Cygnal Pulse Podcast

In this episode of Pulse Pod, Cygnal pollsters Brent Buchanan and Alex Tarascio break down what the data is really telling us about the 2026 political environment. New polling reveals a collapse in trust toward corporate America across every demographic—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike—reshaping how voters think about power, accountability, and the economy. At the same time, a surprising countertrend emerges: optimism about the American Dream is rebounding, driven largely by a major shift among Hispanic voters. The conversation also dives into the midterm landscape, showing where Republicans hold strong issue advantages—and why they’re still losing the communication war despite winning the arguments. The takeaway is clear: trust, messaging, and media strategy will define who wins in 2026.

Pulse Pod 86 breaks down the latest National Voter Trends (NVT) data and why Republicans are entering the midterm cycle with a clear advantage. Brent Buchanan and John Rogers unpack MAHA’s surge to 77% support and its stunning 10-point impact on the generic congressional ballot, the GOP’s trust edge across every major issue, and the growing bipartisan consensus behind conservative policies like voter ID, domestic energy production, and welfare work requirements. The episode also explores the collapse in trust in mainstream media, rising parental concerns around social media, and mounting voter anxiety over AI and data centers—closing with a winners and losers roundup that highlights where Republicans have permission to go on offense if they execute with authenticity.

In this fast-paced January Pulse Pod, Brent and Mitch break down the biggest shifts in Cygnal’s latest National Voter Trends poll. From Trump’s +6 image rebound and a more optimistic national mood (+9) to voter reactions on Venezuela, immigration, and the “Karens on ICE” divide, this episode covers the data driving early 2026 momentum. The team also digs into capitalism vs. socialism perceptions, changing economic priorities, and why financial stress remains high even as macro indicators improve. Packed with quick hits, sharp insights, and surprising voter shifts, this is your one-stop snapshot of where America stands heading into this midterm year.

Domestic > Foreign: Where Voters Want Trump Focused - Pulse Pod 84 delivers a rapid-fire breakdown of December’s biggest voter shifts: a modest uptick in national mood, Trump’s image rebounding, and Democrats in Congress sliding. 

Pollsters Brent and Nick hit the core issue dominating everything—affordability—from rising bills to the housing squeeze and the surge of “aspirational homeowners.” They connect immigration, news habits, domestic vs. foreign focus, and fentanyl concerns into one clear theme: voters want leaders zeroed in on cost of living and problems at home.

The episode wraps with how emotional fatigue—especially among younger Democrats—is shaping political engagement.

Follow our pollsters for more:
Brent Buchanan - @brentbuc
Nick Weinstein - @nickweinstein

🔥 Pulse Pod special just dropped on Brent Buchanan's NEW book! 

CEO Brent Buchanan, alongside VP Chris Kratzer, unpacks the insights behind his #1 Amazon bestseller in Elections America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices. 

Tune in for:
➡️ What inspired Brent to write this and why now?
➡️ The emotional forces shaping politics and personal choices
➡️ A deeper look into the diploma divide
➡️ Why authenticity and truth matter more than ever
➡️ What leaders can do to unite a fractured nation and point others to an optimisitc future

Don’t wait—grab your copy before Christmas and start driving real change as we head into 2026!

Follow Brent for more updates: X/Twitter: @brentbuc

Cygnal Pollsters Brent Buchanan and Alex Tarascio break down Cygnal’s November NVT poll, highlighting how GOP strengths on law, order, and border security stand out with voters. They discuss why the “socialist” label isn’t gaining traction, and how Republicans can win back economic voters by focusing on affordability and tax relief or risk losses in 2026. The episode covers immigration, tax burdens, and voter mistrust of AI—ending with a look at how the GOP can reset the narrative and build momentum heading into the midterms.

Follow our experts on X:
Buchanan: @brentbuc
Tarascio: @alextarascio

A special Pulse Pod episode is here, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! Brent Buchanan dives into his upcoming book America’s Emotional Divide: Navigating the Powerful Decision-Making Forces Impacting Politics, Policies & Personal Choices. This conversation explores why authenticity and truth are what people crave, why sometimes culture often outweighs the economy in shaping decisions, and how emotions—especially anger and anxiety—drive voting behavior. Brent also touches on the “Trump effect,” the role of social media and podcasts in reshaping political influence, and why these tools were so effective in past elections. Most importantly, he shares how the strategies in his book can help create positive change. 

We’re only scratching the surface here—tune in to the full episode of Part 1 to uncover the insights that could transform how you view politics and culture. 

Follow Brent for more updates: Twitter/X: @brentbuc

Cygnal's Pulse Pod Ep. 82 Democrats New Theme Song: "Breaking the Law!" w/ Pollsters Brent Buchanan and Chris Lane - Join us for the latest episode of Cygnal's Pulse Pod as we dive into the most recent political trends and public opinion shifts that are reshaping America's political landscape. Our data-driven analysis reveals some surprising developments that you won't want to miss.

Our Pollsters’ Top Five: 

New Issues Emerging: This is the first time this decade, or about the time of Trump’s entrance into American political life, the top issue has not been inflation and the economy or immigration and border security. “Threats to democracy” (21%) is now the top priority in voters’ minds. Healthcare jumped three points – nearly doubling among non-college educated voters – as government shutdown coverage resurfaces the Obamacare subsidies debate. 

Schumer Shutdown 2.0: while all major figures from both partis saw dips in their images amid the government shutdown (Schumer +2 unfavorable, Jeffries +4 unfavorable), by a nearly 2:1 margin, 60 percent voters say the current government shutdown is just being used as a strategic tool to advance a political agenda.  

Judas Priest? “Breaking the Law” could be the Democratic theme song these days as young Democrats aged 18-44 are +15 on breaking the law to oppose ICE, while Democrats older than 45 are –42 showing how extremely frustrated young Democrats are with their party leadership.

Black to the Future: Black voters were the only major demographic (+9) to say that they would prefer time traveling into the future versus the past, if given the option. Even though most of the political spectrum preferred the past, it was voters who viewed the current direction of America positively whom over-indexed (+36 net) on preferring to travel back in time. Voters who supported Kamala Harris in 2024 were oddly the most indecisive with 25 percent saying they were unsure about either time travel option. 

MAHA Momentum: though the movement’s messenger, RFK Jr., has seen dip in his image (-5), overall support for the policy agenda and mission of challenging the status quo remains incredibly strong (74%). Even among the Democratic base, MAHA’s support stands at 55 percent, with 68 percent support among moderates.

Cygnal's Pulse Pod Ep. 81 Women Under 55 vs. Everyone Else: America’s Deepening Divide w/ Pollsters Brent Buchanan and John Rogers - Join us for the latest episode of Cygnal's Pulse Pod as we dive into the most recent political trends and public opinion shifts that are reshaping America's political landscape. Our data-driven analysis reveals some surprising developments that you won't want to miss.

Highlights:
Parental and reproductive concerns: it’s back-to-school season and a quarter of parents of PreK-12 students say political interference (24%) in their children’s education is the issue they are most concerned with. Physical safety and security are cited by 26 percent of parents, followed by curriculum content (13%) and academic performance (12%), with AI, and resourcing issues as tertiary concerns. Democrats (37%) are more concerned than Republicans (22%) about political interference while swing voters prioritize student safety. As the U.S. inches toward dropping below the repopulation number, 72 percent believe the ideal number of children is 2 or more.

Foreign and domestic: 2026 midterm election season is underway, and swing voters say President Trump should focus more on domestic issues than international affairs (by a +4 margin). Overall, 58 percent of voters agree with only 13 percent thinking Trump’s focus should remain more internationally.

Edge maintenance: despite a slight increase in pessimism about the direction of the country and worsening perceptions about the impact of inflation, the GOP maintains an edge over Democrats with voters’ trust on every major issue area. As off-year elections in New Jersey and Virginia set the stage for the 2026 midterms, both parties have made gains along diploma and community type divides – Republicans remain resilient among non-college educated voters (shifting +12 since May) while Democrats make gains among the college-educated. Urban and rural voters both shifted +4 net toward a generic GOP in the last month, while suburban voters moved +6 net toward a generic Democrat.

Party trust by top issues: 

• Economy and jobs (R+3) 

• Costs of living (R+3) 

• Illegal immigration and border security (R+22) 

• Crime and public safety (R+16) 

• Cutting wasteful government spending (R+17) 

• Foreign affairs (R+4) 

Trans as an illness: views on transgenderism remain split with 42 percent of voters saying they believe it is a mental illness while 44 percent say it’s a natural variation of human identity. The belief that it’s natural is driven mostly by women (+23) under age 55. Men and swing voters (+3) said being transgender is a mental illness. 

Two-state illusion: partisanship, age, and race define attitudes on the Israel–Hamas conflict and the potential of a two-state solution. Fifty-six percent of voters either oppose or are unsure about a two-state solution while 43 percent support it, mostly driven by Democrats (+46), voters under 55 (+24), college‑educated (+26), urban (+29), and non‑white (+22). But among voters who want Trump to focus less on international affairs and more on domestic issues (58%), support for a two‑state solution shrinks by 6 net points.

Cygnal's Pulse Pod Ep. 80 69% of Americans reject race-based redistricting; views on the American Dream on life support; and the Fed Under Fire w/ Pollsters Brent Buchanan and Mitch Brown - Join us for the latest episode of Cygnal's Pulse Pod as we dive into the most recent political trends and public opinion shifts that are reshaping America's political landscape. Our data-driven analysis reveals some surprising developments that you won't want to miss.

Highlights:

• Democratic doldrums: Despite continue attacks against him, Donald Trump’s image remains resilient; since Liberation Day in April, unfavorable views toward Trump have not moved an inch. Republicans (-5 net image) continue to be viewed much more favorably than Democrats (-11 net image). Formerly the party of the working class, Democrats are now viewed 57 percent unfavorable and only 38 percent favorable among blue collar voters (-19 net image). However, Democrats are more motivated for the midterms compared to Republicans. 
  
  “There is a good reason President Trump is focused on issues that play well to his base,” said Brent Buchanan, Pollster and President at Cygnal. “He sees that 71 percent of Democrats say they are highly motivated, and despite all the lunacy we see each week from the Left, Trump won’t take anything for granted. Republicans should follow Trump’s lead and do everything they can, especially as we’re close to year out from the midterms, to close that motivation gap. Trump still has a long list of things he wants to accomplish and he’s a man of action, so expect to see base issues pop up more and more as we get closer.” 

• Interest in rates: is about the extent of voters’ engagement with the president’s latest complaints about the Federal Reserve. A whopping 78 percent say they are concerned about the impact of interest rates on the economy, and 57 percent want the Fed to lower rates over the next year, echoing President Trump’s call for a course correction. Only 10 percent approve of how rates have been handled, with 46 percent also believing the main reason for raising rates is to control inflation. Overall, voters are agnostic about Powell’s tenure as chair or his continued service in that role, but they have strong opinions about the outcome of Powell’s choices on interest rates. 

• MAHA aligns: further with the American mainstream by rejecting government subsidies for unhealthy foods. Sixty-one percent of voters say food stamps should not be eligible for purchasing unhealthy foods like sugary snacks and drinks as well as other highly processed junk. Once again, Democrats are picking the wrong side of a popular issue, with 53% believing EBT should be able to be spent on junk food. 
  
  “For some reason, the debate about using government food stamps to purchase junk food, is one we’ve been having for years,” said Brown. “Trump is a president who ends these kinds of debates by following commonsense. Everyone knows junk food decreases long-term health outcomes. Allowing folks who need those programs to purchase food that doesn’t help them get to a better place goes against commonsense and good use of public resources. So much of the MAHA platform is based on commonsense and this is just another example of how it aligns with where the clear majority of Americans are.” 
  
  
• Tariffs never backfired: against Trump as views remain mostly split since their announcement – though a majority (53%) understand tariffs have resulted in increased government revenue. Aware of this increased revenue, 48 percent say the president has been successful in his tariff negotiations. Independents are least supportive of the tariffs with 14 percent opposing them outright and 21 percent saying Trump’s work has been unsuccessful.