President Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to plummet, hitting its lowest level in either term. Americans are growing increasingly frustrated with the president’s economic and war performance, with only two weeks left until the November 3 midterm elections, when Republicans are expected to lose control of Congress.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll, published on Monday, October 19, shows that just 31% of Americans approve of the president’s performance.
Social Security Check. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Social Security Check. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The same survey also showed Democrats with the largest lead over Republicans of any congressional poll this election cycle.
The findings suggest the Republican Party faces substantial losses in Congress this November, with Democrats now leading Republicans by 12 percentage points among registered voters.
And there are more signs of trouble for the president, with other surveys conducted by the Associated Press and Pew Research Center suggesting that Americans are becoming increasingly motivated to vote against Trump, with even Republican voters expressing frustration over the economy and the ongoing war with Iran.
The findings also come as Republican candidates themselves begin to distance themselves from the president in their campaign advertisements, with only candidates in “safe” Republican states seemingly appearing with him at rallies.
Trump’s Approval Falls to 31%
Reuters/Ipsos conducted the survey over four days and concluded it on October 19.
It found that only 31% of Americans approve of President Trump’s performance so far, compared with 66% who disapprove.
That same poll also found that 47% of registered voters would support Democratic candidates in congressional elections, compared with only 35% who would vote Republican.
The data suggest that female voters are driving much of the change, with 50% of registered female voters backing Democrats and just 32% supporting Republicans.
Economic issues are also driving the president’s unpopularity, with the survey showing that the president’s economic record is hurting the Republican Party’s electoral prospects in November.
The survey found that 68% of Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy, including 37% of Republicans.
More Than One Poll
While the president continues to claim he is “winning” on all fronts, polls show his popularity plummeting across the board.
Another survey, this one published on October 8 by Pew Research Center, found that President Trump’s approval rating had fallen to 30%, with 44% of registered voters describing their congressional vote as a vote against Trump.
Just 19% said that their vote was an expression of support for him and the job he’s done so far.
The survey ran from September 28 to October 4.
It questioned 5,062 adults, including 3,917 registered voters.
An Associated Press-NORC survey published on October 15 also found that about eight in ten registered voters disapproved of President Trump’s handling of the cost of living.
The survey also showed a significant enthusiasm gap between the two sides: around three-quarters of Democrats described participation in the November elections as extremely important, compared with around six in ten Republicans who said the same.
Republicans Are Starting to Avoid Trump
Republican candidates and strategists are well aware of the president’s unpopularity.
While some still hesitate to attack him publicly, many are at least trying to avoid him.
An October 20 Axios report, citing an analysis by The New York Times, noted that less than $1 out of every $100 spent on Republican TV ads for House and Senate candidates between September 9 and October 18 went to commercials that mentioned the president.
That analysis, based on data from the advertising tracking firm AdImpact, shows that Republican candidates are focusing on local issues and even the danger of voting Democrat, rather than touting any successes the Trump administration claims.
The president’s unpopularity has even appeared to undo any advantage Republicans might have expected from recent redistricting efforts, given how widespread the dissatisfaction has become.
Democrats only need to gain three seats to take control of the House of Representatives – meaning even the most modest of victories for the Democrats could rob the Republicans of their control of Congress.
And, most Republicans expect a much bigger win for the Democrats at this stage.
Will Trump Accept the Results?
A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll published on October 20 suggests Americans worry not only about the state of the economy, but also about what happens after the election.
The poll found that seven in ten Americans doubt that the president would accept the results if the Republicans lose.
Some 36% of Republicans said they believe Trump would dismiss the results as unfair or inaccurate, while 77% of independents said the same.
These findings come despite 60% of Americans saying they are confident elections will be conducted fairly.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
