NATIONAL PULSE – A divided America grades the president’s performance

Non-Maga GOP voters break with Trump on key issues; half of Democrats unhappy with their own party

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By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE

January 22, 2026 – The impacts of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first year of his current term appear to be creating serious fissures between MAGA and non-MAGA Republican voters.

New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds those who align themselves with the MAGA movement and those who don’t holding widely divergent views of Trump and his exploits.

While the MAGA-aligned find little to criticize Trump over and Democrats find little to praise him for, Republicans who eschew the MAGA label appear to be experiencing both elation and disappointment. Reducing illegal immigration at the southern border, removing Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela, and ICE enforcement actions are each significantly praised by Republicans of all kinds.

But two core, foundational issues are frustrating non-MAGA Republicans: health care and the cost of living.

Asked if they’re please or upset about both during the first year of the Trump presidency, non-MAGA Republicans score a minus 30 on the cost of living (24% pleased, 54% upset) and a minus 20 on health care (22% pleased, 43% upset). These are complimented by negative scores on the handling of the Epstein files (net score of -26) and the discussion of plans to annex Greenland (-23). Perhaps the largest divide of all between these two groups of Republicans, however, is in the role of the executive. MAGA Republicans are overwhelmingly supportive of Trump’s propensity for bypassing congress in many of his dealings (+69), whether with Venezuela, tariffs, or other actions. For non-MAGA Republican, this is a source of more consternation (+2).

As he heads into his second year, 37 per cent of Americans say they approve of the first one, while 56 per cent disapprove.

Despite criticism of Trump, just 21 per cent approve of the job done by the Democrats over the past 12 months, while 64 per cent disapprove. Among Democrats, more disapprove (50%) than approve (41%).

More Key Findings:

• Trump’s approval: MAGA Republicans – 93%, non-MAGA Republicans – 69%, Democrats – 6%, Independents/Other – 18%

• Two issues of the 17 receive more praise than criticism – reducing illegal immigration at the southern border and the performance of the stock market

• The most criticized issues are discussions of annexing Greenland, handling of the cost of living, handling of health care, and the Epstein files

• Vice President JD Vance garners the highest level of approval among major administration members, at 35 per cent. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller fares worst at 21 per cent

• The Senate (17%), the House of Representatives (22%) and the Supreme Court (24%) all have poor approval levels
• The “cost of living and inflation” looms as the top issue facing the country. Half of Americans (53%) choose this as a top concern, 20-points ahead of the next most chosen issue, health care (33%).

Link to the poll here: www.angusreid.org/

Download .PDF with detailed tables, graphs and methodology.