Politics
Trump’s Political Crisis: Republicans Begin to Abandon Him
By Jake Beardslee · April 27, 2025
Trump Faces Growing Political Pressure as GOP Support Wavers
President Donald Trump is facing mounting political challenges amid signs that Republican support is weakening. A recent poll conducted by RMG Research, a firm founded by conservative pollster Scott Rasmussen, reveals a shift in voter preference toward Democrats — a development that could have major implications for Trump and his party. The White House / Wikimedia
Newsweek Highlights Poll as Warning Sign for Trump
On April 22, Newsweek highlighted the significance of these findings, with journalist Katie Plummer noting that “negative polls are early indicators of changing public opinion about Trump and his policies.” The White House / Wikimedia
Backlash to Early Actions Could Erode Trump's Base
Plummer added that “a sustained backlash to his early actions as president—which included implementing tariffs and imposing a range of executive orders—could persuade him to change course or risk losing support from the electorate.” The White House / Wikimedia
Poll Shows Democrats Leading Republicans in Voter Support
The poll, conducted on April 16, surveyed 1,000 American adults and found that 48% said they would vote for a Democrat if the election were held that day, compared to 44% who would support a Republican. Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash
Shift Toward Democrats Marks Seven-Point Swing Since February
When including voters who leaned toward either party, Democratic support rose to 50%, while Republican support stood at 45%. This represents a significant seven-point swing toward Democrats since February 2025, when Republicans led 51% to 44% in similar polling. Element5 Digital / Unsplash
GOP Majority in Congress at Risk Amid Shifting Voter Trends
Sustaining control of Congress is critical for Trump, especially given the slim Republican majority. If these trends continue, they could threaten GOP control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. Benjamin Ashton / Unsplash
Murkowski Continues to Break from Trump and GOP Line
Earlier this year, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski publicly opposed the Trump administration on several occasions, continuing her long-standing pattern of breaking with her party when she sees fit. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Senator Murkowski Opposed Trump’s Defense Pick and Denali Rename
Murkowski was the first Republican senator to oppose Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary during the confirmation process. She also said she “strongly” disagreed with Trump’s earlier decision to rename North America’s tallest peak, Denali, to Mount McKinley. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Political Expert Predicts Democratic Takeover in Midterms
William F. Hall, an adjunct professor of political science and business at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, previously told Newsweek that “it is my opinion, increasingly, in view of the extremely negative ratings experienced by a Republican led Administration, it does appear that, barring some highly unlikely unforeseen circumstances, the midterm elections will bring about a major shift in the makeup of the House of Representatives, with an overwhelming victory for Democratic House candidates.” Tim Mossholder / Unsplash
Hall Cites Economy and Public Pessimism as Major Factors
Hall added that his view “reflects the negative ratings held by a Republican led Administration, virtually in every significant category, related to political success, including the state of the economy, employment, inflation and especially lack of optimism being displayed by the vast number of Americans.” engin akyurt / Unsplash
Cruz Warns Trump's Tariffs Could Hurt U.S. Consumers
Several Republican senators are also voicing concerns about President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policy, warning of potential risks to the U.S. economy.Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, a prominent Trump ally, spoke out against the tariffs recently during an appearance on Fox News and later expanded on his position in his podcast “Verdict.” “Tariffs are a tax on consumers, and I’m not a fan of jacking up taxes on American consumers,” Cruz said during an interview with Fox Business’ Larry Kudlow. He added that he hopes the tariffs are used as a negotiating tool to lower global trade barriers rather than becoming a permanent policy. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Cruz Predicts Economic "Bloodbath" if Tariffs Persist
On his podcast, Cruz warned that if high tariffs remain in place for an extended period, they could drive inflation higher, damage job growth, and potentially trigger a recession — an outcome he said would be a “bloodbath” for Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. He described an ongoing debate within the White House over whether tariffs should be leveraged for trade negotiations or left in place indefinitely. Cruz praised Elon Musk’s recent advocacy for lower tariffs and free trade, calling Musk one of the “angels” encouraging a more open approach. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Rand Paul Criticizes Tariffs as "Terrible Mistake"
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky also raised alarms, writing on X recently that “tariffs are taxes and Americans are paying the price.” Paul criticized Trump’s framing of the tariffs as a national emergency and urged Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over trade policy. Speaking on the Senate floor, Paul said, “One person can make a mistake and guess what — tariffs are a terrible mistake.” Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Republican Leadership Remains Largely Supportive of Tariff Strategy
Despite some dissenting voices, Republican leadership has largely backed Trump’s approach. Sen. John Barrasso defended the tariffs during an interview with CBS, stating, “We have a comprehensive economic plan to get to a strong, healthy, growing economy for the American people,” and describing the tariffs as a “tool.” Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Poll Finds Voters Trust Democrats More on Inflation Management
Economic issues appear to be a key driver of the shift. Another poll, conducted by Napolitan News Service in April, found that 42% of respondents trusted Democrats more than Republicans to manage inflation, compared to 38% who placed greater trust in the GOP. Engin Akyurt / Pexels
Analysts Say Economic Concerns Could Drive Further Democratic Gains
“Historically, voters have tended to trust Republicans more than Democrats on the economy. If voter concerns aren't addressed, however, Democrats will continue to make gains on the generic ballot,” Napolitan News Service noted. Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash