Here’s what conservatives need to know.
President Donald Trump continues to command intense loyalty from his MAGA base, but new polling suggests that support may be less unified on one key issue that hits close to home for many voters: health care costs.
A new national survey from the Angus Reid Institute finds that Republicans who identify with the MAGA movement overwhelmingly approve of Trump’s first year back in office. However, when asked whether his policies have helped or hurt their own household health care expenses, responses were noticeably more divided—standing out as one of the few areas where approval was not clearly positive.
MAGA Support Remains Strong—With One Caveat
The data shows that MAGA Republicans continue to praise Trump’s performance on border security, executive leadership, and economic direction overall. But unlike immigration and national security, health care costs did not receive the same level of enthusiastic support, signaling a potential vulnerability as economic pressures remain front and center for voters.
By comparison, Republicans who do not identify as MAGA expressed far more dissatisfaction across a range of everyday economic concerns. Non-MAGA Republicans rated the cost of living at minus 30 and health care at minus 20, indicating deep frustration with affordability issues that could shape turnout and persuasion heading into the midterm elections.
Poll Highlights a Growing Intra-Party Divide
The survey of 1,838 U.S. adults found a widening gap inside the Republican Party. While MAGA-aligned voters largely approved of Trump’s use of executive authority and policy direction, non-MAGA Republicans were significantly more critical—particularly when it came to inflation, housing costs, and medical expenses.
Overall job approval numbers reflected a deeply polarized electorate. Thirty-seven percent of Americans approved of Trump’s first year of his current term, while 56 percent disapproved.
Among partisan groups:
- MAGA Republicans: 93% approval
- Non-MAGA Republicans: 69% approval
- Democrats: 6% approval
- Independents and others: 18% approval
Which Issues Voters Approved—and Rejected
Out of 17 policy areas tested, only two received more praise than criticism nationwide: reducing illegal immigration at the southern border and stock market performance.
The most negatively rated topics included:
- Cost of living
- Health care affordability
- Discussions about Greenland
- Handling of the Epstein files
The poll also revealed an internal GOP split over executive power. MAGA Republicans strongly supported Trump’s willingness to act without Congress, while non-MAGA Republicans were far more skeptical.
Cost of Living Tops Voter Priorities
When respondents were asked to identify the most important national issues, 53 percent cited cost of living and inflation, placing it well ahead of health care, which ranked second at 33 percent. The results underscore how pocketbook issues continue to dominate voter concerns as economic uncertainty lingers.
The survey was conducted online from January 16–20, 2026, and weighted to reflect the U.S. population by region, age, gender, income, and education. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.
White House Pushes Back on Polling
The White House has previously criticized negative polling, arguing that Trump’s agenda continues to resonate with voters despite what officials describe as biased or misleading surveys.
Trump himself has repeatedly questioned unfavorable polls, stating that many were promoted by hostile media outlets while more accurate surveys were ignored.
Bottom Line
While President Trump’s MAGA base remains solidly behind him, the poll suggests that health care costs and overall affordability could test Republican unity—especially among non-MAGA voters. As the midterms approach, how Republicans address these economic concerns may play a critical role in shaping the political landscape.