Indian-Americans turning away from Donald Trump? What surveys reveal ahead of US midterms

Immigration restrictions, rising living costs and strains in US-India relations are putting President Donald Trump's support among sections of the Indian-American community to the test, including some voters who backed him in the 2024 presidential election.

As the US prepares for the November 3 midterm elections, recent surveys indicate that Indian-American voters currently favour Democratic candidates.

However, this preference comes even as the community's identification with the Democratic Party has declined over the years.

A separate AP-NORC/AAPI Data survey, conducted between September 8 and 15 and released on October 19, found that only 25% of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults approved of Trump's performance, according to The Times of India.

The survey also found that 83% of respondents considered the cost of living an important issue when voting, while 89% said the economy was important. Although these findings cover the wider AAPI population and are not specific to Indian-Americans, they underline the economic concerns shaping voting priorities across Asian-American communities.

Among Indian-American voters, the preference for Democratic candidates is more pronounced. The 2026 AAPI Voter Survey, released in August by AAPI Data and Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), found that 66% of Indian-American registered voters favoured Democratic candidates for the US House of Representatives, compared with 18% who preferred Republicans. For Senate elections, 66% backed Democratic candidates, while 22% favoured Republicans.

Trump faces declining approval among Indian-Americans

A February 2026 survey by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace found that 71% of Indian-American respondents disapproved of Trump's performance as president, while 29% approved.

Disapproval extended to several key policy areas. Around 64% disapproved of Trump's handling of immigration, 68% of his domestic economic policies and 70% of his international economic policies, including trade, tariffs and sanctions.

Why Indian-Americans are reconsidering their political choices

Immigration has emerged as a significant concern for a community that includes a large number of professionals, students and families whose lives are closely connected to cross-border mobility.

Restrictions on immigration and uncertainty surrounding work visas have added to concerns over the administration's policies. Economic pressures, particularly the rising cost of living, are another factor shaping voter priorities.

US-India relations have also become part of the political debate. Trade disagreements, tariff measures and diplomatic tensions have complicated ties between Washington and New Delhi, potentially influencing how some Indian-American voters assess the Trump administration.

The shift is also reflected among some voters who supported Trump in 2024. A poll of 800 registered South Asian-American voters, conducted by HIT Strategies for Indian American Impact, found that 60% of likely voters planned to support Democratic candidates for Congress. Notably, 25% of respondents who voted for Trump in 2024 said they intended to vote for Democrats in the midterms.

Indian-Americans accounted for roughly 90% of the survey's respondents, according to findings released on October 26.

Why fewer Indian-Americans identify as Democrats

Despite the preference for Democratic candidates reflected in recent midterm polling, Indian-American voters' identification with the party has gradually declined.

The Carnegie Endowment's Indian American Attitudes Survey found that the share of respondents identifying as Democrats fell from 52% in 2020 to 46% in 2026.

Republican identification rose from 15% to 19% over the same period, while the proportion identifying as independents increased from 23% to 29%.

The figures suggest that disapproval of Trump and his policies does not automatically translate into stronger allegiance to Democrats. Some Indian-Americans may favour Democratic candidates in specific elections while remaining independent of either party or less aligned with the Democrats' broader political positions.

This shift follows a notable increase in support for Trump during the 2024 presidential election. Carnegie's October 2024 survey found that 32% of registered Indian-American voters intended to vote for Trump, up from 22% who had supported him in the 2020 survey. However, 61% still intended to vote for Kamala Harris in 2024.

Why the November 3 midterms matter

The November 3 elections will determine control of the US House of Representatives and Senate, shaping the legislative agenda and the extent of congressional oversight of Trump's administration.

With a population of more than 5.2 million, Indian-Americans are an increasingly visible constituency in US politics, particularly in closely contested congressional districts.

With inputs from agencies

About the Author

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security.<br> <br> Bhanu also focuses on in-depth, interview-based reports and regularly speaking with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world.<br> <br> He is also interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles.<br><br> One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.<br> <br> For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work.<br> <br>He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic.<br><br> Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate had other plans and eventually led him to journalism.<br><br> Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music.<br> <br>For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.