Full Breakdown
Trump Approval Rating Falls to Record Low in Wall Street Journal Poll
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A new Wall Street Journal poll shows President Donald Trump’s job approval at 37 percent, the lowest level recorded for a sitting president shortly before a midterm election in the outlet’s historical series. The survey, conducted in mid-September with 1,500 registered voters and a 2.5-point margin of error, places Trump behind former President George W. Bush’s 39 percent rating in his second term and far below the 60 percent of respondents who say the president’s economic policies have worsened the economy.
Background & Context
The poll emerges as the 2024 midterms approach, with Democrats leading Republicans in recent national surveys. The GOP’s electoral outlook is further strained by the ongoing war in Iran, now in its seventh month, which has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to higher fuel costs for Americans.
Data & Statistics
- Approval rating: 37 percent (Wall Street Journal poll).
- Economic perception: 60 percent say Trump’s policies have worsened the economy; 25 percent say they have improved it; 10 percent see no effect.
- Gas prices: The American Automobile Association reports the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline at about $4.48, up from roughly $3.13 a year earlier.
- Poll methodology: Conducted in mid-September, sampling 1,500 registered voters; margin of error ± 2.5 percentage points.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I would completely agree that the House has been kind of a done deal for a good while,” — Charlie Cook, founder of the Cook Political Report
These figures and commentary illustrate the challenging electoral environment facing President Trump and the Republican Party as the midterm elections draw near.
