Much has been made about President Trump’s base — the ones who would support him even if he shot somebody on Fifth Avenue. Among Republicans, the president enjoys an 82 percent approval rating, according to the latest New York Times/Siena poll, even as his overall approval ratings have reached new lows.
But there is more doubt among his base than what is generally acknowledged. In fact, one-third of the voters who approve of the president’s job performance also say they disapprove of his handling of various issues, including the economy, Iran, relations with Israel or immigration.
What could account for that discrepancy, and could this group represent a faint crack in the Republican bulwark?
In interviews with two dozen of these loyal but skeptical Trump supporters, many resent their depiction as knee-jerk MAGA voters.
Nick Works, 50, a pastor living in Gaithersburg, Md., dislikes the stereotype of Trump supporters as unshakably devoted to the president.
“I wish we could live in a world,” he said, “where we could admit that you disagree with someone, but still admit they have some good ideas.”