Story perspectives

Trump Trails in 39 States Ahead of Midterms

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 4:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump trails in 39 states a week before the midterm elections.
Civiqs, based on 138,839 responses (Jan 20 2025-Oct 26 2026), shows 34% approve and 60% disapprove, net –26.
A poll of 3,494 voters (Oct 12-19) finds Trump at 38% approval and 57% disapproval in the Midwest.
Political science professor Costas Panagopoulos said Trump’s policies have hit Midwestern farmers and working-class communities especially hard.

History

Historical Context

In the 1994 U.S. midterm elections, often called the Republican Revolution, the GOP seized 54 House seats, overturning President Bill Clinton’s agenda. Polling by national Gallup that November recorded Clinton’s 45% approval versus 53% disapproval, a 8-point gap that fueled voter backlash. Today's polls showing former President Donald Trump lagging in 39 states with a 26-point disapproval margin echo the 1994 pattern where a president’s low ratings precipitated massive congressional losses. The 1994 outcome warned that sustained negative sentiment can reshape legislative control, suggesting Trump’s current deficits may jeopardize Republican prospects in the 2026 midterms.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump trails in 39 states a week before the midterm elections.
Civiqs, based on 138,839 responses (Jan 20 2025-Oct 26 2026), shows 34% approve and 60% disapprove, net –26.
A poll of 3,494 voters (Oct 12-19) finds Trump at 38% approval and 57% disapproval in the Midwest.
Political science professor Costas Panagopoulos said Trump’s policies have hit Midwestern farmers and working-class communities especially hard.

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