RNC Addresses Trump’s Falling Ratings

Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters is pushing back against growing media attention surrounding President Donald Trump’s recent drop in approval ratings, arguing that the president still holds tremendous influence inside the Republican Party.

During an interview on Fox News, Gruters said Trump’s recent success in Republican primary races proves the GOP base continues to stand firmly behind the president — even as national polls show signs of weakness among independent and swing voters.

“The Republican base strongly supports President Trump,” Gruters explained. “He remains the leader of the Republican Party, and when he endorses candidates, Republican voters listen.”

The comments come as several national polls suggest Trump’s approval numbers have fallen during mounting economic concerns tied to the ongoing Iran conflict and rising energy prices.

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline climbed to roughly $4.46 this week, adding new financial pressure on working Americans, retirees, and middle-class families already dealing with inflation and higher living costs.

For many voters, rising fuel prices have become a major concern heading into the next election cycle.

At the same time, recent polling averages reported by RealClearPolitics showed Trump facing increasing disapproval nationwide. Another survey conducted by American Research Group found a majority of respondents unhappy with the president’s overall job performance.

Still, Trump allies argue national polls do not tell the full story.

Instead, Republicans are pointing to a growing list of primary victories by Trump-backed candidates as evidence that the president remains the most powerful figure in conservative politics.

One of the biggest examples came in Texas this week, where Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated longtime Sen. John Cornyn in a closely watched Republican runoff election.

Trump endorsed Paxton shortly before the race, giving the conservative challenger a major boost with grassroots Republican voters.

After the victory, Trump praised Paxton while also offering respectful comments toward Cornyn, describing the longtime senator as a friend.

However, the president has shown far less patience with Republicans he believes have worked against his agenda.

Trump sharply criticized Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy after the senator lost his primary race earlier this month. Cassidy previously voted to convict Trump during impeachment proceedings connected to the Jan. 6 Capitol unrest and later opposed the nomination of Casey Means for surgeon general.

The president also targeted Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie after repeated disagreements over foreign policy and the administration’s approach to Iran.

Trump publicly urged Republican voters to back retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in Kentucky’s GOP primary, calling Massie ineffective and out of touch with the party’s direction.

Gallrein ultimately defeated Massie, marking yet another major win for a Trump-endorsed candidate.

Despite negative headlines and national polling concerns, Republican leaders continue to argue that Trump’s grip on the conservative movement remains as strong as ever.

For millions of Republican voters, recent primary elections suggest the president still controls the future direction of the GOP — and that his endorsement remains one of the most powerful forces in American politics.