The growing scandals and chaotic policy decisions surrounding Trump’s presidency are deepening divisions within the GOP and threatening to weaken his leadership. What was once a unified MAGA movement is now unraveling, as internal conflicts and mounting controversies expose cracks in the administration’s foundation.

One of the key sources of tension is Trump’s controversial tariff policies, which have sparked significant discord within his team. While Trump remains steadfast in using tariffs to reshape the global economy, his administration is plagued by internal disarray. Public feuds, such as the one between Trump’s top trade advisor, Peter Navarro, and billionaire Elon Musk, have further complicated the administration’s stance. Musk, whose businesses are impacted by the tariffs, openly criticized Navarro, calling him “dumber than a sack of bricks,” highlighting the growing fractures within the White House.

National security has also become a flashpoint. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s mishandling of sensitive information, twice leaking classified material, first to a journalist at The Atlantic and then to friends and family, has further damaged the administration’s credibility. These reckless actions have contributed to a loss of public trust, as reflected in recent polling data. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s public approval rating has edged down to 42%, the lowest since his return to the White House, with Americans expressing growing wariness about his expanding influence over government and private institutions.

The influence of far-right figures like Laura Loomer is further stoking divisions within the administration. Loomer’s continued influence has led to the ousting of key Pentagon officials, fueling the internal chaos. These tensions have also rippled out to the broader GOP, where a growing split between MAGA loyalists and traditional Republicans is becoming more apparent.

Recent polling data sheds light on these shifts within the electorate. Some 57% of Americans, including one-third of Republicans, disagree with Trump’s moves to withhold funding from universities he deems too liberal, and 66% believe the president should not control premier cultural institutions like national museums and theaters.

Additionally, 59% of respondents, including a third of Republicans, said America was losing credibility on the global stage, and 75% believe Trump should not run for a third term, a path he has expressed interest in despite being barred by the U.S. Constitution.

These numbers illustrate a growing disconnect between Trump’s actions and the desires of the American public. As his approval rating continues to slip and his policies face increasing opposition, the ongoing fallout from these scandals is set to define his presidency and could have lasting consequences for the GOP.

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