The two issues that could split MAGA right down the middle

President Donald Trump’s political base is splitting between two issues with contradictory goals: One that wishes to reduce inflation, and the other that wants to get rid of undocumented immigrants.

When asked which issue matters most to them among eight options (abortion policy, affordability of housing, crime in your community, gun violence, health insurance, illegal immigration and border security, inflation and the cost of living, jobs and the economy, public schools, taxes), Wisconsin Republican and Republican-leaning independents repeatedly chose either “inflation and the cost of living” or “illegal immigration and border security” as one of the top issues, according to a Marquette Law School Poll.

“In October, 23% of Republicans (including Republican-leaning independents) listed inflation and the cost of living as their top issue, while 31% chose illegal immigration and border security,” Marquette Law School Poll explained. “In February, the balance flipped, as 27% chose inflation and 22% immigration.”

The problem facing Trump is that these “border Republicans” and “inflation Republicans” cannot be easily pleased at the same time.

“Republicans whose top priority is addressing inflation and the cost of living tend to be younger, and more self-consciously moderate,” the poll authors wrote. “Those who prioritize addressing illegal immigration and border security tend to be older, conservative, and evangelical.” Although both groups overwhelmingly hold unfavorable views toward Democrats and voted for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, “the two groups differ in their assessment of [Trump’s] job performance thus far. Eighty-two percent of border Republicans ‘strongly’ approve of the job Trump is doing and only 1% disapprove. Among inflation Republicans, only 39% ‘strongly’ approve. Most of the rest (46%) ‘somewhat’ approve, so these voters aren’t lost to Trump, but they are low on enthusiasm for him.”

If this lack of enthusiasm is reflected on the national level, it “can change elections,” the poll authors explained. One statistic stands out: When it comes to Wisconsin’s upcoming elections in April, “among border Republicans, 82% are “absolutely certain” they will vote. Among inflation Republicans, only 62% are so certain.”

The border and immigration are not the only issues splitting the Republican Party. There are also divisions over Israel, with alt right leaders like Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes butting heads with Zionist Trump supporters like conservative commentators Ben Shapiro and Laura Loomer.

"Everybody needs to be pressuring the White House to issue a statement condemning Tucker Carlson this week," Loomer wrote earlier this month. "His efforts to derail the GOP and his nonstop sabotage of President Trump must end."

There are also divisions within MAGA over Trump’s ongoing refusal to fully disclose information about the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with whom he had numerous links; leading Republicans including Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia have spoken out against Trump on that issue. Similarly six House Republicans voted with Democrats to repeal Trump’s tariffs against Canada including Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Jeff Hurd (R-Mo.), Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.)

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