President Donald Trump faces a new challenge as his approval rating drops to a historic low for either of his terms. A recent Fox News Poll reveals that only 36 percent of respondents approve of his performance, as economic issues impact American households with less than three weeks until Election Day.
The decline in Trump’s approval rating reflects a decrease among key demographics: voters under 45, individuals without a college degree, non-white voters, and those with annual household incomes below $50,000.
Robert Y. Shapiro, a political science professor at Columbia University, stated in Newsweek that the poll highlights a dire situation for Republicans. Efforts by Trump to assist them appear ineffective.
Midterm elections often gauge the political climate facing the ruling party. Historically, the president’s party tends to lose seats in these elections. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow majority in both the House and Senate.
Meanwhile, Trump’s approval on specific policy issues such as the economy, immigration, jobs, and the ongoing war in Iran has declined. Households across the U.S. are increasingly concerned about living costs.
Trump’s disapproval rating according to the new poll stands at 64 percent. Among independents, his approval rating is 22 percent versus a 78 percent disapproval score.
In terms of inflation, the president has a 22 percent approval rating, a new low per the Fox News Poll. Additionally, 74 percent of respondents rate the economy negatively, and 53 percent believe it will worsen next year. Nearly 60 percent identify the cost of living as their main economic concern, with 55 percent stating that inflation is out of control.
Significantly, seven in 10 voters say they intend to vote in the midterm elections to make a statement to Trump. If elections were held today, the poll indicates that 54 percent would support the Democratic candidate for the House, compared to 45 percent who would back the Republican candidate.
Shapiro further mentions that Trump has misjudged the situation by trying to center the election on himself. He suggests focusing on tariffs and the war in Iran’s impact on energy and other goods prices. Shapiro also mentions potential strategies such as providing funds to amplify Republican messaging in media to mobilize support.
Grant Davis Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, comments that while slightly lower, the numbers align with recent trends. The situation for Republicans, previously bleak, has worsened slightly.
The poll shows voters trust Democrats more on key issues like healthcare, gas prices, artificial intelligence, and foreign policy. Republicans hold more trust on border security, crime, and immigration.
The analysis surveyed 1,202 registered voters nationwide from October 9 to October 12, with a 2.5 percent margin of error.
Additional Poll Results
A survey by The Economist/YouGov reflects Trump’s overall approval rating at 38 percent, with 61 percent disapproval. This poll surveyed 1,403 U.S. registered voters from October 10 to October 12, maintaining a margin of error of 3.5 percent.
Another poll by Reuters/Ipsos indicates Trump’s approval at 32 percent with a 65 percent disapproval rating, based on 4,506 respondents surveyed from September 30 to October 5. It reported a 1.5 percent margin of error.
The Pew Research Center finds Trump’s approval at 30 percent, marking a significant low for his second term, with a 68 percent disapproval rating. This poll surveyed 5,062 U.S. adults between September 28 to October 4, and had a margin of error of 1.6 percent.