Why Trump’s approval rating tracker shows the president was unpopular as Democrats triumph in midterms

Approval reaches a reported low

Exit polls put Trump’s approval below the 44 percent recorded for Joe Biden in 2022 and Barack Obama in 2010. George W. Bush had 43 percent in 2006, during the “War on Terror.”

A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week placed Trump’s overall rating at 32 percent ahead of the midterms. Separately, an AP-NORC poll before Election Day found that 17 percent of U.S. adults approved of his handling of the cost of living, while his approval on the economy stood at 26 percent, a new low.

Economic concerns shape the vote

Voters rated Democrats as better economic stewards than Republicans, 37 percent to 33 percent. High enthusiasm to vote was reported by 46 percent of Democrats and 30 percent of Republicans.

The article links the focus on inflation to February military strikes on Iran, which drove fuel prices higher. It also says voters were weary of Trump’s tariffs and remained unhappy with the war.

Prices fuel voter frustration

About seven in 10 Americans said Trump’s handling of living costs was worse than expected. Roughly half of U.S. adults said they were extremely or very concerned about affording groceries and gas.

Pedro Sanchez, a Trump voter from California, said fuel-related increases had eaten into his disposable income. Bethany Lnenicka, an Iowa farmer who voted for Trump three times, said grocery prices were rising while income was not.

Trump campaigned for Republicans

Democratic Senate candidates led their Republican opponents in several battleground states, including Texas and Alaska, according to the latest New York Times polling. The report says Democrats swept Republicans nationwide and won majorities in both houses.