3 Key Takeaways From the NBC News Decision Desk Poll: MAGA Intensity Eases, Price Pain Persists, Health Coverage Tension

The NBC News Decision Desk Poll, conducted with SurveyMonkey and released Sunday, provides a snapshot of how Americans feel about President Donald Trump, the economy and everyday costs — including groceries and health insurance. Below are the top findings, plus the political fallout from the president’s comments about director Rob Reiner following the deaths of Reiner’s parents.

1. Pro‑Trump Intensity Has Eased Slightly

One of Trump’s longtime strengths has been the fierce loyalty of his core supporters. The new poll shows that intensity has softened in 2025: the share of Republicans who identify with the MAGA movement has edged down, and among self‑identified MAGA supporters the share who “strongly approve” of Trump fell from 78% in April to 70% in the latest survey. Across all adults, 44% say they "strongly disapprove" of Trump while just 21% "strongly approve," underscoring a sizable gap between intense opposition and intense support.

2. Rising Prices Are Changing Shopping Habits

Price pressure continues to shape behavior at the grocery store. A majority of adults (53%) say they have changed what they buy because of higher prices; that includes 39% of households with incomes above $100,000. While wealthier households generally report less financial strain than lower‑income households, the responses show broad frustration with post‑Covid inflation even as headline price growth has slowed from its earlier peak.

3. Most People Are Satisfied With Their Health Insurance — But Problems Remain

Overall satisfaction with health coverage remains high: 82% of adults say they are satisfied with their insurance. Still, 24% report that an insurer delayed or denied coverage for them at least once in the last two years. That mix — widespread satisfaction alongside frequent complaints about access or denials — illustrates why health care remains a politically volatile issue.

Political Fallout: Trump’s Comments About Rob Reiner Draw GOP Criticism

President Trump faced pushback from some Republicans after he suggested on Truth Social that director Rob Reiner’s political views contributed to his killing, calling Reiner the victim of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" in a post that offered no supporting evidence from authorities. Police have arrested Nick Reiner, the younger son of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner, on suspicion of murdering his parents; Nick Reiner has publicly discussed struggles with addiction and homelessness.

Several Republicans — including Rep. Mike Lawler (R‑N.Y.) and House members who have clashed with Trump, such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie — criticized the president for politicizing a brutal family tragedy and urged sympathy for the victims. When asked about the backlash in the Oval Office, Trump again criticized Reiner, saying, "Well, not a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person." 

Other Notable Items From NBC News

• Alleged terror plot thwarted: DOJ announced arrests in an alleged plan to detonate bombs in the Los Angeles area on New Year's Eve.
• Tar Heel State delay: Former Rep. Mark Walker still awaits a confirmation hearing for an ambassadorship, with political friction cited among North Carolina Republicans.
• Immigration stop: Rep. Ilhan Omar said her adult son was stopped by ICE agents and asked to provide proof of citizenship.
• Rising threats: NBC News tallied at least 22 threats against officials tied to heated political rhetoric.
• Redistricting debate: Sen. Rand Paul warned that mid‑decade redistricting could increase political violence risks.

For readers who want the full dataset and detailed tables, NBC News has published the complete poll results.

Compiled by: Scott Bland and Adam Wollner, NBC News Politics Desk. To receive this newsletter, sign up on NBCNews.com.