A September 2026 Echelon Insights poll found 56% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents identify first with the GOP, versus 34% with Trump. In January 2025, 36% chose the party and 59% chose Trump; the question measured identity, not approval or vote intention.
The September 17–21 survey questioned 1,002 likely voters; 424 Republicans or Republican-leaning independents answered the identity question. Seven percent chose neither and 3% were unsure. The poll’s overall margin of error was ±3.6 percentage points. The January 22–24, 2025 survey questioned 1,024 likely voters, with 464 Republicans or Republican-leaning independents answering the same question; its overall margin of error was ±3.5 points.
Trump urged Republicans to campaign as though he were on the ballot, while some candidates challenged administration policies or reduced his profile in campaign messaging. Echelon’s wider poll gave Trump 36% national approval and 64% disapproval; Democratic congressional candidates led 51%–43% after leaners were included. A separate CBS News/YouGov survey conducted September 8–11 found 45% of likely voters said their congressional vote would oppose Trump, 28% support him and 27% said it was not about him. The White House had not responded to Newsweek’s request for comment on the findings.
