CBS Exit Poll: Trump Scores Lowest Midterm Voter Approval Numbers Ever
Trump’s approval trails predecessors
The CBS exit poll placed Trump’s voter approval below every other president’s rating during midterm elections. Biden received 44 percent in 2022, Obama had 44 percent in 2010 and Bush received 43 percent in 2006.
Trump sought to help Republican candidates with almost daily rallies last month, urging supporters to act as if he were on the ballot. The report said his support may not be enough to preserve Republican control of Congress in Tuesday’s elections.
Voters describe national dissatisfaction
Thirty-eight percent of voters said they felt angry about the state of the country, while 37 percent said they were dissatisfied. Eighteen percent felt satisfied with how things were going, and 7 percent said they were enthusiastic.
Most Americans said their finances were worse or about the same as when Trump won the 2024 election against Kamala Harris, Biden’s vice president. Trump has continued to blame Biden for the economy, even though Biden left office two years ago.
Prices remain part of the picture
The annual inflation rate reached 3.7 percent in September, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. Food prices rose 2.5 percent from the previous year, according to the federal government’s Consumer Price Index.
Energy costs were up 20.4 percent from a year earlier. The report attributed the rise in fuel costs to Trump’s eight-month-long war in Iran.
Party views and House votes
Voters viewed the Democratic Party somewhat more favorably than the Republican Party, though neither party won majority approval. Forty-six percent had a favorable opinion of Democrats and 54 percent an unfavorable one; for Republicans, the figures were 41 percent favorable and 59 percent unfavorable.
Trump factored into the House vote for 59 percent of voters. Among those voting Democratic, 78 percent said they were voting to oppose him. Among Republican voters, 36 percent said they were voting to support Trump, while 62 percent said he was not a factor.
Key points
- Trump’s approval rating was the lowest recorded for a president during midterm elections, according to the CBS exit poll.
- Thirty-eight percent of voters felt angry about the country’s state, and 37 percent were dissatisfied.
- The poll found that 59 percent of voters considered Trump a factor in their House vote.
- Democratic Party favorability was 46 percent, compared with 41 percent for the Republican Party.