Trump's approval rating hits record low of 33% ahead of US midterm elections, poll finds
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Only one-third of surveyed voters approve of US President Donald Trump. His approval rating has hit a new record low just two weeks before the midterm elections, according to a Post-ABC-Ipsos poll for The Washington Post.
Trump's approval rating falls
The president's performance is approved by 33% of respondents, while 66% disapprove, including 52% who strongly disapprove.
His approval rating is four percentage points lower than in July and eight points lower than at the same point last year. It is lower than at any time during his first presidential term.
Among likely voters, Trump's approval rating stands at 38%, while 62% disapprove.
Democrats gain more trust
The poll shows that, for the first time in more than a decade, Democrats are more trusted to handle the economy.
In the race for control of the House of Representatives, Democrats hold an eight-point lead among registered and likely voters, an improvement of five points since July.
The Washington Post reports that Trump is central to the Republicans' electoral battle. Voters were asked whether they would prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress that would keep Trump in check or a Republican-controlled Congress that would support him.
Registered voters said they preferred Democrats by 58% to 39%. That margin is roughly twice as large as it was a year ago.
Americans have lost confidence
The combined findings of the new poll suggest that voters have lost confidence in the president, according to The Washington Post.
The reasons include Americans' deep concerns about his decision to start a war with Iran, the financial impact of that war, particularly rising gasoline prices, and their growing trust in Democrats over Republicans to handle major issues.
Currently, 72% say the country is heading in the wrong direction, up five percentage points since April.
Who will turn out to vote
Republicans still hold an overall advantage in political advertising spending, which they hope will help counter the Democratic surge.
As always, who actually turns out to vote will determine the outcome of individual races, the newspaper notes.
Nationwide, Democrats hold a substantial lead among those who say they will definitely vote or have already voted. However, Republicans remain relatively strong among voters who participated in the 2024 or 2022 elections.
It remains unclear how many of the 77 million people who voted for Trump in 2024 will turn out. Midterm election turnout is always lower than in presidential election years, and Republicans have found it more difficult to mobilize their supporters when Trump is not on the ballot.
If Democrats win the November congressional elections, they could not only initiate a third impeachment of Donald Trump but also launch investigations into his administration, which could pose a more immediate threat.
Trump's approval rating has also fallen to a new low, with polling results showing growing voter dissatisfaction with his economic policies and the cost of living.
