- Farmers approve at 58% despite direct tariff damage to agricultural exports — cultural and identity loyalty overrides immediate economic signals
- Military approval at 56% — slightly below 2024 performance, with Hegseth controversies and DOGE defense cuts creating modest softening
- Teachers approve at only 28% — the lowest occupational category — where education funding cuts, voucher expansion, and curriculum restrictions converge with demographic factors
- College professionals at 34%; skilled trades at 52% — the occupational education divide mirrors the broader partisan realignment reshaping competitive districts
- Occupational approval reflects not just economic interest but cultural values, union affiliation, and direct policy impact — all three factors point the same direction for each group
Approval by Occupation (April 2026)
Composite of occupational crosstabs from Gallup, Pew, and Axios/Ipsos. Sorted by approval level.
| Occupation | Approve | Disapprove | Net | Top Political Concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmers / Ranchers | 58% | 38% | +20 | Trade / immigration enforcement |
| Active military / Veterans | 56% | 40% | +16 | Defense spending, national security |
| Skilled trades (construction, manufacturing) | 52% | 44% | +8 | Wages, union policy, tariffs |
| Small business owners | 50% | 47% | +3 | Regulation, healthcare costs |
| Retail / Service workers | 38% | 58% | −20 | Minimum wage, healthcare |
| College-educated professionals | 34% | 63% | −29 | Democratic norms, tariff impact |
| Healthcare workers | 32% | 65% | −33 | Medicaid, ACA, nursing pay |
| Teachers / Educators | 28% | 69% | −41 | Education cuts, tenure policy |
The Farmer Paradox: 58% Approval Despite Tariff Damage
Agricultural communities have been among the groups most directly harmed by 2025–2026 tariff impact. Soybean futures fell 12% after China retaliated against US tariffs. Pork exports to key Asian markets dropped 19%. Yet farmers approve of Trump at 58%. The explanation is multi-layered:
Rural farming communities identify culturally with Republican values on guns, immigration, and religious conservatism. These identities are deeper than single-policy economic grievances.
USDA agricultural aid payments have partially offset tariff losses for many large operations. Farmers receiving aid are less likely to attribute economic pain directly to Trump.
Many farmers blame China's retaliation — not Trump's tariffs — for export damage. Framing matters: "China is hurting us" vs. "tariffs are hurting us" produce different approval outcomes.
Teachers at 28%: Why Education Is Ground Zero
Teachers' 28% approval is the lowest of any tracked occupational group. The convergence of demographic, institutional, and direct policy factors creates this floor:
- Teachers are 76% female and 58% college-educated — both structurally low-approval demographics
- Federal education funding cuts of approximately $6 billion proposed in 2025 budget threaten Title I and special education funding directly
- School voucher expansion proposals redirect public school funding and reduce overall school budgets
- Curriculum restriction laws in Republican-controlled states create direct professional conflicts for teachers
- NEA and AFT union membership creates partisan institutional alignment reinforced by collective bargaining stakes
