Politics
New Polls Show Trump’s Rural Support Collapses
By Jake Beardslee · May 3, 2025
Polling: Rural America Slips From Trump’s Grip
Donald Trump’s once-reliable base of rural voters is showing signs of weakening support, according to new survey data, signaling potential vulnerabilities for his re-election efforts and the broader Republican agenda. Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Rural Support Weakens
Trump’s rural support—a cornerstone of his 2016 and 2020 victories—has weakened significantly, according to multiple new polls. A PBS/NPR/Marist survey conducted April 21–23 among 1,439 adults shows just 46% of rural voters now approve of Trump’s job performance, down from 59% in February. Disapproval has surged from 37% to 45% in the same timeframe. The White House / Wikimedia
Strategic Importance of Rural Voters
The results suggest cracks in what was once considered the bedrock of Trump’s political coalition. “Rural voters have long been a cornerstone of Trump's base, and any slippage in their support could have major implications for future Republican success,” Newsweek noted. Rodney White/The Register
Approval Slips Nationwide
Trump's approval ratings are falling among nearly all voter groups. In urban areas, support has dropped from 42% to 40%, while in small cities it declined from 42% to 36%. Suburban approval is also down one point, to 40%. Peggy_Marco / Pixabay
One Demographic Still Rising
One exception is small-town voters, where support grew to 53%, up from 46%. However, the Marist poll carries a margin of error of ±3.3 percentage points, indicating some caution in interpreting narrow shifts. Yamu_Jay / Pixabay
ActiVote Echoes the Decline
ActiVote’s latest poll, conducted between March 31 and April 29 among 576 voters, found Trump’s rural approval fell to 49%, down 9 points since March and 15 points since January. Disapproval climbed from 35% in January to 46%. The White House / Wikimedia
National Approval Hits a Low
A Newsweek tracker shows Trump’s national approval at just 44%, with 52% disapproval. This marks one of the lowest approval ratings of his presidency. The White House / Wikimedia
Additional Polling Paints Grim Picture
Other recent polls reinforce this downward momentum. The YouGov/Yahoo survey from April 25–28 shows 42% approval and 53% disapproval. Emerson College, polling during the same window, registered 45% approval with 45% disapproval. The White House / Wikimedia
Consistency Across Pollsters
Navigator Research’s April 24–28 poll shows a 44% approval versus 54% disapproval split. Each of these polls demonstrates a growing net negative for Trump, with multiple data sources aligning in their findings. The White House / Wikimedia
Tariffs Stir Economic Anxiety
Trump’s "Liberation Day" tariffs—announced April 2—sparked a market sell-off and may be exacerbating discontent, especially in rural communities that are highly sensitive to economic policy shifts. @WhiteHouse / X
Economic Concerns in Rural Areas
Among rural voters polled by Marist: 48% disapprove of his handling of the economy, while just 45% approve. On tariffs, 49% believe they will hurt the economy. Overall, 53% disapprove of Trump’s handling of the issue. Kaboompics.com / Pexels
Rising Prices Add to Discontent
Concerns over rising costs are also prominent: 57% expect grocery prices to increase in the next six months, according to the Marist poll. Only 19% think prices will decrease, and 24% believe they will stay the same. Greta Hoffman / Pexels
Comparisons to Trump’s First Term
Despite beginning his second term with higher initial approval, Trump’s current 44% rating is similar—or worse—than at the same point in his first term. On May 2, 2017, RealClearPolitics reported him at 43% approval and 52% disapproval. U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cristian L. Ricardo / Wikimedia
Trump Lags Behind Other Presidents
Compared to past presidents after 100 days in office, Trump is trailing. According to The American Presidency Project, his approval ranks far below most post-Eisenhower presidents at the same milestone. David Everett Strickler / Unsplash
Biden Outperformed at This Stage
On May 2, 2021, Biden’s approval was 54%, with just 42% disapproval—ten points better than Trump’s current standing. Gallup reported Biden starting his presidency at 57% approval, compared to Trump’s sub-50% start. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff / Wikimedia
100-Day Benchmarks Are Bleak
Other presidents with stronger starts after 100 days include John F. Kennedy (83%), Ronald Reagan (68%), and Barack Obama (65%). Even Nixon and Carter were far ahead of where Trump stands now. Edoardo Cuoghi / Unsplash