Rural voters have turned against President Donald Trump once again, marking a sharp 14-point drop in his approval rating among the group, according to a recent Fox News survey. Conducted from July 17 to 20 among 1,003 registered voters, the poll revealed that Trump’s approval stood at 44% to 56% disapproval, resulting in a net -12 rating. This represents a significant reversal from June, when his approval was at 51% to 49% disapproval, a net +2. The decline comes amid growing concerns over the administration’s policies and performance, particularly regarding economic conditions, inflation, and immigration. The shift in rural voter sentiment follows a brief rebound in June, which proved short-lived. Despite the overall decline, rural voters still rate Trump somewhat more favorably than the general electorate on specific issues such as the economy, inflation, and immigration, though all these areas remain net-negative. The survey also highlighted a steep decline in approval among non-MAGA Republicans, whose support dropped 13 points from 70% to 51% in the same period. On immigration, a traditionally strong issue for Trump, there is now a nearly even split between Democrats and Republicans, with 50% of voters believing Democrats handle the issue better than Republicans, compared to an eight-point Republican advantage in April. The downward trend in Trump’s approval coincides with rising opposition to the administration’s approach toward Iran. According to the same Fox News poll, only 34% of voters approve of Trump’s handling of Iran, while 66% disapprove, a record low for the administration. Additionally, 56% of voters oppose any U.S. military action against Iran. These sentiments reflect broader dissatisfaction with the administration’s foreign policy decisions and their potential impact on domestic affairs. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle responded to the findings, echoing a familiar refrain: “The ultimate poll was November 5, 2024,” and that Trump’s agenda is “just…taking effect.” This stance underscores the administration’s continued emphasis on future electoral outcomes over immediate public perception, despite the mounting challenges in maintaining support among key demographics. Meanwhile, independent voters have shown even more pronounced disapproval of Trump. Two late-July polls, one by CNN/SSRS and another by The Economist/YouGov, revealed Trump’s net approval rating among independents at minus 52 and minus 53, respectively. These figures place him well below his overall national approval rating, which stood at a record-low net -28 in the YouGov/ Economist survey. Such levels of disapproval among independents raise concerns about the potential influence of Trump’s personal brand on upcoming midterm elections, where the outcome could hinge heavily on how voters perceive his leadership. Historically, presidents with poor approval ratings have faced significant setbacks in midterm elections. Data from the American Presidency Project shows that presidents with approval ratings below 50% have typically seen their parties lose an average of 37 House seats, compared to 14 seats for those above 50%. Notable examples include Bill Clinton’s Democrats losing 54 seats in 1994, George W. Bush’s Republicans losing 30 in 2006, Barack Obama’s Democrats losing 63 in 2010, and Trump’s Republicans losing 41 in 2018. Although Joe Biden managed to avoid substantial losses in 2022 despite his weak approval ratings, the current trajectory suggests a similar risk for Trump’s party in 2026. The divergence in polling results highlights the complexity of gauging public sentiment. While some surveys indicate a slight uptick in Trump’s approval, others reveal persistent challenges. For instance, the Morning Consult Political Intelligence Weekly Tracker showed Trump’s net approval at -7%, a marginal improvement from prior weeks. However, this contrasts sharply with the YouGov/Economist survey, which placed his approval at 34% and disapproval at 62%, yielding a net -28. Analysts caution that such fluctuations are common and should not be interpreted as definitive indicators of a broader trend. As the political calendar moves forward, the focus will remain on how these shifting opinions translate into real-world outcomes. With midterm elections approaching, the interplay between Trump’s personal popularity, the broader political climate, and the evolving preferences of key voter groups will shape the narrative surrounding the 2026 midterms. The coming weeks will offer further insight into whether these trends represent a turning point or merely a momentary fluctuation in public sentiment.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
United States
