
Gift added that Trump's campaign promise to keep America out of foreign conflicts meant staying out of foreign conflicts is "starting to ring hollow."
