Warning Signs for Trump in Iowa

In Iowa, support for former President Donald Trump continues to decline among Republicans. As the shadow primary showdown between Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis heats up, Iowans approval of the 45^th president – though still high – has slipped since 2021. A recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll found that Trump is viewed favorably by 80 percent of Iowa Republicans, down from 83 percent in October 2022 and 91 percent in September 2021. Meanwhile, his unfavorable ratings have jumped from 7 percent in 2021 to 18 percent this spring. Such shifts may seem trivial, but indicate a real opening for DeSantis – or another non-Trump candidate – in the all-important Iowa caucus.