Is MAGA Falling Apart? President Donald Trump’s grip over the Republican Party is at risk, with an internal crisis now brewing and the party’s highest-profile figures looking for a way forward that could potentially prevent another electoral disaster in the 2028 presidential election. Tuesday’s midterm elections saw Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress and win historic victories in historically Republican states, and with President Trump officially in his lame-duck period, GOP figures are now seriously considering their options.
Reuters reported on Sunday, November 8, that prominent MAGA supporters are beginning to turn on the president and Republican leaders who support him, asking whether Trump’s political movement can realistically survive the final two years of his presidency.
Social Security Check. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Social Security Check. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The findings come as Republicans begin to openly discuss how to rebuild their party ahead of the 2028 presidential election, with disagreements now rife over everything from immigration and the economy to the war with Iran and even the president’s attitude.
MAGA Supporters Turn On Trump
According to Reuters’ reporting this weekend, a substantial number of Trump supporters are publicly blaming the president for the Republicans’ massive defeat. Speaking to Reuters in Dallas after the election, Michael Little, a 59-year-old businessman who voted for the president three times, expressed his frustration with the Republican leader.
“People are…off at Trump. Trump has cost us,” Little said.
The same report also described findings from an analysis PeakMetrics conducted on reactions to the election on social media. The report found that, among self-described MAGA loyalists, more than 20% questioned the movement’s leadership and the direction Trump is taking it. Roughly half of those dissatisfied Trump voters continued to support MAGA but no longer backed President Trump as the movement’s leader.
The analysis examined almost 13,000 posts drawn from approximately 4.6 million Trump-related comments on Reddit and X.
The findings suggest that President Trump’s movement still has significant support, but some of its most committed supporters are now questioning the president, his personality, his intentions, and his possible future involvement.
Iran War Divides Republicans
Easily the biggest disagreement among supporters of the president is the Iran War. The conflict, which President Trump envisioned lasting only weeks, has become hugely unpopular as Americans grapple with high fuel prices, rising inflation, poor economic conditions, and more. Vice President JD Vance has even recognized the threat the war poses to the party, blaming the conflict for the Republican defeat in a long statement issued on social media on November 4. Reports have since suggested that the president may not have even known the statement was being written, let alone published—but has since, uncharacteristically, defended the vice president despite his criticism.
A formation of four U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, fly over the Gulf of America, Nov. 21, 2025. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink flew in the backseat of the lead jet as part of his visit to Eglin AFB. The flight oriented Meink to F-15EX tactics, techniques and procedures being developed and advanced by the 53d Wing to include weapons capacity, next-gen survivability, and next-generation radars, sensors and networking capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Blake Wiles)
The vice president’s position differs substantially from that of President Trump, who continually defends the war and insists that any problems will be short-term and worth it to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon.
Trump Isn’t Changing Course
President Donald Trump is not changing course, and is banking on his belief that he can win the war with Iran and save his political movement — and, in turn, America. On Friday, November 6, President Trump replaced White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller, a longtime, trusted adviser and architect of much of the administration’s immigration policy. MAGA supporters have overwhelmingly welcomed that appointment, but the news also suggests the president is now preparing to confront his political opponents rather than make deals—as he initially suggested in the immediate aftermath of the elections.
Trump is effectively preparing to build a war cabinet, and could now spend the next two years fighting with Democrats to preserve his legacy and prevent their control of Congress from undoing everything he has done as president so far. To do that, he’ll use his veto powers.
The Leadership Battles Begin
The divisions within the Republican Party are already evident and could quickly grow, with Republicans now preparing to return to Washington this week to choose between Reps. Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan to lead the party as a minority caucus in the House. Another battle is underway within the Republican National Committee, where co-chair KC Crosbie has announced plans to seek the chairmanship. Trump, however, has already endorsed current chairman Joe Gruters to remain in his position.
Then there’s the 2028 presidential election, with primary season expected to start soon. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has already called for an open Republican primary rather than automatically backing Vice President JD Vance. Former Florida Rep. Carlos Curbelo has also publicly suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio may be better positioned to win, given his ability to win back Hispanic voters.
A battle for control of the Republican Party is coming, and for the first time in years, Trump’s chances of winning look slim.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
