Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Hits Record Low in Fox News Poll Ahead of 2026 Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Record-low approval and a Democratic generic-ballot edge
A Fox News poll conducted Oct. 9-12 surveyed 1,202 registered voters nationwide. President Donald Trump received a 36 % approval rating and a 64 % disapproval rating, the lowest recorded by the network in either of his terms. Only 22 % approved of his handling of inflation, while 77 % disapproved. The same poll showed Democrats leading the generic congressional ballot by nine points, their largest advantage of the year in Fox News polling.
Background & Context: Midterm dynamics and economic anxiety
Midterm elections traditionally penalize the party of the incumbent president. Voters cited the cost of living as their top economic worry (six-in-ten), followed by inflation (58 % extremely concerned) and gas prices (50 %). Democrats were perceived as more capable on healthcare, inflation, and foreign policy, while Republicans retained a modest lead on crime and border security.
Data & Statistics
- Economic sentiment: 74 % rate the economy negatively; 53 % expect it to worsen next year.
- Inflation: 55 % say inflation is “not at all” under control; 77 % disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation.
- Generic ballot: Democrats +9 points; other national averages place Trump’s approval between 30 % and 38 % (Reuters/Ipsos, Pew Research, Economist/YouGov).
- Voter intent: 70 % say their November vote will send a message to Trump; 47 % would oppose him, 25 % would support him.
- Party loyalty: 98 % of Democrats and 94 % of Republicans say they will back their party’s candidate.
Criticism & Opposition
Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen, said the poll’s findings show “the public is furious about the corruption they see from the government.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Fox News poll places Trump’s overall approval at 36 %, Reuters/Ipsos reported 32 %, the Economist/YouGov 38 %, and Pew Research 30 %. Different sample sizes and dates (e.g., Reuters/Ipsos surveyed Sept. 30-Oct. 5) produce variance, but all indicate a historic low.
What’s Next
The midterm election is scheduled for early November 2026. If the current generic-ballot gap holds, Democrats are projected to secure a House majority, while the Senate remains competitive.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The public is furious about the corruption they see from the government,” — Lisa Gilbert, co-president of Public Citizen
- “Corruption is going to be one of the biggest issues of the 2028 election,” — Adam Carlson
