Republicans are in full-blown panic mode as former President Trump’s support among women continues to plummet, with recent polls revealing a widening gap between male and female voters. The GOP’s concern is heightened by Trump’s inability to stem the tide of disapproval from female voters.
The traditional gender gap in presidential elections has now evolved into a significant “chasm,” with Trump struggling to bridge the divide. Republican pollster Whit Ayres warns that Trump’s efforts to reclaim support among women face a steep uphill battle. “The real challenge right now for Republicans is whether they can perform sufficiently well among men to overcome the deficit among women,” Ayres said, citing the prominence of abortion issues and Trump’s previous remarks about women as factors exacerbating the problem.
According to an ABC News/Ipsos poll released on Sunday, Trump trails Kamala Harris by a staggering 13 percentage points among women—54% to 41%. This is a significant shift from a narrower 6-point gap before the Democratic convention. Meanwhile, Trump holds a narrow 5-point lead among men, but this is not enough to offset his disastrous standing with female voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll echoes this grim reality, showing Harris with a 13-point lead among women and Trump’s overall support eroding.
Trump’s attempts to court college-educated and suburban women have thus far been ineffective. His moves to moderate his stance on abortion and advocate for free IVF treatments have backfired, angering pro-life conservatives and leaving many women unmoved. GOP strategists are increasingly doubtful that these half-hearted gestures will mend his fractured relationship with female voters.
A senior Senate Republican aide expressed deep frustration, stating, “We thought we could manage without suburban women when Biden was the candidate. With Harris now in play, the dynamics have changed drastically.” The aide admitted uncertainty about how Trump can reverse his fortunes, noting that his proposed solutions seem inadequate and his behavior remains alienating.
“I’m not sure what advice to give Trump to stop this decline,” the aide said.
The problem extends beyond polls; it’s evident within the Republican ranks. Key senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, crucial swing votes, have made it clear they won’t support Trump. This internal dissent highlights the severity of Trump’s gender gap crisis.
In recent days, Trump has waffled on key issues, further damaging his credibility. He initially criticized Florida’s stringent six-week abortion ban but quickly reversed course after backlash from his base. His support for expanded IVF access drew criticism from allies like Sen. Lindsey Graham, who warned of setting a problematic precedent.
Ayres bluntly stated, “Trump’s difficulties with women are a direct consequence of his past statements and the current focus on abortion rights.” He predicts that Trump’s efforts to make amends will be closely scrutinized as the election nears.
Republican strategists are urging Trump to shift focus away from divisive abortion debates and concentrate on economic issues that resonate with women. Ron Bonjean, a GOP strategist, advised Trump to emphasize practical economic concerns like inflation and cost of living rather than continue his inconsistent stance on abortion.
In a recent campaign push, Trump’s team has sought to pivot by attacking Harris’s record on the economy and border security. Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt accused Harris of exacerbating financial hardships and compromising national security, positioning Trump as the solution to these crises.
Despite these efforts, skepticism remains high about Trump’s ability to recover lost ground with women. His persistent issues with female voters trace back to his previous campaigns and have only intensified in the current election cycle.
