For years, strength and decisiveness were at the core of Donald Trump’s appeal. They were central to his image and to the loyalty of the MAGA movement that carried him into office. Now, new polling suggests that even many of his own supporters may no longer see him that way.
A recent Gallup survey shows a clear shift. In early 2017, during Trump’s first term, 59 percent of Americans described him as strong and decisive. By December 2025, that number had fallen to 48 percent. More voters now say that strength and decisiveness do not apply to him than those who say they do.
This drop is not small, and it matters. Trump’s political identity has always been built around the idea that he is tougher, bolder, and more commanding than his opponents. When that perception weakens, it cuts directly into the foundation of MAGA loyalty.
A Warning Sign for Republicans
Trump is not running in the 2026 midterm elections, but his standing still shapes the Republican Party. The GOP holds narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. In the House, Republicans lead 220 to 213, with two vacancies. In the Senate, the margin is 53 to 47.
If voters who once believed strongly in Trump’s leadership now feel less confident, that doubt can easily spill over to Republican candidates who tie themselves closely to him. Even a small shift could cost the party its ability to push its agenda in the second half of Trump’s term.
Declining Confidence Over Time
The contrast between 2017 and 2025 is striking. In the earlier poll, only 40 percent said Trump was not strong and decisive. Today, that view is held by a majority of respondents.
The polling methods were similar, with both surveys questioning just over 1,000 people and carrying the same margin of error. This makes the comparison hard to dismiss as statistical noise. The change reflects a real erosion in how voters view Trump’s leadership.
Policy Decisions and Public Reaction
During his second term, Trump has faced criticism over several high-profile decisions. These include authorizing National Guard deployments in multiple U.S. cities and overseeing a broader immigration crackdown.
He has also drawn backlash over his handling of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and over rising tensions with Venezuela tied to a military buildup. Together, these issues appear to have weighed on public confidence and contributed to the perception that Trump’s leadership is no longer as firm or reassuring as it once was.
MAGA Loyalty Under Strain
Trump has brushed off negative polling, calling it biased and fake. But polls do not shift unless opinions do. The decline in his “strong and decisive” rating suggests that even within the movement that once viewed him as unshakable, doubts are creeping in.
For MAGA voters, strength is not just a trait. It is the reason for their loyalty. If that belief continues to fade, Trump may still command attention and devotion, but not with the same authority that once defined his political power.
This article is an opinion analysis based on reporting originally published by Newsweek.
