Trump's record-low approval rating becoming burden for his party — Reuters
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Support for Donald Trump remains at one of the lowest levels of his political career. Against the backdrop of dissatisfaction with the war with Iran and the economic situation, another problem for Republicans is becoming increasingly apparent: their supporters are less motivated to vote than Democrats, and there are only a couple of months left until the election, according to Reuters.
US President Donald Trump's approval rating remains at 33%. This is the third consecutive time the Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted in late August, has recorded this figure.
Even his predecessor, Joe Biden, had an approval rating of 35% in October 2024. At the start of Trump's current presidential term, up to 47% of Americans approved of his performance.
However, for the Republican Party, the problem may not lie solely in the President's personal approval rating. Trump remains one of the party's key figures, and Republicans will have to defend their slim majority in Congress in November.
Democrats proved to be significantly more motivated
One of the most important takeaways from the new poll was voters' willingness to go to the polls.
Among Democrats, 46% described themselves as very motivated to vote in the midterm elections. Among Republicans, only 31% felt the same way.
This difference could be particularly significant for midterm elections, where turnout is typically lower than during presidential races. Higher mobilization of supporters of one party could potentially influence the outcome in competitive districts and states.
Another indicator also favors the Democrats: among independent voters, 36% said they would vote for Democrats if congressional elections were held today. Only 22% said they would vote for Republicans.
Economy becoming Trump's weak spot
It's not just foreign policy issues that are putting pressure on the President's political standing. Americans are increasingly concerned about the cost of living, particularly gas prices.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 71% of respondents disapprove of Trump's handling of the cost of living. There are also quite a few Republicans who feel this way—about 4 in 10.
This is a particularly sensitive issue in the run-up to the election. For the first time in about a decade, more registered voters say the Democratic Party has better solutions for the economy than the Republicans.
Iran war also hurting President's approval rating
Another source of dissatisfaction remains the war with Iran. Only 36% of Americans approve of Trump's actions regarding the conflict, while 71% disapprove.
An August poll also recorded a drop in overall support for US military action against Iran. Only 31% of Americans said they support continuing the military campaign.
The war also has direct economic consequences. Disruptions in the global oil trade have caused fuel prices to rise in the US, which is fueling Americans' dissatisfaction with the cost of living.
Context
On November 8, the US will hold midterm elections for Congress. The results will determine whether the Democrats will retain their majority in Congress or whether control will shift to the Republicans.
In an in-depth article, we discussed who will be running in these elections and why this is important for Ukraine. Currently, Republicans are divided between those who see the need to contain Russia and those who favor a more isolationist foreign policy.
