Trump’s Approval Ratings Hit Record Lows Ahead of Midterms

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has reached a record low according to a Fox News Poll, with only 36 percent of those surveyed expressing approval of his job performance. This decline comes as economic concerns weigh heavily on American households less than three weeks before the Election Day.

The poll indicates that the drop in Trump’s approval stems partly from decreased support among voters under age 45, individuals without a college degree, non-white voters, and those with an annual household income of less than $50,000.

Robert Y. Shapiro, a professor of political science at Columbia, emphasized the dire situation for Republicans, noting that Trump’s efforts to assist them are clearly not yielding results.

Midterm elections often serve as a reflection of the political climate facing the ruling party. Historically, the president’s party tends to lose seats during these elections. Currently, Republicans maintain a narrow majority in both the House and Senate.

The president’s overall approval rating, along with his approval on specific policy issues such as the economy, immigration, jobs, and the ongoing conflict in Iran, has experienced a decline. Households across America consistently express concerns about affordability. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but received no immediate response.

Key Polling Insights

According to the new poll:

• Trump’s disapproval rating is at 64 percent, while his approval rating among independents is 22 percent, with 78 percent disapproving.
• Only 22 percent approve of Trump’s handling of inflation, marking a new low. Additionally, 74 percent view the economy negatively, and 53 percent anticipate it worsening next year.
• Nearly 60 percent of respondents cite the cost of living as their top economic concern, with 55 percent stating that inflation is not under control.
• Seven in ten voters indicate they will participate in this year’s midterm election to send a message to Trump. If the election were held today, 54 percent would support Democratic candidates for the House compared to 45 percent for Republicans, according to the poll.

Shapiro’s Analysis

Shapiro pointed out that Trump’s instincts have misjudged the election by focusing it on himself. He suggests addressing the tariffs and the Iran conflict, affecting energy prices and other goods dependent on oil. The war also poses as a foreign policy and security issue where Trump failed to deliver a promised victory.

With Trump’s low approval rating playing a significant role in this election, Shapiro mentions that without a sudden breakthrough in the Iran conflict or peace in Ukraine, it might be too late to alter the current scenario. He suggests providing ample financial support to Republican candidates and maximizing media outreach to mobilize and engage voters.

Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, remarked on the slight decrease in Trump’s ratings, noting that it slightly worsens an already challenging situation for Republicans.

Voter Trust and Other Polls

The poll further shows that voters trust Democrats over Republicans on key issues like healthcare, gas prices, artificial intelligence, and foreign policy. However, Republicans retain more trust on issues like border security, crime, and immigration.

The Fox News Poll surveyed 1,202 registered voters nationwide from October 9 to October 12, with a margin of error of 2.5 percent.

Additional surveys support these findings:

• The Economist/YouGov poll records Trump’s approval at 38 percent, with a 61 percent disapproval. This poll included 1,403 U.S. registered voters from October 10 to October 12, holding a 3.5 percent margin of error.
• A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s approval at 32 percent versus 65 percent disapproval, surveying 4,506 respondents from September 30 to October 5, with a 1.5 percent margin of error.
• Pew Research Center finds Trump’s approval at 30 percent, with a disapproval at 68 percent, surveying 5,062 U.S. adults from September 28 to October 4, bearing a 1.6 percent margin of error.