Trump retains MAGA loyalty, yet poll reveals weakening support ahead of 2026 midterms

MAGA base shrank as support fell to 35% in December, with the poll finding fewer Republicans identifying with the movement
NBC poll showed that Donald Trump’s approval had slipped to 42% nationwide, as more Americans said the country was on the wrong track (Getty Images)
NBC poll showed that Donald Trump’s approval had slipped to 42% nationwide, as more Americans said the country was on the wrong track (Getty Images)


NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: NBC News Decision Desk revealed the results of a recent poll about Trump’s MAGA base on Sunday, December 14.

According to the conducted poll, a majority of American adults believe the country is on the “wrong track,” as Trump’s approval ratings continue to drop. 

U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is holding the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, joined by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Trump’s MAGA base falls to 35% 

The NBC News Decision Desk Poll was conducted between November 20 to December 8, 2025, and surveyed 20,252 Americans online.

As per the poll, two groups showed the largest drop in support for Donald Trump, including those who identify with Trump’s Make America Great Again movement.

In April 2025, Trump’s approval rate among the MAGA base stood at 38%. However, the latest poll showed a slight decline to 35%. MAGA Republicans’ support stood at 78% in April, but in December 2025, it had dropped to 70%.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10:  An oversized replica of a
An oversized replica of a 'Make America Great Again' hat sits on the grass (Getty Images)

The poll surveyed self-identified Republicans and asked if they considered themselves “more a part of the MAGA movement” or a supporter of the Republican Party.

The same was asked the group in April 2025, and while those who considered themselves a supporter of the party increased from 43% to 50%, MAGA supporters saw a decline from 57% to 50%. 

Former President Donald Trump made several verbal gaffes during the Philadelphia MAGA rally (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Donald Trump made several verbal gaffes during the Philadelphia MAGA rally (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Poll reveals state of the economy remains a concern

The state of the American economy remains an important issue to most Americans, as per the poll. 64% of Americans stated that they believed the “country is on the wrong track,” which stood at 60% previously.

The report further stated that the “top and bottom” of the income distribution experienced different levels of worry. 41% people said that their personal financial situation remained the same, while 35% said it was “worse,” and 24% said it was "better" than it was a year ago.

“However, 45% of those making less than $50,000 said their finances are worse today, compared to only a quarter of those who make over $100,000,” it added.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 26: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (not in frame) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (not in frame) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

When asked if Americans were personally affected by the recent economic conditions, 69% of “higher earners” said that they were affected by the stock market, while 58% of the “lower earners” were not. 

“Over half of all Americans (53%) said they trust the Democratic Party over the Republican Party (47%) when it comes to handling the rising price of everyday things,” it added. 

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