Vanderbilt Poll: MAGA Republicans Outnumber Traditional GOP Supporters

New findings from a Vanderbilt University poll show that a majority of Republicans across the U.S. identify as supporters of the Make America Great Again movement. 

The poll, conducted by The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, found that 52 percent of Republicans surveyed aligned more closely with the MAGA movement than with the traditional GOP. When the poll was first conducted in 2023, that number was just 37 percent. And currently in Tennessee, MAGA support stands at 60 percent. 

The poll asked Americans across party lines about their approval of political figures like President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Elon Musk, head of Department of Government Efficiency. Among those who responded, Trump had the highest approval rating at 41 percent — with a 48 percent disapproval rate and roughly 10 percent on the fence about the president. 

Musk had the lowest approval rating at 28 percent, just under Biden’s 29 percent. Harris saw a 35 percent approval rate, compared to 33 percent approving of Vance. However, 47 percent of respondents disapproved of Harris compared to 37 percent disapproving of Vance. 

Vanderbilt Poll: Tennessee Sees Increase in MAGA Supporters

University survey also notes increased approval for state lawmakers, majority of pro-choice citizens

There are mixed feelings among the public on some of Trump’s early policy decisions. Seventy-five percent of survey respondents said they support deportation for individuals with a criminal record, while 50 percent support deportation for those without a criminal record. 

A majority of the general public disapprove of Trump’s tariffs. But among Republicans, about 70 percent are supportive of the trade policy while 80 percent of Democrats disapprove. 

Three in four Americans oppose Trump’s pardons of those convicted of crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol. A majority of traditional Republicans oppose the pardons, but 55 percent of MAGA Republicans expressed support. 

An increased confidence in universities and scientists is also highlighted in the poll. Fifty-four percent of Americans expressed confidence in scientists, up from 48 percent in 2023. Public confidence in universities increased from 31 percent to 38 percent. 

Following Trump’s first month in office, more than a third of those polled said they support a reduction in presidential powers, a 12-point leap from the number of the 2023 poll. 

Confidence remains low in the national news media, large tech companies and the federal government, all polling below 20 percent. 

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.