The growing chasm between MAGA and non-MAGA Republicans on Trump's economy
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There's a growing split between MAGA Republicans and non-MAGA GOP voters on the state of the economy, according to research firm Global Strategy Group's nationwide study of 1,000 registered voters conducted in early September.
Why it matters: The results highlight a growing divide in sentiment among Republicans amid Trump's shifting economic policies.
By the numbers: MAGA supporting Republican men over 35 are the most optimistic voters.
- Nearly one in four MAGA-supporting Republicans don't like tariffs.
- There's now a staggering 66-point gap between MAGA Republicans and other Republican Party voters on the state of the economy.
- Nearly half of non-MAGA Republicans think the economy has gotten worse this year, while the overwhelming majority of MAGA Republicans think the economy has improved.
The survey first asked respondents their political party and then asked if they support the MAGA movement to differentiate between MAGA and non-MAGA Republicans.
- Over 75% of the non-MAGA supporting voters surveyed had voted for Trump.
What they're saying: Tariffs emerged as the central villain, with 66% of voters saying levies will raise costs and hurt businesses.
- "At this point in time, the debate is, is pretty settled, with voters feeling like tariffs are contributing to rising costs and will harm businesses rather than, you know, fix the economy and create jobs," said Katie Drapcho, vice president of research at GSG.
Zoom out: Even as MAGA Republicans have turned upbeat about today's economy, most now believe the next generation will be worse off financially.
- Young voters are feeling uniquely squeezed, emphasizing inflation and stagnant wages as top concerns and showing high worries about unemployment, which mirrors the economic data indicating youth unemployment spiking.
Zoom in: Women who voted for Trump are more negative on the economy than men who voted for him.
- The same divergence in attitudes is true among men and women who voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris, with women Harris voters feeling worse about the economy.
- Women's concerns about wages and health care costs contributed to these views.
- This matches the latest economic data, which indicates the wage gap has gotten worse more recently after steady progress, and women's participation in the labor market is also subsiding.
What we're watching: How Trump's base continues to react to his economic policies.
