Full Breakdown
Trump Approval Plummets in New Jersey and Nationwide Ahead of Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Findings from Recent Polls
- The William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy poll of New Jersey registered voters found 64 % disapprove of President Donald Trump’s performance and 31 % approve.
- The same poll reported 57 % say the economy has gotten worse over the past year, with a plurality (49 %) rating the economy as “poor.”
- Nationally, the New York Times poll (Siena University) placed Trump’s approval at 36 % and disapproval at 59 %, the lowest the paper has recorded.
- CNN/SSRS polling showed an approval rating of 32 %, a seven-point drop from the last pre-midterm reading.
- Reuters/Ipsos tracking recorded a 31 % approval rating, a new career low, with a 64 % disapproval rate.
- RealClearPolitics’ average (mid-October 2026) listed Trump at 38.9 % approval and 59.3 % disapproval; the New York Times average showed 37 % approval and 61 % disapproval; Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin average gave 37.5 % approval and 59.9 % disapproval.
Background & Context
Earlier polling in September 2024 showed 68 % of New Jersey voters “somewhat confident” that election results would be accurate. By 2026 confidence had fallen to 58 % overall, with Democrats (69 %) more confident than Independents (54 %) and Republicans (48 %). The Hughes Center poll also noted a shift in party trust: voters favored Democrats on all five issue categories tested, with the widest gaps on healthcare (58 % vs. 25 %) and the cost of living (55 % vs. 29 %).
Official Statements & Responses
She added that “these shifts suggest that confidence in elections is closely tied to national politics and which party is in power.”
President Trump responded on Truth Social, writing, “They will all go to jail for a long period of time!!!” in reference to a Department of Justice notice to California officials concerning alleged non-citizen voter registrations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Approval ratings: The New York Times poll reports 36 % approval; CNN/SSRS reports 32 %; Reuters/Ipsos reports 31 %; RealClearPolitics averages 38.9 %. The variation reflects differing methodologies.
- Election-result confidence: The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll shows 70 % doubt Trump will accept a Republican loss, while 63 % of Republicans say they will accept the outcome, highlighting a partisan perception gap.
Verbatim Quote
- “We expect partisans to trust their own party on these key policy issues, but it was notable to see where Independents landed. Although they favored the Democratic party on most of the issues we asked about, it was not by a majority,” — Alyssa Maurice, assistant director of the Hughes Center
What’s Next
The November 2026 midterm elections will determine control of Congress. Polls show Democrats holding a lead in generic congressional ballots, while voter confidence in election integrity remains divided along party lines. Both state-level and national outcomes will be closely watched as indicators of Trump’s political standing heading into the next presidential cycle.