President Trump’s slipping approval ratings at the 100-day mark of his second term are beginning to raise alarms among Republicans. While GOP leaders have largely remained loyal, some are now voicing quiet concerns as they shift their focus toward the midterm elections.
The White House has not publicly acknowledged any worry over the polling trend, but Republican strategists are urging Trump to pivot away from the constant disruptions caused by his aggressive tariff agenda and instead return to delivering on the core economic promises that helped him win back the presidency.
One Republican strategist said Trump’s 2024 victory was driven by voters who remembered the pre-pandemic economy and believed he was better equipped than his opponent to handle inflation and economic instability. That support, however, appears to be wavering.
According to this strategist, Trump’s approval is slipping because his pursuit of steep trade barriers and unpredictable economic policies has reignited voter anxiety. While Trump still holds firm backing from his most loyal Republican base, moderate and independent voters—who played a key role in his 2024 victory—are beginning to drift away.
This shift is especially concerning ahead of the midterms. When a candidate loses the political middle, competitive races can quickly turn against them, and even safe districts may become battlegrounds. The strategist warned that, although it’s still early in the election cycle, the polling trend fueled by backlash to tariff policy is already a red flag.
A new Decision Desk HQ survey released Wednesday showed Trump with an approval rating of 44 percent, while 56 percent of respondents disapproved—putting him well underwater as his second term continues to unfold.