Why Trump's coalition of evangelical voters could be fraying

White evangelical Christians remain one of President Donald Trump's strongest bases of support, but a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll points to some erosion heading into the midterm elections. Among that group, 66 percent approve of his performance, well above the national figure by 26 points, and nearly three-quarters intend to vote Republican for Congress. Still, Trump's approval among people who backed him has fallen 12 points since his second term began, PBS NewsHour reports.

The relationship rests partly on his three Supreme Court appointments, which paved the way for the end of Roe v. Wade. At Village Church in Blythewood, South Carolina, Pastor Erik Estep says his congregants differ on many things but largely agree on abortion. Even so, one churchgoer who voted for Trump now describes being undecided between conservatives and Democrats.

Robert Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute argues that remaining backing reflects Trump's promise to preserve a white Christian America. Meanwhile, Christian leaders are running as Democrats for Senate in Kansas and Texas, and Republicans in a tight South Carolina race are stressing transgender issues.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →