Trump Archives - North Star Opinion Research

“Bringing home the bacon might be one way to distinguish yourself from the President.”

Government Spending Republicans Trump Whit AyresOctober 30, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments to Politico regarding earmarks: “When the president’s job approval is in the 30s, it is helpful for Republican candidates to be able to create some distance from the president. It’s challenging to do that without encouraging the president’s wrath,” Republican pollster Whit Ayres said in an interview. “But focusing on bringing home...

“Cultural issues are still present but they don’t carry the same juice.”

Cultural Issues Trump Whit AyresOctober 29, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments in USA Today on social issues in the 2026 elections: Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster and strategist, said the avalanche of anti-trans and other cultural attacks are unlikely to prove as potent for Republicans in the 2026 midterms as they did in the 2024 election. “Right now, the cultural issues that worked...

“Most Republican lawmakers are pretty well established as being against Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.”

Jon McHenry Republicans Russia TrumpOctober 29, 2026

Jon McHenry discussing President Trump’s negotiations with Russia on NPR: Jon McHenry, a Republican pollster, told me it also puts a number of GOP lawmakers in a difficult position. JON MCHENRY: Because on the one hand, they don’t want to cross or seem to cross President Trump, who’s really important to midterm turnout. But on...

“There’s not an easy answer.”

Dan Judy Independent Voters Trump Voter TurnoutSeptember 1, 2026

Dan Judy’s comments in The Hill on midterm strategy for Republicans and the visibility of President Trump: “There’s not an easy answer,” said Republican strategist Dan Judy, who is sometimes critical of Trump. “If you say, ‘I don’t want him anywhere near here’ you really do risk not getting that turnout boost that you have...

“A lot of the attraction of farmers to Trump was cultural as well as economic, and that hasn’t gone away.”

Trump Whit AyresJune 26, 2026

Whit Ayres appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition to discuss President Trump’s efforts to retain farmers’ support: KURTZLEBEN: It all seems to be part of a push to lavish attention on farmers. Earlier this month, Trump went to Wisconsin for a farmer roundtable. Tonight, he’s bringing farmers to the White House for a Rose Garden dinner....

“It’s a delicate dance to make sure your base gets out at the same time you get sufficient independents to win a majority.”

Independent Voters Trump Whit AyresJune 24, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments in The Washington Post regarding the midterm election: While it’s not uncommon for swing-district candidates to keep some distance between themselves and an unpopular incumbent president, “it’s different this time because the president’s job approval is so low,” said Republican pollster Whit Ayres. “That’s what makes it particularly challenging.” “Almost by definition,...

“Donald Trump has ruled the Republican Party and continues to do so.”

Republicans Trump Whit AyresMay 17, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments in The New York Times regarding President Trump’s standing in the Republican Party: “Donald Trump has ruled the Republican Party and the Republican base, and he obviously continues to do so,” said Whit Ayres, a longtime Republican pollster. Mr. Ayres pointed to a difference between high-profile defectors such as Tucker Carlson and...

“President Trump was re-elected for four reasons.”

Political Climate Trump Whit AyresMay 17, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments in The New York Times regarding President Trump’s political standing: “President Trump was re-elected for four reasons,” Whit Ayres, a veteran Republican pollster, told me. “To improve the economy, to bring down inflation, to control illegal immigration and to get away from woke culture. Anything that works against any of those four...

“He has always been like this.”

Political Climate Trump Whit AyresApril 19, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments in The New York Times about President Trump’s job approval: “He has always been like this,” said Whit Ayres, a longtime Republican pollster. “It all depends upon whether his recent behavior affects his job approval or changes anyone’s opinion about him that they didn’t already have before.” According to Mr. Ayres, the...

“They have to continue to campaign in support of President Trump.”

Republicans Trump Whit AyresMarch 16, 2026

Whit Ayres’ comments to Time on incumbent Republicans running for reelection: “The headwinds are always tough for the president’s party in midterms and a lot tougher when the president is polling under 50% approval,” says Whit Ayres, a Republican strategist and pollster. “But they have got to continue to campaign in support of President Trump...

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