Two weeks before the US midterm congressional elections, incumbent President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to a new all-time low. This is evidenced by the results of a national poll conducted by Post-ABC-Ipsos for The Washington Post: only 33% of respondents approve of the president's job performance, while 66% disapprove and 52% express strong dissatisfaction.
Rating Lower Than During First Term
According to the publication, the current approval level is four percentage points lower than in July and eight points lower than at the same point last year. This is the lowest figure of his entire presidential career—lower than at any point during his first term. Among likely voters, Trump's job approval stands at 38%, with 62% opposing the president's agenda.
Economy Shifts to Democrats' Column
For the first time in more than a decade, Americans trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle economic issues. In the fight for control of the House of Representatives, Democrats hold an eight-point advantage among registered and likely voters—five points higher than in July. Meanwhile, 72% of respondents believe the country is on the wrong track, up five points from April.
The Iran War Factor and Gasoline Prices
The Washington Post links the loss of trust to the president's decision to launch a war with Iran and its consequences for citizens' wallets, primarily rising gasoline prices. Voters were also asked whether they preferred a Congress led by Democrats capable of checking Trump or Republicans who support him. 58% of registered voters favored Democrats compared to 39% for Republicans—a margin twice as wide as a year ago.
What's Next: Turnout and Investigation Threats
Republicans maintain an advantage in political advertising funding, but turnout will be a key factor. It remains unclear how many of the 77 million voters who backed Trump in 2024 will go to the polls: turnout in midterm elections is traditionally lower than in presidential years. Earlier reports noted that if Democrats win Congress, investigations and the potential initiation of a third impeachment could pose real threats to the president's inner circle.
