Republican Party Faces Growing Discontent Ahead of the 2026 Midterms

A new AP-NORC poll conducted October 8–12 surveyed 1,119 adults (925 registered voters). Only 44 % of Republican voters approve President Donald Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 54 % back his management of the broader economy. Overall, 74 % of respondents disapprove of the administration’s economic performance, and 45 % of GOP voters want “substantial change” in how the country is run, with an additional 13 % favoring “complete upheaval.” These figures arrive less than four weeks before the scheduled General Election Day on November 3.

Newsweek

Wyoming’s August 18 Republican primary—its decisive contest in a state that gave Trump 70 % of the vote in each of his presidential runs—produced a “spectacular rebuke” of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, which lost its House majority. The defeat reflects a broader pattern: Republicans have lost House seats in 18 of the 20 midterm elections since 1946, a historical headwind that now combines with internal dissatisfaction.

France 24

• Economic sentiment: 8 in 10 voters rank the economy or cost of living among their top issues (AP-NORC).

Newsweek

• Approval gaps: 69 % of GOP voters back Trump on foreign policy; 45 % approve his stance on crime.

Newsweek

• Inflation: The September Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a 0.6 % monthly rise and a 3.7 % annual increase, the fastest since September 2023 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Newsweek

• Election forecasts: VoteHub’s October 15 model gave Democrats an 84 % chance of controlling the House and 59 % chance of winning the Senate. The Cook Political Report’s October 9 House ratings listed 21 toss-up races; its October 6 Senate assessment identified seven toss-ups, six involving Republican seats.

Newsweek

• “The world is going backwards. We can barely afford anything,” — Diana Walker

Associated Press

• “Excited to welcome President Trump back to Georgia on Friday!” — Mike Collins

WUGA - NPR - Athens

• “Georgia’s a state that believes in common sense, and yet your terrible senator, Jon Ossoff — he’s terrible,” — Donald Trump, of US president

WUGA - NPR - Athens

• “We didn’t like what we were reading,” — President Trump, of US president

The Hill

Voters will see the final pre-election CPI reading on November 10, after which the Federal Reserve’s October 28 meeting may adjust interest rates in response to inflation trends. Campaigns continue to mobilize supporters ahead of early voting in Georgia through October 30 and the nationwide ballot on November 3.

Newsweek