President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36%, the lowest recorded in any New York Times/Siena national poll, just weeks before the midterm elections.
- The survey found that 59% of likely voters disapprove of Trump’s performance, with growing frustration over his handling of the economy, the war in Iran and elevated gasoline prices.
Why it matters: Independent voters are particularly dissatisfied, with more than two-thirds disapproving of Trump’s job performance. Their views could be consequential in competitive congressional districts.
The political landscape: Likely voters preferred Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans by 11 percentage points in their districts, according to the final Times/Siena national poll before the elections.
The bottom line: Trump’s declining approval and widespread economic dissatisfaction present challenges for Republicans as they seek to retain control of Congress. However, national polling does not necessarily reflect the outcome of individual races.