Cracks in the Armor? Trump’s Base Remains Loyal Amidst Shifting Public Opinion

President Donald Trump’s administration continues to ignite strong reactions across the United States, with his loyal base standing firm amidst a landscape of daily controversies and policy shifts. While critics decry his actions as destructive and divisive, a significant portion of the population remains steadfast in their support, viewing him as a much-needed disruptor of the Washington status quo.

Cynthia Harrison, a retiree from Stowe, Vermont, embodies the unwavering faith that characterizes many Trump supporters. "Whatever is said about President Donald Trump by his critics, Cynthia Harrison remains a true believer. The guy, he has a track record, a four-year track record, so yeah, we trust him," she told USA TODAY, echoing the sentiment of many who see Trump as a proven leader. Harrison firmly believes that "Trump has been right on everything," citing the investigation into Russian election interference as an example where Trump’s claims of a "hoax" were vindicated. The investigation ultimately did not find evidence that Trump or his campaign conspired with the Russian government, reinforcing her trust in his judgment.

This unwavering loyalty within Trump’s base serves as a powerful foundation for his administration, influencing policy decisions and providing a shield against criticism. At a recent luncheon in Washington, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro emphasized the importance of trusting Trump’s instincts, suggesting that predicting his next move is "foolhardy" because it all stems from "trust in Trump."

Fuelled by this support, Trump has moved swiftly to reshape Washington, dismantling parts of the federal bureaucracy and challenging the authority of the judicial branch. While legal scholars and historians express alarm, many of his core supporters remain jubilant, embracing the cascading changes. They celebrate the emphasis on border security, including televised raids targeting undocumented immigrants, and defend the firing of federal workers as a necessary step to address the nation’s mounting debt. "I get excited because (Trump’s) a disrupter and Washington needs to be disrupted," Harrison emphasized, enthusiastically supporting Trump’s decision to enlist Elon Musk in weeding out government corruption. This steely confidence among the MAGA-fueled base has proven to be Trump’s strongest armor as he wields his power, from his demands to end birthright citizenship to directives pausing the distribution of trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans.

However, recent polling data suggests that this armor may be showing its first cracks. A new NPR/Marist survey indicates a slight decline in Trump’s approval rating, with 45% of U.S. adults approving of his job performance compared to 49% who disapprove. The poll also revealed that a majority of Americans are unsure about his actions, with 54% believing the country is moving in the wrong direction, 55% concerned that federal cuts will cause more harm than good, and 56% feeling he has rushed to make changes without considering the full impact.

Patricia Crouse, a political science professor at the University of New Haven, raises concerns about the long-term consequences of Trump’s actions. "The president is doing the things he promised his base he would do, but you wonder what happens once all of these changes start to impact them personally," she said. "What will be the consequences and ramifications of what he’s doing?"

Despite these concerns, Trump’s supporters overwhelmingly dismiss accusations of executive overreach, attributing them to biased media coverage and Democratic opposition. Even some within the president’s coalition who harbor reservations about MAGA acknowledge aspects of his agenda they find appealing.

Malcolm Mahoney, a student at Dartmouth College, admitted he couldn’t bring himself to vote for Trump in the last election, opting instead to write in Nikki Haley’s name. "I’m of the philosophy that I don’t believe in voting for the lesser of two evils," he explained. However, Mahoney has been pleased with Trump’s executive orders pardoning anti-abortion activists and barring transgender student-athletes from playing women’s sports. Other social conservatives have praised Trump’s executive order requiring policy recommendations to protect in-vitro fertilization (IVF) access and reduce out-of-pocket costs. "Ill make it clear, I am not a Trumpy. I am appreciative of some of his efforts, and I am not appreciative of others," Mahoney stated, highlighting the nuanced perspectives within Trump’s broader coalition.

The nation at large remains deeply divided on Trump, with public opinion fluctuating. A FiveThirtyEight analysis in early March revealed that Trump’s unfavorable rating averaged around 48% compared to a favorable rating of 46% across various polls. While these numbers are an improvement from his Election Day ratings, which showed 52% unfavorable versus 43% favorable, the polarization remains evident.

Mary Mennona Ventresca, a Republican from Royersford, Pennsylvania, implored Democrats and their allies to accept that Trump’s supporters hold radically different views on the country’s solutions and aren’t simply uninformed. "His opponents have behaved for generations now like they own this country by divine right. That they alone have a right to free speech but that their opponents really dont," she said. "Frankly, were all tired of it."

A Pew Research Center survey further illuminates the intensity of feelings surrounding Trump, revealing that 37% of U.S. adults strongly support his job performance while 40% strongly dislike it. This 77% with strong feelings dwarfs the number of those who hold lukewarm views, highlighting the deeply entrenched divisions within the country.

Jack Reeves, from Wellington, North Carolina, voted for Trump and trusts him to handle the economy, believing his actions are in America’s best interest. While he generally supports Trump’s policies, he expresses some reservations about aggressive tariffs, emphasizing the need for moderation to avoid causing prices to "go sky high."

In terms of specific policies, the Pew survey reveals slightly more opposition than full-throated support for Trump’s agenda. Approximately 35% of U.S. adults support all or most of Trump’s policies and plans, compared with 24% who support none. However, a significant 40% fall somewhere in the middle, supporting some or only a few of his ideas.

Reeves supports Musk’s involvement in the administration, seeing it as a way to dismantle agencies and address government overreach. He dismisses concerns about giving Musk access to sensitive information, comparing it to insider trading by powerful members of Congress. "It aint no different than all the insider trading that all the Democrats were doing while they were in office," he said.

However, Republican Candy Meintze, from Stevenson, Michigan, expresses wariness about Musk, an unelected official, wielding so much government oversight. "The only thing I don’t like is he has so much access; that disturbs me," she said.

Democrats have targeted Musk in their early counteroffensives, as he is viewed more negatively than positively overall. According to the Pew survey, approximately 54% of Americans express unfavorable views of the billionaire, compared to 42% who view him favorably.

Musk’s task force recently announced the termination of numerous contracts and the cancellation of DEI training grants within the U.S. Department of Education.

Meintze, who was undecided before the last election, urges Trump to proceed cautiously with his actions, including attempts to dismantle the department. "I don’t think what he’s doing is reckless; I think it’s necessary, but he needs to give some of his actions more thought," she said. "I’m like, what’s the rush?”

Other supporters, like Jeanne Solnordal, emphasize the need for fiscal responsibility and support Trump’s efforts to cut wasteful spending. "I’m glad somebody is finally thinking with some common sense, like (Trump) said," she said.

"Change is hard, so rapid change is even harder, but those who are against it are going to have to get used to it," Solnordal added. "I’m going to have trust in President Trump that he knows what he’s doing."