Trump’s Blue-Collar Firewall Shows Signs of Collapse in New Polls

President Donald Trump is losing support among white working-class voters as prices rise, manufacturing jobs decline, and new polling reveals that one of his strongest voter groups is turning against him ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

This shift poses a challenge for Trump and Republicans. White voters without college degrees helped him win back the White House in 2024, capturing about two-thirds of that demographic.

However, recent polling mentioned by The Daily Beast indicates that many of these voters now disapprove of his performance, primarily due to economic concerns.

A CBS News poll found that 54% of white voters without college degrees disapprove of Trump’s performance, according to The Daily Beast. This group also gave him a negative rating regarding the economy, a key issue that supported his campaign in 2024.

Trump won the presidency last year by promising to lower prices, rebuild manufacturing, and protect blue-collar workers from trade deals and foreign competition. Instead, his administration has faced growing frustration over rising fuel costs, inflation, and job losses in critical industries.

Manufacturing has seen a loss of 65,000 jobs since Trump took office in January 2025, according to the Daily Beast report.

These losses coincide with the White House defending tariff increases and foreign policy choices that have created economic unease among voters who once saw Trump as stronger on the economy than Democrats.

Gas prices have added to the political fallout. Reuters reported that many Americans are blaming Trump for rising fuel prices connected to the conflict with Iran and pressures in global energy markets.

The Daily Beast indicated that national gas prices have surpassed $4.50 per gallon, with prices over $5 in several states.

This pressure is reflected in various national surveys. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released this month shows Trump’s overall approval rating at 35%, with support from Republicans also weakening.

Pew Research Center polling revealed a decline in his job approval, with many Americans disapproving of his tariff increases.

Earlier this year, Pew reported that 60% of Americans disapproved of the administration’s tariff increases, while 37% approved.

While tariffs are a key part of Trump’s economic policy, they have also given Democrats and labor leaders a chance to attack him as voters feel the impact of rising costs at stores and gas stations.

The Daily Beast reported on interviews with voters and union officials in swing-state areas, including Ohio, where some former Trump supporters now feel his economic promises have not improved their lives. Others mentioned they might skip future elections instead of supporting either party.

The polling indicates that Democrats have not fully secured these voters. Trump still enjoys strong support within the Republican Party, and his endorsed candidates continue to do well in GOP primaries. However, the data reveals a weakened position among the group that formed the backbone of his working-class coalition.

CNN analyst Harry Enten noted that if the trend persists among non-college voters, it could lead to serious issues for Republicans by November. This group is still significant enough in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio to sway competitive House, Senate, and statewide races.

Trump and his supporters claim that his agenda requires time to bear fruit and that tariffs, immigration enforcement, and energy policies will eventually bolster the economy. The White House has also cited foreign policy pressures and global instability as reasons for recent price hikes.

For voters facing rising costs for gas, groceries, and monthly bills, the political issue is more straightforward. Trump campaigned on affordability, and new polls show that more of his blue-collar supporters now evaluate him based on the prices they encounter daily.