Story perspectives

Trump Approval Hits Record-Low 32% Ahead of 2026 Midterms

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 4:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval fell to a record-low 32% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll on September 21.
Sixty-one percent disapproved his job performance.
Sixty-five percent rated the economy negatively, blaming his policies.
Forty-five percent of voters said their congressional vote is mainly a vote against Trump.
Analysts project Democrats will gain the House and could flip the Senate in the November 3, 2026 midterms.

History

Historical Context

In the 1998 midterms, President Bill Clinton’s low approval coincided with Democrats gaining a net five House seats while Republicans lost five, breaking the usual six-year-itch pattern and prompting Newt Gingrich’s resignation. Historians note that such backlash against an unpopular president can reshape Congress. Donald Trump’s poor approval in September 2026 therefore mirrors the 1998 dynamic, suggesting a possible Democratic surge.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval fell to a record-low 32% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll on September 21.
Sixty-one percent disapproved his job performance.
Sixty-five percent rated the economy negatively, blaming his policies.
Forty-five percent of voters said their congressional vote is mainly a vote against Trump.
Analysts project Democrats will gain the House and could flip the Senate in the November 3, 2026 midterms.

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