Trump's Grip Slips in America's Reddest Heartland
Part of composite article Trump’s Approval Craters to 30% as Republicans Flee and Voters Fume Over Prices View full article →
West Virginia, one of the most Republican states in the country, is showing signs of doubt. As midterm elections approach, rising gas prices, war in the Middle East, and the growth of data centers are testing Donald Trump's popularity—even among his strongest supporters.
Journalists Oliver Laughland and Tom Silverstone traveled to rural West Virginia to speak with voters in this Republican stronghold. What they found was a community still loyal to the party, but increasingly frustrated with the direction things are heading.
Local Democrats see an opening. While the state remains firmly Republican, they are hoping to turn this discontent into votes. A new kind of politics may be emerging in Trump country—and both parties are watching closely.