Trump’s Approval Plummets as Democrats Gain Ground – President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in either of his two terms in the White House, with new national polling showing only 33% of Americans approve of his performance. The polls also show 66% of Americans disapprove.
The findings are troubling for Republicans as they prepare for the November 3 midterm elections, in which most analysts expect the GOP to lose control of at least one chamber of Congress. Voters are increasingly expressing their frustrations over rising prices and the ongoing war with Iran — issues that most Americans see as connected.
President Donald Trump speaks during the 136th Coast Guard Academy commencement exercise in New London, Conn., May 17, 2017. The ceremony was the President’s first service academy graduation as commander-in-chief. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley.
Donald Trump 2023 Rally Creative Commons Photo
A new Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll published Sunday, October 18, showed Democrats leading Republicans by eight percentage points among likely voters in the race for the House of Representatives. The findings are particularly worrisome for Republicans because they suggest more Americans now believe Democrats are better poised to manage the country’s economy than Republicans, a reversal of an advantage the GOP has enjoyed for many years. With just a little more than two weeks until election day, the president and his party are trying to convince voters, or at least their own base, that they are best suited to solve the problems voters see as the Republican Party’s fault to begin with.
Trump’s Approval Reaches New Low
The new survey was conducted between October 9 and 13. The survey asked 2,545 American adults about the president’s performance and found that 52% had strong negative feelings.
His approval rating is down to 33% from 37% in July.
That is also an eight-point decline from the same period last year. Likely voters rated the president 38%, while 62% disapproved.
The problems go well beyond just the president, too, with the Republican Party more generally suffering from a major image problem. The survey found that 72% of Americans believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction. 58% of registered voters also said that they would prefer the Democrats take control of Congress and serve as a check on President Trump. Only 39% said they would prefer Republicans maintain control of Congress to ensure the president can enact his agenda during the final two years of his presidency.
Democrats now lead Republicans in all major national polls, with the latest survey putting Democrats ahead 52% to 44% among likely voters.
Democrats Take the Lead on the Economy
The news that the Democrats have taken the lead on the economy is a major shock to the Republicans. According to the Washington Post, registered voters trust Democrats over Republicans on the economy by 40% to 33%, marking the first Democratic advantage on this issue in the publication’s own polling since 2014. The president’s economic approval rating has also fallen to 28%, compared with 41% in February. It is a damning revelation for a president who has long positioned himself as one of the best presidents on the economy.
The situation is becoming so bad for the president that 48% of Americans now say they are financially worse off than when Trump first returned to the White House in January 2025. It is the highest proportion of Americans to say they are worse off under a specific president recorded in Washington Post/ABC polling since 1986.
Among those who reported worsening financial circumstances, 78% said they support Democratic candidates for Congress.
The figures suggest the Trump administration’s economic message isn’t working, and voters can’t be convinced through marketing campaigns that the president’s policies are working as intended. After all, prices keep rising across the board.
Iran War Adds to Economic Pressure
The war with Iran is creating much of the financial pressure Americans are experiencing every day, and the voters know it.
The survey found that 65% of Americans believe military action against Tehran was a mistake and that it is the primary driver of price increases. Before the war began, 71% of Americans considered gasoline prices to be affordable. Now, 71% say it is unaffordable. Most respondents also said groceries, health care, and home energy are unaffordable.
Vice President JD Vance gives remarks at a Sports Council announcement, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. (White House Intern Photo by Julian Casciano)
The problem is hard for the Trump administration to ignore, and Vice President JD Vance acknowledged it during a CBS News town hall discussion in West Palm Beach, Florida, on October 17. When a former Trump voter asked about rising fuel prices, Vance acknowledged that prices are now too high.
“I think it’s important to be honest about why they’re so elevated,” Vance said, adding that it’s because of “what’s happening in the Middle East.”
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.
