Several high-profile conservative commentators who once backed Donald Trump — including Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Candace Owens — are publicly expressing regret or anger, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises and mishandling key issues such as the Iran war and the slow release of the Epstein files. CNN polling shows Republican approval for Trump has slipped since March 2025, and some former boosters have become active critics. While many Republicans remain loyal, these defections could complicate the White House's midterm strategy.
MAGA Malaise: High-Profile Backers Voice Regret and Break With Trump
A supporter holding a MAGA hat stands outside the United States Capitol before the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. - Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
Several prominent conservative commentators who once championed Donald Trump are publicly expressing regret, disappointment or outright anger — a fissure that underscores growing tensions within parts of the MAGA media ecosystem.
Who Is Turning On Trump?
Tucker Carlson recently said he feels "tormented" by his past support for Trump. Marjorie Taylor Greene apologized last November — "Humbly, I'm sorry" — after acknowledging her role in stoking toxic politics following a rebuke from the president. Candace Owens told audiences last June she was "embarrassed" by her backing of Trump after his initial order to bomb Iran. Megyn Kelly has criticized the president over his handling of the Iran conflict and a spat with the pope.
Some former allies — including Greene, Owens and conspiracy promoter Alex Jones — have even floated invoking the 25th Amendment as a mechanism to remove Trump, though that would require Cabinet members to act against him and currently appears unlikely.
President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House on April 18. - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/File
Why The Break Is Happening
A number of these critics say their frustration stems from what they view as broken promises and unacceptable policy choices: the decision to use military force in the Middle East, the administration's slow release of the Epstein files, and perceived failures of transparency. Others are angry that Trump did not do more to defend January 6 participants — even as his administration later pardoned or commuted sentences for many involved.
"MAGA is me," Trump told NBC News in January, responding to defections within his movement.
In a high-profile two-hour interview, Tucker Carlson and his brother Buckley (nicknamed "Uncle Buck" by family members) aired a string of grievances, arguing not that Trump has suddenly become a Democrat-style boogeyman, but that he has not pushed hard enough on the promises that drew them to him. The Carlsons and other critics say they expected more aggressive action on immigration, greater transparency on sensitive files, and a firmer posture on issues they view as central to the movement.
How Big Is The Drift?
Republican support for Trump remains strong but has softened since early 2025. CNN polling showed 92% approval among Republicans in March 2025, including 64% who said they strongly approved. By March 2026, approval among Republicans had fallen to 80% and strong approval to 43%.
A "Make America Great Again" sign sits on the floor following a campaign rally with the US president at Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee, Wisconsin, October 24, 2018. - Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Those numbers suggest a decline but not a collapse: many GOP figures remain loyal. Dan Bongino, for example, continues to back the president, and Steve Bannon — while voicing some policy frustrations — still urges support for Trump’s political future.
Political Stakes And The Midterms
The immediate political question is whether rank-and-file Republicans will align with media personalities cropping up in their social feeds or stay with Trump himself. The administration also faces potential policy headwinds: the war has contributed to higher gas prices, tariffs are cited as a factor in continued inflationary pressure, and redistricting efforts meant to benefit Republicans have backfired in some states, with recent voter-approved map changes in Virginia and California undermining Trump-aligned mapmaking.
White House strategists, according to reporting, may shape their midterm message around the idea that Democrats would be worse in power — but they cannot assume the continued vocal support of high-profile critics like Carlson, Greene or Owens as the election season approaches.
What To Watch Next
- Whether more MAGA media figures move from criticism to active opposition.
- How rank-and-file Republican voters react to both policy outcomes and influencer messaging.
- Whether ongoing controversies (the Epstein files, the Butler, Pennsylvania attempt on Trump, and other unresolved questions) widen the rift between the president and his erstwhile boosters.
While some defections are highly visible, they remain a minority within the broader GOP for now. Still, the emergence of vocal, media-savvy dissenters underscores fractures that could complicate messaging and turnout heading into the midterms.
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