A new survey found that support for President Donald Trump remains strong among white evangelical Christians.
A PBS News/NPR/Marist poll found that 66% approved of Trump’s performance, while nearly three-quarters planned to support Republican congressional candidates.
President Donald Trump holds a press conference with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Monday, May 12, 2025, in the Roosevelt Room. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks at a Military Mothers’ Day event, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in the East Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
However, interviews with white evangelical Christians suggest trust in the president is faltering, with what was once a guaranteed voter base for the GOP leaning towards the Democratic Party ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Loyalty with Limits
At Village Church in Blythewood, South Carolina, voter Cynthia Carroll told PBS NewsHour that she had supported Trump but was reconsidering her political allegiance.
“I was a Republican. I voted [for] Donald Trump,” she said. “And now I’m more on the fence between conservative and a Democrat.”
Carroll is one of an increasing number of evangelical Christians weighing whether to vote Democratic.
Nevertheless, this demographic is more likely than others to support President Trump.
In the PBS News/NPR/Marist poll released Tuesday, October 27, 66% of white evangelical Christians approved of President Trump’s performance in office—26 percentage points higher than the overall cohort of Americans who said the same.
It’s even better news for Republican hopefuls who may be fearful that the Trump-centric national campaign is damaging their election prospects.
Almost three-quarters of white evangelical Christians said they plan to vote for their GOP candidate next week.
An Unlikely Union
The thrice-married real estate mogul, who was convicted just over two years ago for hush money payments to pornographic actress Stormy Daniels, is perhaps not the first politician who springs to mind when considering Christian candidates.
However, Trump’s actions in office have outweighed those outside it for many white evangelical voters.
His appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices helped secure the majority that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
Village Church pastor Erik Estep told PBS that abortion is one issue where many of his congregants are aligned, even if they disagree on other issues.
“Some people have different perspectives, but there’s not much of a different perspective when it comes to issues of abortion and life. I think the Bible’s pretty clear,” said Estep. He also noted that, in his sermon, he does not endorse specific candidates or a party. “We think that falls on pastors. If you want to respond and to get out and to be heard, there has to be some sort of motivation,” he added.
Democratic Christians
Some Democratic candidates are attempting to reach Christian voters through an explicitly religious message.
In Kansas, United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton is challenging Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
Hamilton has emphasized bipartisanship and decency, making his faith central to his campaign—a message echoed by Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian.
However, a religious background is only part of the battle for Democratic candidates seeking to win on Tuesday.
Convincing dissatisfied Christians not to vote Republican is one challenge; convincing them to vote for a Democrat is another.
Trump Goes on the Attack
Opinion polls suggesting a Democratic victory on November 3 have forced the president and the GOP to focus election efforts on traditional Republican strongholds.
Trump recently visited South Carolina — a once-guaranteed seat that could flip Democrat next week.
In supporting Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of deceased Senator Lindsay, Trump launched an attack on Democratic candidate Annie Andrew.
About the Author: Shay Bottomley
Shay Bottomley is a British journalist. He has written for the Western Standard, Business Insider, Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, Windsor Express, Berkshire Live and Southend Echo.
