Once the embodiment of masculine bravado for millions of American men, Donald Trump now finds himself slipping from the pedestal he built. Polls from CBS/YouGov, UMass Amherst, and others reveal a sharp decline in his approval ratings—most notably among male voters, the very demographic that once formed the backbone of his political dominance.
In 2024, Trump commanded the loyalty of 55% of male voters. Today, that number has plummeted. UMass Amherst reports a drop from 48% in April to just 39% in July. CBS/YouGov shows similar erosion, with 53% of men now disapproving of his leadership1. The reasons? A cocktail of economic frustration, immigration fatigue, and a growing sense that Trump’s once-magnetic persona has curdled into something less compelling.
💬 “An old fat man wandering around on a roof”—a phrase used by MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace—captures the shift in perception. What was once seen as defiant swagger now reads as erratic and out of touch. The image evokes not strength, but instability. It’s a metaphor for a leader who once dominated the cultural zeitgeist, now teetering on the edge of irrelevance.
Men who once admired Trump’s unapologetic style are now questioning his priorities. A majority believe he’s focusing too much on deportations and not enough on lowering prices. His tariff policies, once hailed as bold, are now viewed as economic missteps. Even his handling of the Epstein scandal has stirred discomfort, casting shadows over his moral credibility.
📉 The decline isn’t just numerical—it’s symbolic. Trump’s brand was built on dominance, disruption, and masculine appeal. But as his second term unfolds, the mythos is unraveling. Pollster Jesse Rhodes notes that the erosion among men is “most substantial,” signaling a deeper cultural shift.
This isn’t just about politics—it’s about identity. Trump’s fall from favor among men suggests a broader reckoning with what leadership, masculinity, and authenticity mean in today’s America. The roof he paces isn’t just physical—it’s metaphorical. And the question remains: will he find solid ground again, or is this the beginning of a long descent?
