Rural support for President Donald Trump has declined amid rising concerns over fuel and food prices, according to a recent poll conducted in early June. The Reuters/Ipsos survey, which included 4,531 U.S. adults nationwide, shows Trump’s approval rating among rural Americans falling to 50%, down from 60% in February 2025 shortly after he assumed office. Disapproval in rural areas rose to 48% from 34% during the same period.
This shift is notable given the historically strong backing Trump has enjoyed in rural communities, where he won by a margin of 40 points in the 2024 presidential election—an increase from 31 points in 2020 and 25 points in 2016, according to Pew Research Center exit polls. The decline in rural approval could have significant consequences for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections this November, where the party faces tight contests to maintain its slim majorities in Congress.
The poll’s findings highlight dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of the economy and cost of living issues. Just 31% of rural respondents approved of his management of these concerns, while 61% disapproved, a marked decline from early 2025, when approval stood at 45%. The continuing rise in energy and grocery costs is a key factor affecting voter sentiment in these areas.
Residents of rural communities, who generally drive longer distances than their urban counterparts, have been more exposed to increasing gas prices. Federal data from 2022 indicates rural Americans travel about 30 miles daily on average, compared to 17 miles for those in urban centers. These higher transportation costs have compounded the financial strain for many.
Brian Rauch, a 42-year-old Air Force veteran and Stevensville, Montana resident, exemplifies this growing discontent. Rauch has been a consistent Trump supporter since 2016 but now expresses frustration over rising fuel and food prices. He also questions the logic behind the administration’s position on the conflict with Iran, noting his concerns about national security and economic impacts. Additionally, Rauch raises environmental worries related to the rapid expansion of data centers in Montana, which he fears may threaten local water resources.
Similarly, Bryan Shaver, a 62-year-old insurance agent from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, who voted for Trump in 2024, cited sustained high food prices as a source of frustration. Shaver, a longtime Republican who previously worked for Senator Roger Wicker, warned that these economic pressures could undermine the party’s prospects in the upcoming midterms.
Rural Americans are further challenged by difficulties in the agricultural sector, including increased fertilizer costs exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Iran, low crop prices, and restricted exports linked to trade policies from Trump’s earlier administration.
Overall, the combination of economic burdens and policy concerns appears to be eroding the strong rural base that has been critical to Trump’s electoral successes. With midterm elections approaching, these shifts could affect political dynamics both in rural regions and nationally.