Former President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the U.S. economy will enable the Republican Party to perform well in the upcoming midterm elections, despite current polling data indicating a Democratic advantage. In remarks reported on October 28, 2026, Trump emphasized his belief that economic factors will bolster Republican support, even as recent surveys show challenges for his party.

A Reuters Ipsos poll released the same day showed Trump’s approval rating at 32%, a slight increase of one percentage point from the previous week, which marked a record low for the former president. The survey also found that 47% of registered voters preferred the Democratic Party to control Congress, compared to 36% who favored Republicans. When including undecided voters’ preferences, Democrats maintained a lead with 50% to the Republicans’ 41%.

Economic issues continue to dominate voter concerns, with 73% of respondents indicating that the cost of living is moving in the wrong direction. Addressing these worries, Trump acknowledged the impact of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran on oil prices. “I thought the price of oil was going to go much, much higher,” he said, but maintained that the conflict, which has raised energy costs, would conclude shortly.

Trump’s comments came amid discussions of his administration’s past economic performance, which he cited as a foundation for his optimistic outlook. He also made a brief personal remark, noting that “Cindy’s doing great,” though he did not elaborate further on the context.

The polling data and voter sentiment suggest that, while Republicans face significant headwinds, economic factors and foreign policy developments remain key elements in shaping public opinion as the election approaches.