Trump's Honeymoon Over? Even MAGA Voters Turn on Three Key Issues

Just two weeks into his presidency, Donald Trump is already losing his core supporters. The cracks in what seemed like an unshakeable MAGA coalition are widening, driven by what conservative radio host John Fredericks calls "the biggest mistake he's made."

The warning signs are everywhere. In focus groups, longtime Trump voters express "sadness and confusion." Poll numbers show growing disapproval even among Republicans. And the issues driving this shift reveal something deeper about the gap between campaign promises and governing reality.

The Epstein Files: A Promise Broken

Trump's biggest self-inflicted wound comes from his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. During his 2024 campaign, he promised to release all documents from investigations into the convicted sex trafficker and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Many right-wing voters believed these files would expose a "dark global conspiracy" among celebrities and politicians.

Instead, Trump released only a handful of documents after taking office, then dismissed interest in the case as a "Democrat-led hoax." Congress had to pass bipartisan legislation mandating the release of remaining unclassified records, which Trump signed more than two months ago.

The damage was swift. A recent CNN poll found two-thirds of all US adults—and 42 percent of Republicans—believe the federal government is intentionally withholding information. "I really don't know what the hell Pam Bondi is doing in there," Fredericks told reporters. "The Epstein files should have been released immediately, whatever's in there."

Immigration: When Enforcement Goes Too Far

Trump's immigration crackdown represents another major miscalculation. He entered office with strong public support for border security, but most Americans now disapprove of his approach. The shift is particularly striking among Republicans, with roughly one-fifth saying they'd like to abolish ICE altogether.

Sarah Longwell, publisher of the center-right news site The Bulwark, runs weekly focus groups with various voter segments. She says Republicans who voted for border security and criminal deportations have been rattled by stories coming out of Minneapolis and other cities.

"They did not want bands of masked agents roaming the streets, knocking down doors, waiting outside of schools, holding kids as bait, deporting people who had been here for 20 years and hadn't broken any other laws," Longwell explained.

The emotional response goes beyond policy disagreements. "There's a lot of sadness and confusion in the voters," she added. "It's not just, do they side with the officers? Do they side with the people who were killed? It's a lot more like: 'This is bad. This feels bad. It looks bad. I don't like it.'"

The Affordability Crisis That Won't Go Away

But Trump's biggest challenge remains the cost of basic goods and services. He campaigned heavily on affordability, promising to bring down inflation and "make America affordable again." Initially, voters seemed willing to wait for those promises to bear fruit.

That patience is evaporating. "There is a heavy sense of betrayal from voters," Longwell observed. Six in 10 Americans now disapprove of Trump's handling of cost-of-living issues. A recent New York Times poll found that even among Republicans, fewer than 10 percent would call the economy "excellent."

"They elected him for affordability, getting prices down, fixing the economy, getting housing, getting interest rates down, doing the things they need to do to improve their quality of life," Fredericks said. "That hasn't come yet. And the window is closing going to the midterms."

The Broader Pattern: Expectations vs. Reality

These three issues share a common thread: the collision between campaign rhetoric and governing complexity. Trump promised simple solutions to complex problems, and his base believed him. Now, faced with the messy reality of implementation, even loyal supporters are questioning their choice.

The speed of this shift is unprecedented. Previous presidents enjoyed a traditional 100-day honeymoon period. Trump is facing serious pushback from his own voters after just two weeks. Social media amplifies every disappointment, while 24/7 news cycles leave no time for patience.

Yet it's worth noting that Trump has survived similar crises before. His political resilience often defies conventional wisdom. The question isn't whether he faces challenges—it's whether these particular challenges will stick.