As the GOP faces a rough night for its candidates tonight, US President Donald Trump is grappling with devastatingly low approval ratings.
The president’s disapproval rating hit a record high just two days before voters head to the polls.
President Donald Trump delivers remarks at a business session with the nation’s governors, Friday, February 21, 2025, in the State Dining Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Harrison Koeppel)
Donald Trump At Air Force One Creative Commons Image
New Poll Says Voters Want Change
A new national poll conducted by NBC News pointed to what many expect: a “blue wave” of renewed support for the Democratic Party, which many see as a strong rebuke of the president and his policies and decision-making thus far.
The poll put Trump’s disapproval rating at a whopping 60%, with his approval rating set at 40%.
The poll, conducted last October 28 to October 30, still shows that three percent of voters remain undecided on who to vote for.
However, voters who said they preferred a Democratic-controlled Congress had a 7-point margin above those who said they preferred a conservative legislature – with Democrats leading 52% to the Republicans’ 45%.
Broken Promises
In his second bid for the presidency, Trump ran on largely pragmatic, practical issues, promising to bring down prices, make gas more affordable, and improve the economy overall.
He repeatedly invoked the phrase “it’s the economy, stupid,” referencing former president Bill Clinton’s campaign mantra.
However, and especially recently, the poll showed many voters expressing disillusionment with the president’s promises, with the war in Iran – one sparked by Trump’s decision-making – kicking off a domino effect of rising gas prices and an increased cost of living across the country.
The average price of gas in the country at the end of October stood at $4.269 per gallon, compared to an average price of $3.517 per gallon, the highest recorded during the term of former President Joe Biden.
Inflation has also gone up, with the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reporting that inflation rose to 3.7% in September from 3.4% the month before.
The BLS attributed the increase to consumers’ continued struggle at the pump, reporting that gas prices rose 9.1% in September, a 34.2% increase from the same time a year ago.
Dissent and Dissatisfaction Within the Ranks
While many high-profile Republicans still refrain from speaking out in public against the president, it’s a different story behind closed doors.
News outlet Politico spoke to several incumbent Republicans, who, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration with Trump and his policies.
One House Republican compared Trump to former president Barack Obama, saying, “At least when Barack Obama was president, he only screwed his enemies, never his friends.”
Another GOP member in the House told the news outlet, “There was a point earlier this year where we really felt like we could defy history. And then Trump bombed Iran. And it was just one thing after another.”
Battleground States Expected to Vote Blue
Research by The New York Times and Siena University’s Siena Research Institute projects that several battleground states, along with several Republican strongholds, are set to see both senatorial and gubernatorial seats go to Democratic candidates.
In Alaska, for example, Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola is expected to narrowly beat Republican Dan Sullivan, 48% to 46%.
The gubernatorial race is expected to be more decisive, with liberal candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins expected to win 54% of the votes against conservative Bernadette Wilson’s 46%.
In Michigan, the controversial Democratic senatorial candidate, Abdul El-Sayed (whom Trump has repeatedly called a “jihadist”), is expected to beat the Republican bet, Mike Rogers, 53%-42%. Jocelyn Benson, who also runs under the Democratic Party’s flag, is expected to become the state’s governor, edging out the GOP candidate John James, 52% to 39%.
Even in Texas, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is expected to win comfortably, 50% to 43%, against his Republican opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The incumbent Republican governor, Gregg Abbott, is also expected to be unseated by a narrow margin, 48%-47%, by his Democratic opponent, Gina Hinojosa.
With major polls pointing to significant Democratic gains, tonight’s results will ultimately determine whether dissatisfaction with Trump will complicate his final two years in the White House and make governing via legislation nearly impossible.
About the Author: Tim Ramos
Tim Ramos has written for various publications, corporations, and organizations, covering everything from finance, politics, travel, entertainment, and sports – in Asia and the U.S. for more than 10 years.
