Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Hits Record Lows Ahead of Midterms
By Drooid · · How we work
State-by-State Net Approval
A Civiqs state-by-state tracker shows President Donald Trump holding a positive net approval rating in only eight states—Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. Wyoming leads with a +14% net rating. In contrast, most states register negative net approval, including Texas (-21%), Michigan (-27%) and Kansas (-1%). Montana and South Dakota are evenly split at 46% approving and 46% disapproving.
Recent Poll Results
Multiple national surveys released in the weeks before the midterm elections indicate historically low support. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Oct 19 found only 31% of Americans approving of Trump’s job performance, the lowest level recorded by the pollster during either of his terms. A New York Times/Siena College poll released in late October reported a 34% approval rating, while a CNN/SSRS survey reported a record-low 32% approval, down one point from the previous month. The USAToday Civiqs tracker notes an overall disapproval rate of 64% among registered voters.
Historical Context of Midterm Approval
According to the New York Times, Trump’s current approval rating is the lowest for a president heading into a midterm election since Harry Truman’s 33% rating in 1946. The combination of negative net approval in key battleground states and the nationwide disapproval levels marks a departure from typical incumbent performance in midterm cycles.
Potential Electoral Impact
The tracker’s data indicate that negative sentiment is strongest in states that were pivotal in recent elections, such as Texas and Michigan. With only a handful of states still showing positive net approval, Republican candidates in those regions may face heightened electoral challenges as they seek to retain congressional majorities. The low approval figures suggest a broader difficulty for the party in leveraging presidential popularity to influence down-ballot races.