Polling News

Sentiment Of Reluctant Trump Voters

August 24, 2017

FiveThirtyEight.com highlighted a recent SurveyMonkey poll of voters who reluctantly supported President Donald Trump in 2016.  These voters are generally white, middle-aged, educated, and more likely to buck the Republican Party when they have doubts.  Despite their concerns on Election Day, they set aside their doubts and supported Mr. Trump.  How are they feeling about his administration and the country’s general direction today?

Mr. Trump’s approval rating is still above 50% with these reluctant supporters.  According to the poll, 63% of reluctant Trump voters approve of the way he is handling his job, while 37% disapprove.  By comparison, 95% of voters who were excited to vote for the president approve of the job he is doing while just 4% disapprove.   

These reluctant Trumpers have a pessimistic view of America’s future, however.  Only 37% of them believe the country is headed in the right direction, compared to 61% of excited Trump voters.  Sixty percent of reluctant Trump voters say the U.S. is headed in the wrong direction, compared to just 36% of enthusiastic Trump voters.

Looking to 2020, these voters are split on whether they would support Mr. Trump for re-election.  Forty-eight percent say they would vote to re-elect President Trump (12% definitely; 36% probably), and 45% would vote for someone else (20% definitely; 25% probably).  In 2016, many of these voters were likely driven to Mr. Trump because they disliked Hillary Clinton more and she gave them no reason to back her.  To keep them in the Republican column in 2018 and 2020, both the president and the Republican Congress must give them reasons to continue supporting them.

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
October 16, 2025 |
Polling News
Crime has been a top issue for Americans the last few election cycles and Democrats have been seen as notoriously weak on the issue. ...
Placeholder polling news
October 09, 2025 |
Polling News
At this point in the 2018 Midterm Election cycle, there were plenty of signs that Republicans were marching into a debacle. The 2026 Midterm Elections do not have those same warning signs, as pointed out by NBC News’ Steve Kornacki, and Republicans likely...
Placeholder polling news
September 25, 2025 |
Polling News
A new Reuters/Ispos poll found President Donald Trump’s approval rating declined again this month and is now 41%. More interestingly, however, was the responses on which party has the better for specific issues. ...
Placeholder polling news
September 18, 2025 |
Polling News
Republicans must grapple with some messaging nuances around entitlement reform and the economy before the Midterms, but NBC News highlighted some good news for the GOP. ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance