Trump’s Approval Ratings Shift Among Young Voters Amid Midterm Countdown

A Harvard/Harris online survey conducted September 26-28 2026 among 2,200 registered voters found 41 percent of voters aged 18-24 approved of President Donald Trump’s job performance, while 54 percent disapproved, narrowing the net rating to –13 points. This marks a sharp increase from the July 11-12 2026 poll, which recorded 25 percent approval and 67 percent disapproval (net –42 points).

Newsweek

Trump’s broader popularity remains low. The Economist’s YouGov tracker (Sept 29 2026) listed a net approval of –26 (35 percent approve, 61 percent disapprove). An AP/NORC poll (early Oct 2026) reported a record-low 31 percent overall approval and 69 percent disapproval. Civiqs’ rolling poll (Sept 28 2026) placed Trump underwater in 39 states, with a national approval estimate of 34 percent.

The Hill

• Harvard/Harris (July 11-12 2026): 25 % approve, 67 % disapprove (net –42).

Newsweek

• Harvard/Harris (Sept 26-28 2026): 41 % approve, 54 % disapprove (net –13).

Newsweek

• Economist/YouGov (Sept 29 2026): 35 % approve, 61 % disapprove (net –26).

• AP/NORC (early Oct 2026): 31 % approve, 69 % disapprove.

The Hill

• Civiqs (Sept 28 2026): President underwater in 39 states; overall approval 34 %.

Newsweek

Improved sentiment among 18-24-year-olds could affect Republican prospects if it translates into higher turnout, though younger voters historically vote at lower rates. Analyst Emily Alvarez of NORC warned that “since he’s not on the ballot, the extent to which his numbers do or don’t bode well for either party will depend on how much voters tie the candidates who are on the ballot to President Trump and the way he’s been governing.” The Republican strategy therefore hinges on converting warmer feelings into electoral urgency, especially in tightly contested House districts and Senate races.

Newsweek

The administration points to policy achievements—tax cuts, job growth, and lower crime—as evidence of “historic progress,” though no new polling data were provided in response to the recent surveys.

A Navigator poll (June 4-July 27 2026) reported 33 percent approval among Generation Z and 31 percent regret over supporting Trump in 2024, using a broader age range and different methodology. Both surveys note sizable margins of error (±2.1-2.3 points for Harvard/Harris; ±2.2 points for Navigator), leaving uncertainty about the precise magnitude of the shift. The polls do not isolate the drivers of the change—whether increased Republican enthusiasm, Democratic disengagement, or sampling variations.

Newsweek

• “Since he's not on the ballot, the extent to which his numbers do or don't bode well for either party will depend on how much voters tie the candidates who are on the ballot to President Trump and the way he's been governing,” — Emily Alvarez, analyst with NORC

Newsweek