Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Record Lows as Midterms Loom
By Drooid · · How we work
Record Low Approval Ratings Ahead of the Midterms
Two recent polls show President Donald Trump’s job approval at historic lows for an incumbent president shortly before a midterm election. A Wall Street Journal poll of 1,500 registered voters conducted in mid-September placed Trump’s approval at 37 %, the lowest level recorded by the outlet since it began polling in 1990. A Quinnipiac University poll released five weeks before the election found his approval tied at 34 %, matching the president’s lowest rating in that survey’s history. Disapproval rates were 60 % and 61 % respectively.
Polling Data and Comparisons
Both surveys compare Trump’s numbers to those of former presidents at similar points. The Wall Street Journal poll notes the closest prior benchmark was former President George W. Bush’s 39 % approval during the 2006 midterms, a race that produced a Democratic takeover of both chambers. The Quinnipiac poll highlights that Trump’s 31 % approval on the economy and 28 % on Iran are the lowest the university has recorded during his terms. Voters also expressed a clear preference for Democratic control of the House (51 % to 39 %).
Context: War in Iran and Economic Concerns
The polls were taken as the United States entered the seventh month of the conflict with Iran, which has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to higher gasoline prices—averaging about $4.48 per gallon, up from roughly $3.13 a year earlier. Economic dissatisfaction is reflected in the surveys: 60-65 % of respondents said Trump’s policies have worsened the economy, while a majority view the overall economy as weak.
Official Reactions
Election analyst Charlie Cook described the House race as “a done deal” for Democrats, indicating a strong likelihood of a Democratic majority. Quinnipiac polling analyst Tim Malloy warned that the declining approval numbers constitute “a warning light flashing red for the GOP scrambling to stay in power.” Both comments underscore expectations that the GOP faces a challenging electoral environment.
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
- “A warning light flashing red for the GOP scrambling to stay in power,” — Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac polling analyst