Full Breakdown
Trump Approval Hits Record Low Ahead of Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Oct 19 found President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 31 %, the lowest level recorded in either of his presidential terms. The same survey showed a 12-point Democratic advantage in a generic-ballot question (47 % for Democrats vs. 35 % for Republicans). A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released two days earlier reported an even lower approval figure of 33 %, with 66 % of U.S. adults disapproving of his performance.
Context: Iran Conflict and Fuel Prices
Both polls linked the decline in support to the economic fallout from the war with Iran, which began after Trump ordered strikes in February alongside Israel. The conflict triggered a surge in gasoline prices, with some states seeing price increases of up to 50 %. Respondents cited rising fuel costs as the steepest personal expense, and 71 % said gasoline had become unaffordable.
Poll Findings
- Overall approval: 31 % (Reuters/Ipsos) vs. 33 % (Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos).
- Disapproval: 68 % (Reuters/Ipsos) and 66 % (Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos).
- Strong disapproval: 52 % of adults (Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos).
- Economic stewardship: 40 % of voters favored Democrats as better managers of the economy, compared with 33 % for Republicans (Reuters/Ipsos).
- Economic approval of Trump: 28 % (Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos).
- Financial outlook: 48 % said they were worse off financially than when Trump returned to office in 2025 (Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos).
Voter Sentiment and Early-Voting Action
On Oct 17, a coordinated “No Kings: Vote Early” protest took place in San Francisco, encouraging early voting ahead of the upcoming congressional elections. The demonstration reflected growing voter frustration and a desire to influence the upcoming midterms.
Potential Electoral Impact
The generic-ballot advantage for Democrats—12 points in the Reuters/Ipsos poll and an eight-point lead among registered and likely voters in the Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll—could bolster Democratic hopes of gaining control of the House and Senate. For Republicans, losing either chamber would complicate the administration’s agenda during the final two years of Trump’s term.