Overview
- Data journalist G. Elliott Morris reports Republican identification dropped from 46% in 2024 to 40% in Q4 2025, triple the decline seen during Trump’s first term.
- The polling comparison indicates broader second-term erosion across approval ratings and vote-intention measures.
- Salon’s Amanda Marcotte frames the shift as quiet defections by Trump-aligned voters seeking distance without overtly renouncing the movement.
- Commentary warns that reduced party identification could dampen GOP turnout, donations, and advocacy even if most defectors do not back Democrats.
- Coverage links the strain to high-profile enforcement actions in Minneapolis, including an ICE operation and the killing of Renee Nicole Good, while noting the defections may prove temporary.