A new analysis by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that independent voters, especially those without a college degree, have become increasingly dissatisfied with President Donald Trump during his second term. Initially, about half of these independents viewed Trump positively around the 2024 election, but this approval dropped to about one-quarter by spring 2026. This decline has eliminated the education gap among independents, who now share similarly negative views of Trump regardless of their education level. The analysis, based on nearly two dozen polls from July 2024 to April 2026, highlights a steady decrease in support among independents, including Black and Hispanic groups, who had previously leaned toward Trump. This shift could pose challenges for Trump and the Republican Party in upcoming midterm elections, as independents’ opinions continue to evolve in response to political events.
QUESTION: How might the changing views of independent voters impact future elections and political strategies?
Where Trump has lost support with independents, according to AP-NORC polling
