How Republicans are feeling about the Trump administration

The Republican Party remains solidly behind Donald Trump. MAGA loyalists stand with the president across nearly every major issue, and his grip on the party's future looks as firm as ever.

But underneath the surface, outside of Trump’s most loyal coalition, there are cracks beginning to show.

Below are five charts showing how different segments of the Republican coalition feel about the second Trump administration and what could mean in for the 2026 midterm election.

1. Trump’s standing among Republicans is rock solid. Even though his broader poll numbers have cooled down, Donald Trump’s standing within his own party remains strong. Driven by the MAGA base, the Republican Party largely backs Trump’s handling of most major issues (even if there are some sore spots).

2. The future of the Republican Party. Right now, the Republican base largely wants the party to follow in Trump’s footsteps, even if non-MAGA Republicans are more divided. Trump’s imprint will continue to shape the future of the Republican Party for the foreseeable future.

3. Trump weaker among younger, non-white Republican leaners. The coalitions he had to swing to win in 2024 are leaning the furthest away from him in 2026, with inflation being one of their biggest grievances. It’s no coincidence that these are the groups that are hurting the most under the nation’s K-shaped economy.

4. Different economies. Ultimately, many of these younger and non-white Republican leaners aren’t feeling the same economic improvements that the most committed portions of the MAGA base are.

5. Enthusiasm gap. These frustrations are poised to have real ramifications for the Republican Party in 2026. Even if younger and non-white Republicans don’t flip to the Democratic Party, a dip in participation could make an outsized impact. Enthusiasm often decides midterm elections. Right now, Democrats have the upper hand among these groups.

At a high level, Trump is not struggling to hold on to the most committed part of his base. MAGA Republicans largely back Trump across a number of domains and want Trump’s influence to be at the center of the party’s future, in some way or another.

But under the surface, there are some warning signs brewing. Younger and non-white portions of the Republican Party are less satisfied with the Trump administration, with their biggest grievances being with the economy and inflation.

Trump’s struggle to retain these groups points to a broader trend: the disconnect between macroeconomic indicators of economic health and how Americans feel about their own personal financial situation. This disconnect is what doomed former President Joe Biden. Now, even as employment, inflation and stock market numbers are in a relatively good place, Americans still feel they aren’t reaping the rewards, and Trump seems to be inheriting the blame.