President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to a new low in the weeks leading up to the midterm elections, according to a recent national poll conducted among likely voters. The survey highlights rising dissatisfaction with his handling of key issues such as the economy, the war in Iran, and high gas prices, contributing to a political environment that favors Democrats.
The poll shows that only 36 percent of likely voters approve of Trump's job performance, while 59 percent disapprove, marking the lowest rating recorded in comparable polls. Disapproval is particularly strong among independent voters, with more than two-thirds expressing dissatisfaction. Economic concerns feature prominently: approximately three-quarters of respondents rate the economy as fair or poor, and 69 percent disapprove of Trump’s management of the cost of living. There is also widespread disapproval of his approach to the conflict in Iran (65 percent) and the rising gas prices, which have averaged above $4 a gallon nationally, with nearly 75 percent of voters expressing negative views.
These sentiments translate into electoral preferences as well. The survey finds that likely voters favor Democratic candidates over Republicans by an 11-point margin in congressional races, an improvement for Democrats since the previous month and an indicator of political momentum going into November. This shift includes gains among demographic groups that contributed to Trump’s 2024 victory, such as men, young voters, and Hispanic voters.
However, Democrats face continued challenges, especially in their bid to secure control of the Senate. They are targeting Republican-held seats in states like Texas, Iowa, Alaska, and Ohio—states Trump won by significant margins in 2024. Recent polling suggests tight competition in several key Senate races, underscoring the uncertainty of the final outcome.
On the broader political landscape, voters’ perceptions of the two major parties have shifted. Majorities now view the Democratic Party as representing the working class and as more reliable in keeping promises, a reversal from two years ago when Republicans held those advantages. Democrats are also seen as more empathetic and capable of addressing average Americans’ problems across most demographic groups.
Immigration has surfaced as an increasingly important issue, with 10 percent of voters ranking it as their top concern—up from 6 percent a month earlier. Among Republicans, nearly 20 percent identify immigration as their primary priority, doubling the share from the prior poll. Trust in Republican leadership on immigration remains notable but has narrowed; 46 percent of voters trust Republicans on immigration compared to 50 percent who trust Democrats.
Despite these gains for Democrats in voter sentiment, overall satisfaction with the Democratic Party remains low. Only 28 percent of voters express satisfaction with the party, which is notably lower than the 36 percent who say they are satisfied with the Republican Party. Much of the Democratic dissatisfaction comes from within its own ranks, with 43 percent of Democrats expressing unhappiness with their party, contrasted with just 16 percent of Republicans reporting dissatisfaction.
Individual voter narratives exemplify these trends. Paul Gettings, a former logistics company executive from Simi Valley, California, who supported Trump in 2024, plans to vote Democratic this election, citing concerns over high gas prices, the war in Iran, and immigration enforcement.
Overall, the poll underscores a challenging political climate for Republicans and President Trump while indicating persistent hurdles for Democrats as they aim to expand their influence in Congress.