Economist Peter Schiff is stirring debate inside conservative circles after arguing that so-called “Trump Derangement Syndrome” is actually more prevalent among Republicans than Democrats.
“Trump Derangement Syndrome is actually worse in the Republican Party than it is in the Democratic Party,” Schiff wrote today on X.
“For Republicans, the symptoms are supporting Trump even when he’s wrong or when he lies. This may play well with the MAGA base, but it won’t go over well in general elections.”
It didn’t take long for the replies to pile up, with people jumping in to defend him or push back.
Voters Are Digging In
Schiff’s warning comes as polling data shows Trump’s approval rating is deeply underwater.
According to Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin average, Trump’s net approval rating stood at -14.9, just 0.1 points above his second-term low.
Recent surveys paint an even tougher picture. Ipsos, The Washington Post and ABC showed Trump at -21 net approval. CNN/SSRS had him at -27. American Research Group measured -26.
Underneath those topline numbers, the intensity gap is growing. Since May, the share of Americans who strongly approve of Trump has dropped from 34% to 24%.
Meanwhile, strong disapproval has climbed from 31% to 45%. Weaker approval and disapproval numbers have stayed mostly flat.
That shift suggests more voters are moving into firmly negative territory instead of simply expressing mild dissatisfaction, a dynamic that could matter in turnout-driven elections.
Base Support Vs. Broader Appeal
Some people rejected Schiff’s argument outright. One person wrote that every politician tells voters what they want to hear and claimed, “I’d confidently suggest Trump does more of what he says than any other modern-day president.”
Schiff responded: “Not true.”
Another person argued Trump’s 2024 victory showed that in a fragmented media environment, a motivated minority can overpower a less energized majority.
Schiff acknowledged the enthusiasm factor, replying, “Trump motivated a lot of people. It’s just too bad he did not use that political capital wisely.”
Others insisted Trump is still the country’s best option. “Trump’s the very best hope we have in saving this country!” one supporter wrote.
“Get behind Trump & support him instead of being a continual critic!”
Schiff countered that Trump’s policies are moving the country in the wrong direction.
“Trump’s policies of big government, central planning, massive deficit spending, tariffs, and inflation are harming the country and laying the foundation for radical left Democrats to rise to power in 2028,” he said.
Fiscal Concerns And The Debt
Schiff, a longtime critic of deficit spending and monetary policy, repeatedly pointed to the national debt as a core issue.
When one person claimed Trump had “stopped the runaway train,” Schiff asked, “What runaway train are you referring to? The biggest one is the debt train which is traveling even faster now and about to go over the edge of a cliff.”
He also pushed back on claims that Trump consistently puts Americans first. “That’s what he claims, but his policies mostly don’t do that,” Schiff wrote.
In another exchange, he argued that many of Trump’s policies would traditionally be viewed as left-leaning.
When a person said blind loyalty could alienate moderates, Schiff added, “It should alienate conservatives even more, as most of his policy are very left wing.”
Electability And 2028
Schiff acknowledged he once believed Trump was preferable to Vice President Kamala Harris, writing, “He seemed better than Harris. But I didn’t expect him to be this bad. But it’s still very possible that Harris would have been even worse.”
Still, he warned that loyalty without scrutiny could result in electoral losses.
When asked whether Democrats would win, Schiff predicted, “They will win Congress in the midterms and the White House in 2028.”
Party Tension And General Election Risk
The broader debate reflects a tension inside the Republican Party: whether energizing the MAGA base is enough to secure long-term power, or whether policies and rhetoric that appeal to a core 40% risk alienating independents and swing voters.
With strong disapproval climbing and net approval near second-term lows, the numbers suggest Trump remains a polarizing figure.
Schiff’s basic point is simple: firing up the base might work in primaries, but it can backfire once everyone gets a vote.
If Republican voters treat his criticism as betrayal instead of a warning, that reaction could matter, not just for party unity, but for what happens in the next general elections.
IMAGE CREDIT: “President Donald Trump” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.