For a long time, one thing in American politics barely changed. Donald Trump’s approval rating with Republicans stayed locked in place, no matter what was happening around him. That consistency became one of his strongest political assets.
That picture is now starting to shift.
New data from Quinnipiac University shows Trump’s approval among Republicans has dropped since the fall, marking a rare and noticeable change inside his own party. While support remains high, the movement itself stands out.
In mid-October, Quinnipiac found that 94% of self-identified Republican registered voters approved of Trump’s job performance. Only 4% disapproved, while the rest were undecided. That left Trump with a net approval rating of +90 points among Republicans.
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Just over three months later, the numbers looked different.
In a follow-up poll conducted from January 29 to February 2, Republican approval dropped to 86%. Disapproval climbed to 10%, with a small share still unsure. That shift reduced Trump’s net approval inside the GOP to +76 points.
An 8-point slide may not sound dramatic at first glance, but within Trump’s political orbit, it is unusual. For most of the past decade, his Republican support barely moved, even during moments that rattled the broader electorate.
That is precisely why this change carries weight.
The broader polling environment adds more context. Among all registered voters, Trump’s approval rating currently sits at 37%, while 56% disapprove. That leaves him with a net approval of −19 points, the lowest recorded for his second term by this pollster.
Issue-specific numbers follow the same pattern.
On the economy, 39% of voters approved of Trump’s handling, while 56% disapproved. Immigration showed similar results, with 38% approval and 59% disapproval. Foreign policy approval landed at 37%, again outweighed by 58% of voters who were unhappy.
The White House has pushed back against the polling, arguing that Trump entered office with a strong mandate and remains aligned with voters. Trump himself has dismissed unfavorable surveys, claiming record-high approval and pointing to his election wins as proof of lasting support.
Historically, the party holding the White House almost always loses ground during midterm elections. With Republicans holding slim margins, even modest dips in enthusiasm can shape turnout and affect close races.
Republican pollster Daron Shaw summed it up clearly, saying the president is facing “two difficult obstacles—the virtually unanimous and intractable opposition of Democrats and the stubbornness of high prices.” Those dynamics remain firmly in place, and recent polling indicates they are increasingly shaping voter sentiment.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
