Trump Approval Rating Falls to 32% After 2026 Midterms

Trump Approval Rating Falls to 36% in Economist/YouGov Survey

The Economist/YouGov post-election survey found that 36% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance as president, while 62% disapproved. The approval figure represented a seven-percentage-point decline compared with the survey conducted before the November 3 midterm elections.

The survey’s findings suggest that dissatisfaction with the president remained widespread after the elections. The results also indicate that the political setback suffered by Republicans came amid broader concerns about the administration’s performance.

YouGov said the fieldwork for its post-election survey began after voting concluded on November 3, with the survey starting on November 4. The timing is significant because it captures public opinion immediately after the election rather than measuring attitudes before voters went to the polls.

However, the 36% approval figure should not be treated as a universal measure of Trump’s popularity. Different polling organisations use different survey dates, sample populations and methodologies, which can produce different estimates.

Reuters/Ipsos Poll Shows Trump Approval at 32%

A separate Reuters/Ipsos survey published on November 9 found that Trump’s approval rating stood at 32%, while his disapproval remained substantially higher. The figure was unchanged from two earlier Reuters/Ipsos polls conducted between late October and early November.

The survey found that Trump’s approval was only one percentage point above his career low of 31%, recorded in a Reuters/Ipsos poll in mid-October.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online across the United States from November 6 to November 9. It collected responses from 1,705 American adults and had a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.

The difference between the Economist/YouGov figure of 36% and the Reuters/Ipsos figure of 32% does not necessarily indicate a contradiction. The surveys were conducted by different organisations using different methodologies and fieldwork periods. Both, however, showed that Trump’s approval remained relatively low following the midterm elections.

Why Did Trump’s Approval Ratings Come Under Pressure?

The economy and the cost of living have emerged as major sources of dissatisfaction with Trump’s administration. Rising prices have affected household finances, while concerns about the broader economic outlook have created political difficulties for Republicans.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey offered a closer look at how Americans evaluated the president’s handling of specific issues. Only 21% of respondents approved of Trump’s management of the cost of living, making it one of the weakest areas in the survey.

His economic stewardship received approval from 25% of respondents. The figures suggest that dissatisfaction with household expenses and economic management remained a significant challenge for the administration after the election.

The president performed somewhat better on immigration. According to the same survey, 38% of Americans approved of his immigration policies, a higher rating than his assessments on the economy and cost of living.

The difference between these issue-based ratings shows that public opinion about a president is not determined by a single policy area. Voters may support an administration’s approach to immigration while disapproving of its economic decisions.

Iran War and Rising Fuel Prices Add to Trump’s Political Challenges

The conflict involving Iran has also become an important factor in the political debate. According to Reuters, the war launched by Trump alongside Israel in February 2026 contributed to a sharp increase in fuel prices and added pressure to household finances.

Higher fuel costs can affect more than the amount Americans spend at petrol stations. They can also increase transportation and business expenses, potentially influencing the prices of goods and services across the economy.

The impact on household budgets has made the conflict an issue beyond foreign policy. For voters already concerned about affordability, rising energy costs can reinforce dissatisfaction with the government’s economic management.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 71% of Americans wanted Congress to pass legislation ending the conflict with Iran. This included 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans.

The findings indicate that opposition to continuing the conflict extended beyond Democratic voters. More than half of Republican respondents in the survey also supported congressional action to end the war.

The election results have given Democrats greater influence in Congress, potentially providing them with more opportunities to challenge the administration’s approach to the conflict. However, passing legislation will depend on the political and constitutional processes involved, including the president’s role and the possibility of a veto.

Democrats Win Control of Both Houses of Congress

The November 3 midterm elections produced a major change in the balance of power in Washington. Democrats secured enough victories to take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, ending Republican control of Congress.

The results represented a significant setback for Trump’s Republican Party, particularly because midterm elections are often viewed as an opportunity for voters to express their approval or dissatisfaction with the party occupying the White House.

Democrats made gains in several competitive races, including Senate contests in traditionally conservative states. Their victories in places such as Texas, South Carolina and Kansas helped the party secure control of the upper chamber.

In the House, Democratic candidates won enough seats to establish a majority, with the party recording substantial gains across several battleground districts.

The election outcome was widely linked to economic concerns, dissatisfaction with the administration and opposition to the Iran conflict. While individual races were influenced by local issues and candidate performance, the national results demonstrated the scale of the political challenge facing Republicans.

When Will Democrats Take Control of Congress?

Although Democrats secured control of both chambers in the November elections, the new Congress will not begin its term immediately after the results are announced.

The newly elected members will take office when the 120th Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2027. Until then, Republicans will continue to hold their existing congressional majorities during the remainder of the current congressional session.

Once the new Congress begins, Democrats will control the legislative agenda in both chambers. This will give the party greater influence over which bills receive consideration, how congressional committees conduct oversight and which administration policies face legislative scrutiny.

The change could make it more difficult for Trump to advance parts of his domestic and economic agenda. It may also lead to increased congressional investigations into decisions made by the administration.

Do Midterm Election Results Affect Trump’s Presidential Term?

One important distinction is that midterm elections do not directly determine how long a sitting US president remains in office. Trump was elected to a four-year presidential term, and the loss of congressional control does not automatically remove him from the White House.

The US Constitution establishes separate terms for the president and members of Congress. House representatives serve two-year terms, while senators serve six-year terms, with Senate seats divided into election classes.

As a result, voters can change the balance of power in Congress without directly changing the presidency. This is what happened in the 2026 midterms, when Democrats won control of both legislative chambers while Trump remained president.

However, losing congressional majorities can significantly affect a president’s ability to govern. The administration may face greater resistance to legislation, increased oversight and difficulties securing support for policy priorities.

Congress also has constitutional powers involving federal spending, legislation, investigations and confirmation of certain appointments. Control of these processes can shape the political environment for the remainder of a president’s term.

What Can Democrats Do With Their New Congressional Majority?

Democratic control of the House and Senate gives the party a stronger position to challenge the administration’s policies. Party leaders have already indicated that affordability and accountability will be major priorities.

On the economy, Democrats have promised to focus on the cost of living and the financial pressures facing American households. Their ability to turn those priorities into legislation will depend on negotiations within Congress and the president’s response.

The Iran conflict is another area where Democrats may seek to use their congressional majority. The Reuters/Ipsos survey found considerable public support for legislation intended to end the war, including among Republican respondents.

Democrats have also indicated that they want to challenge Trump’s tariffs. Changes to trade policy could become a major source of debate as lawmakers examine the effects of tariffs on consumers, businesses and international trade relationships.

However, congressional control does not give Democrats unrestricted authority to implement their agenda. Legislation must pass through the required procedures, and disagreements within the party or opposition from the president could complicate efforts to enact major changes.

What Trump’s Approval Ratings Mean for the Republican Party

The combination of low presidential approval and the loss of both congressional chambers presents a difficult political situation for Republicans. The party will need to respond to voter concerns while preparing for the next major electoral cycle.

Approval ratings can influence how voters view a governing party, but they do not independently determine election outcomes. Local candidates, campaign strategies, economic conditions and individual policy debates can all affect results.

Nevertheless, Trump’s approval figures are important because his presidency remains closely connected to the Republican Party’s national political identity. When voters express dissatisfaction with the president, Republican candidates may face questions about whether they support or oppose his policies.

The midterm results also create a different political environment for Republican lawmakers. With Democrats controlling Congress, Republicans will have to operate as the opposition in both chambers and decide how to respond to Democratic legislative priorities.

Will Trump’s Approval Rating Recover?

Whether Trump’s approval rating improves in the coming months will depend on how Americans assess the administration’s performance on issues affecting their daily lives. Economic conditions, fuel prices, the cost of living, immigration and the Iran conflict are likely to remain important factors in public opinion.

A sustained improvement in household finances could help the president’s standing, while continued economic pressure could make it harder for the administration to regain public confidence. Developments in the Iran conflict may also influence how voters evaluate the president’s foreign policy decisions.

However, a single post-election survey cannot establish a long-term trend. Approval ratings can move as political events develop, and different pollsters may report different figures depending on their methodology and the timing of their surveys.

The Economist/YouGov survey’s 36% approval rating and the Reuters/Ipsos figure of 32% both point to a challenging political position for Trump after the midterms. Future surveys will help show whether this represents a temporary post-election reaction or a more persistent decline in public support.

What the Latest Trump Approval Polls Reveal After the Midterms

The 2026 midterm elections have changed the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats preparing to take control of both the House and the Senate. The results have also placed renewed attention on Trump’s standing with American voters.

The Economist/YouGov post-election survey put his approval rating at 36% and disapproval at 62%, marking a seven-point decline from its pre-election survey. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll found approval at 32%, close to the lowest level recorded during his political career.

Economic dissatisfaction, rising living costs and opposition to the Iran conflict have emerged as important factors in the political environment surrounding the results. Democrats are now preparing to use their congressional majorities to pursue their priorities and scrutinise the administration.

The election does not end Trump’s presidential term, but it changes the legislative challenges he will face during its remaining years. Whether he can rebuild public support will depend on future policy decisions and how voters respond to the administration’s handling of the issues that matter most to them.