Trump Loses Non-College White Voters as Disapproval Hits 54% on Economic Strain
Updated
Updated · CNN · May 18
Trump Loses Non-College White Voters as Disapproval Hits 54% on Economic Strain
9 articles · Updated · CNN · May 18
54% of non-college White Americans now disapprove of Trump in the latest CBS News/YouGov poll, with most recent surveys putting disapproval for his core voting bloc at 51% to 54%.
49% approval in CNN’s latest poll marks a sharp slide from 63% in February 2025, flipping Trump’s net rating among these voters from +26 to -2.
56% in CNN say Trump’s policies have worsened the economy, 67% say the Iran war hurt their finances, and 56% say his tariffs have had a negative financial impact.
55% to 38% is the GOP’s current average lead over Democrats among these voters in recent generic-ballot polling, down from the 61%-37% margin Republicans posted in the 2018 midterms when Democrats won the House.
2026 midterm risk is rising because this group has been the backbone of Trump’s coalition, and any Republican support below 60% would be historically weak in the Trump era.
Is the conflict over tariffs and interest rates pushing the U.S. economy toward a major recession?
How will surging healthcare and energy prices impact the financial stability of American families this year?
As tariffs and war inflate household costs, what is the breaking point for American consumers?
Trump’s Base Erodes: Non-College White Approval Plummets 22 Points, Reshaping 2026 Political Landscape
Overview
As of May 2026, President Donald Trump faces a major crisis as support from non-college-educated white voters—his most important base—has sharply declined. This shift signals a potential collapse of the coalition that brought him to power in 2016 and sustained his influence. Trump's overall disapproval rating has reached a historic high of 66 percent, reflecting widespread discontent that now affects even his most loyal supporters. The erosion of this crucial group marks a turning point, highlighting deep challenges for both Trump and his party as they approach the 2026 midterm elections.