Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a record low of 33 per cent, just over two weeks before the US midterm elections, in a warning sign for Republicans fighting to retain control of Congress.
Two-thirds of Americans surveyed said they disapproved of the president’s performance, including 52 per cent who strongly disapproved. Among likely voters, Mr Trump’s approval rating stood at 38 per cent, compared with 62 per cent who disapproved.
The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll was conducted between October 9 and 13 among 2,545 adults, with the elections due to take place on November 3. Mr Trump’s overall rating was four points lower than in July and eight points below its level a year ago. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/18/trump-approval-hits-record-low-handing-democrats-clear-midterm-edge/))
Trump approval rating falls as Democrats gain ground
The findings also showed Democrats holding an eight-point advantage over Republicans among voters asked which party they would support for Congress. That represented a five-point improvement for Democrats since July.
Voters preferred a Democratic-controlled Congress acting as a check on Mr Trump by 58 per cent to 39 per cent, rather than a Republican majority backing his agenda, according to the poll.
The economy has emerged as a particular vulnerability for the president. Just 28 per cent approved of his handling of economic matters, while 70 per cent disapproved. Roughly three-quarters of respondents also criticised his management of inflation and the cost of living.
For the first time in more than a decade, Americans said they trusted Democrats more than Republicans to handle the economy. Democrats held a 40 per cent to 33 per cent advantage on the issue, while 48 per cent said they were financially worse off than when Mr Trump returned to the White House in 2025. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/18/trump-approval-hits-record-low-handing-democrats-clear-midterm-edge/))
The poll found that 72 per cent believed the country was heading in the wrong direction, up five points from April. Economic concerns and the cost of living were also identified as leading issues by voters in separate Associated Press-NORC polling carried out ahead of the election.
That survey found that about three-quarters of Democratic voters considered it extremely important to vote in November, compared with roughly six in ten Republicans, suggesting Democrats may have an enthusiasm advantage as turnout efforts intensify. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/e12dd9b19013c75a3d4ede01c1b9d0c3))
Mr Trump has made himself central to the Republican campaign, telling supporters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot” as he rallies candidates and seeks to maintain his party’s narrow House majority.
Democratic candidates and their allies have also embraced that strategy. An Associated Press analysis of AdImpact data found that more than $163 million had been spent on television advertising mentioning Mr Trump since September 1.
Presidential approval ratings are traditionally seen as an important indicator in midterm elections, although the national figures do not determine the outcome of individual House or Senate contests. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, while their advantage in the House is narrow.
A Democratic takeover of either chamber would give the opposition greater power to investigate the administration, issue subpoenas and block presidential nominees, sharply limiting Mr Trump’s ability to advance his agenda during the remainder of his term.
