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Trump approval sinks to record low 31% as Republicans face midterm headwinds

Polls show broad dissatisfaction with direction of country and rising fuel costs

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 31 percent, a record low for his political career, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday. The same survey found Democrats leading Republicans by 12 points on a generic ballot, while a series of other polls show deepening public frustration with the economy and the administration's handling of the US-Israel war on Iran.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted last week, marks the lowest approval rating President Trump has recorded during his time in office. The percentage of Americans who disapprove of his performance has climbed steadily in recent months, particularly since the February 28 launch of the US-Israel war on Iran. That conflict has driven up petrol and diesel prices, with knock-on effects across the broader economy.

The president's party is also facing headwinds ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The same poll found that when asked whether they would vote for a generic, unnamed Democrat or Republican, respondents favoured the Democrat by 12 percentage points.

Two other national polls released on the same day reinforce the trend. An NBC News survey found that 71 percent of Americans believe the country is on the "wrong track" and that 55 percent would vote for the Democratic Party if an election were held that day. A Washington Post/ABC/Ipsos poll put Trump's approval at 33 percent, with 7 in 10 respondents saying petrol or gasoline was becoming unaffordable.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Trump's approval rating has hit a career low, signalling weakening political standing as the midterm elections approach.
  • The Republican Party's 12-point deficit on a generic ballot suggests Democratic gains in the House and Senate are possible, which could shift legislative priorities.
  • Rising fuel costs tied to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran are a central driver of public discontent, making the economic fallout of foreign policy a decisive midterm issue.

Background

Donald Trump has maintained relatively low approval ratings throughout his presidency, but the current figure is his worst yet. The midterm elections on November 3 will determine control of both chambers of Congress. Historically, the president's party often loses seats in midterms, but the scale of Republican losses may be amplified if voter dissatisfaction remains high. The war with Iran, launched in late February, has pushed energy prices upward, squeezing household budgets and becoming a prominent political liability.

Key Perspectives

Trump administration: The White House has not yet commented on the poll numbers, but the administration has maintained that its economic and foreign policies are working in the long term. Democrats: The Democratic Party is positioned to capitalise on voter frustration, focusing on affordability and accountability. Opposition leaders have used the poll results to argue that the president is out of touch with everyday Americans. Voters: A large majority of Americans say the country is on the wrong track, and many cite the rising cost of fuel as a personal burden. Polls indicate that swing voters are drifting toward the Democratic Party ahead of November.

What to Watch

  • Whether the Reuters/Ipsos approval figure stabilises or continues to fall as the midterm campaign intensifies.
  • The next monthly inflation and fuel price reports, which will serve as a barometer for how the war's economic impact is evolving.
  • Key primary results and debate performances that could signal whether the generic ballot gap narrows before election day.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by June Katz on the World desk. Edited by Angus Burke, chief sub.

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