Trump Approval Hits Record Low Ahead of US Midterms

US President Donald Trump‘s approval ratings have fallen to record lows as the war with Iran and rising inflation fuel voter dissatisfaction, according to two new polls. The findings point to growing political challenges for Republicans just weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when control of Congress will be at stake.

Surveys conducted by The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos and Fox News show that a majority of respondents disapprove of Trump’s performance, with economic concerns emerging as a significant source of frustration. The findings also indicate dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran, which has contributed to higher fuel costs for American households.

The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll puts Trump’s approval rating among American adults at 33%, while 66% disapprove of his performance. More than half of respondents, 52%, said they strongly disapprove of the president.

The result represents an eight-percentage-point decline from the same period a year earlier and a four-point drop since July. The survey also places Trump’s approval below every reading recorded during his first presidential term. Among likely voters, his approval stands at 38%, compared with 62% who disapprove.

A separate Fox News poll found that 36% of respondents approve of Trump’s overall performance, while 64% disapprove. The survey described the result as the lowest approval rating recorded across his two terms in office.

Although the surveys use different methodologies and should not be treated as directly interchangeable, both indicate widespread dissatisfaction with the president’s performance. Their findings could intensify Republican concerns about the electoral consequences of the economy, inflation and the Iran conflict.

Trump’s Falling Approval Raises Concerns for Republicans

The polls arrive at a crucial point in the US political calendar. On November 3, voters are scheduled to elect all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 senators, alongside candidates in gubernatorial and other state and local races.

Republicans are seeking to retain control of Congress, where the balance of power will determine how much legislative support Trump can expect during the remainder of his term. A shift in either chamber could reshape the administration’s ability to advance its policy priorities.

Midterm elections often serve as a test of public opinion on the sitting president and the governing party. Voters may use the elections to express their views on economic conditions, foreign policy and the administration’s broader performance.

The latest polls suggest Republicans face difficulties on several of these issues. Trump’s low overall approval ratings are accompanied by negative assessments of his economic management and foreign policy, creating a potentially challenging environment for Republican candidates.

However, national approval ratings do not determine individual congressional races. Election outcomes will also depend on candidates, local issues, turnout, campaign organisation and the distribution of competitive seats across states and districts.

Inflation and Economic Concerns Weigh on Trump

Economic dissatisfaction stands out as one of the main weaknesses identified in both surveys. Despite the importance of economic issues to voters, the findings suggest that many Americans remain unhappy with how the administration is handling inflation and the wider economy.

The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that Democrats have gained an advantage over Republicans in voters’ trust to handle the economy. According to the survey, this is the first time in more than a decade that Democrats have held such an advantage on the issue.

The poll also found widespread pessimism about the country’s direction. A total of 72% of respondents said the United States was heading in the wrong direction, an increase of five percentage points since April.

The figure suggests that dissatisfaction extends beyond individual policy decisions to broader concerns about the country’s trajectory. Such sentiment can influence how voters assess the party in power, particularly when household expenses remain a central concern.

The Fox News poll revealed similarly weak ratings for Trump’s handling of inflation. Only 22% of respondents approved of his performance on the issue, down from 36% in a survey conducted the previous summer.

The decline highlights the political difficulty of addressing the cost of living. Even when an administration promotes its economic policies, voters may judge its performance according to the prices they encounter when buying groceries, paying utility bills or filling their vehicles with petrol.

Fox News Poll Shows Disapproval Across Key Policy Areas

The Fox News survey found that disapproval outweighed approval across several major policy areas, suggesting that voter dissatisfaction is not confined to inflation alone.

According to the poll, 70% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy. His approach to tariffs received a 69% disapproval rating, while 64% disapproved of his foreign policy and 56% disapproved of his immigration policies.

Border security was the notable exception. Opinion was evenly divided, with 50% approving of Trump’s handling of the issue and 50% disapproving.

The results indicate that the administration faces different levels of public resistance across its policy agenda. While border security remains a point of division, the survey recorded considerably higher disapproval for economic management, tariffs and foreign policy.

Tariffs are particularly relevant to the economic debate because trade measures can affect the prices businesses and consumers pay for imported goods. The ultimate effect depends on factors such as the products targeted, how companies respond and whether additional costs are passed on to consumers.

The polling results do not establish that any single policy is responsible for Trump’s overall decline in approval. They do, however, show that economic concerns and dissatisfaction with several major policy areas coincide with the president’s weakening ratings.

Iran War Adds Pressure Through Rising Fuel Costs

The continuing conflict with Iran has added another source of political pressure for the administration. The war has raised concerns about regional stability and energy markets, while higher oil prices have increased fuel expenses for American households.

Energy prices can become a significant political issue in the United States because changes in petrol costs are visible to consumers and can affect household budgets directly. Higher fuel expenses can also increase transportation and operating costs for businesses, potentially placing additional pressure on prices elsewhere in the economy.

The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey found substantial public concern about Trump’s decision to go to war. Respondents also reported that the conflict was affecting their finances, particularly through petrol prices.

Figures cited in the Fox News report showed regular petrol selling for around $4.33 per gallon on Wednesday, $1.25 more than a year earlier. The increase represents a considerable additional expense for drivers who regularly fill their vehicles.

Fuel prices are influenced by several factors, including global crude oil prices, refining capacity, distribution costs, taxes and regional market conditions. A conflict involving Iran can affect energy markets through concerns about production and the movement of oil through strategically important shipping routes.

Nevertheless, the polling findings do not isolate the war as the sole cause of higher living costs or declining presidential approval. Inflation, trade policy and broader economic conditions are also part of the picture.

Trump Acknowledges Possible Electoral Cost of the Iran Conflict

Trump has acknowledged that the war could have consequences for Republicans in the midterm elections. He previously conceded that the conflict might cost the party votes in November, even as he defended the higher fuel expenses as a price worth paying for the military campaign.

His comments highlight the political trade-off facing the administration. A president may defend military action on national security grounds while still facing public criticism over its financial consequences for households.

Trump has also expressed confidence that petrol prices will eventually fall sharply, comparing the anticipated decline to “rocket ships in reverse”. Such a prediction could become important to the administration’s economic message if fuel costs ease before voters go to the polls.

However, energy prices can be affected by developments beyond the direct control of the White House. The duration of the conflict, changes in global supply, market expectations and geopolitical risks can all influence what consumers pay at the pump.

If fuel prices remain elevated, the issue could continue to feature prominently in debates over the administration’s performance. If they decline, that could ease one source of household pressure, although it would not necessarily resolve broader concerns about inflation or the economy.

Democrats See an Opportunity Ahead of November 3

The latest polling gives Democrats an opportunity to campaign on economic dissatisfaction and concerns about the Iran war as they seek to regain congressional power.

The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey found that Democratic registered voters were more likely than Republican counterparts to say they were certain to vote or had already cast their ballots. The figures stood at 75% among Democrats and 67% among Republicans.

That difference could matter in closely contested races, where turnout can influence the outcome. However, stated voting intentions are not the same as actual turnout, and the figures do not establish how many seats either party will win.

The poll also identified differences within the Republican electorate. Among Republicans who identify with the MAGA movement, 75% said they were certain to vote. The share fell to 57% among Republicans who do not identify with the movement.

The gap suggests that enthusiasm for participating in the election may vary among different groups within the Republican coalition. Whether this translates into a meaningful turnout difference will become clearer as voting takes place.

Fox News reported that Trump’s declining approval was particularly pronounced among likely voters aged 45 and younger, non-white voters, people without a college degree and households earning less than $50,000 annually.

These groups represent different demographic and economic constituencies, and the findings do not mean that every voter within them holds the same views. Nevertheless, dissatisfaction across several voter groups could complicate Republican efforts to maintain support beyond their strongest constituencies.

House Control Appears Vulnerable, but Senate Outcome Remains Uncertain

The findings cited in the reports point towards Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives, while the Senate contest remains too close to call.

The distinction is important because the two chambers have different electoral maps and political dynamics. Every House seat is contested, while only a portion of the Senate is up for election in any given cycle. As a result, national political sentiment can affect the chambers differently.

A Democratic takeover of the House would significantly constrain Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his term. The administration could face greater difficulty securing passage of legislation, funding priorities and other measures requiring congressional approval.

Control of the House would also give Democrats the ability to use congressional oversight powers, including subpoenas, as they investigate the administration. That could lead to more hearings and increased scrutiny of executive branch decisions.

However, a change in House control would not automatically prevent the administration from implementing every policy. The president retains executive powers, while the Senate has its own responsibilities and role in the legislative process.

The Senate outcome is particularly significant because it influences confirmation votes and the broader balance of congressional power. With the cited polling indicating an uncertain contest, the final result will depend on individual races and voter participation.

What the Polls Reveal About Trump’s Political Position

Taken together, the Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos and Fox News surveys present a picture of an administration facing considerable public dissatisfaction across economic and foreign policy issues.

Trump’s overall approval ratings of 33% and 36% in the respective polls show that disapproval substantially exceeds approval in both surveys. The findings also point to a decline in his standing compared with earlier measurements.

Inflation appears especially damaging in the Fox News survey, where just 22% approved of his handling of the issue. Meanwhile, the Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that a large majority of respondents believed the country was moving in the wrong direction.

The Iran war adds a further complication because its consequences extend beyond foreign policy. Higher fuel costs can make an overseas conflict a direct concern for households, connecting military decisions with the cost of everyday life.

Still, polls provide snapshots of public opinion rather than guaranteed election outcomes. Differences in survey methods, sampling, question wording and the composition of respondents can affect results. Individual congressional contests may also diverge from national polling trends.

What Happens Next Before the US Midterm Elections?

With November 3 approaching, the economy, inflation and the Iran conflict are likely to remain important issues in the political debate. Republican candidates will need to address voters’ concerns about living costs and the administration’s policy choices, while Democrats are likely to emphasise dissatisfaction reflected in the surveys.

The direction of fuel prices could become particularly important. A sustained decline may ease pressure on household budgets, while continued increases could reinforce concerns about the economic consequences of the war.

Voter turnout will also be crucial. The reported gap between Democratic and Republican voting certainty suggests a possible difference in enthusiasm, but actual participation may not match survey responses. Campaign activity, local issues and late developments could affect voters’ decisions.

For Republicans, the central challenge is whether they can persuade enough voters that their economic and policy agenda deserves continued congressional support. For Democrats, the opportunity lies in turning dissatisfaction with the administration into votes in competitive districts and states.

The latest polls suggest that Trump enters the final weeks before the midterms with weak approval ratings and substantial public concerns about the economy and Iran war. Whether that dissatisfaction produces a change in congressional control will depend on how voters respond when they cast their ballots.