WASHINGTON — With congressional midterm elections just over two weeks away, President Donald Trump faces the lowest approval ratings of his presidency as widespread public discontent over living costs fuels substantial Democratic momentum, multiple national polls show.
An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey released Sunday found that Trump’s job approval dropped to 33 percent, a personal low across both of his presidential terms and below the 38 percent recorded following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Disapproval climbed to a record 66 percent, with 52 percent of Americans saying they strongly disapprove of his performance.
The souring national mood has given Democrats an advantage on the generic congressional ballot ahead of the Nov. 3 elections. Among likely voters, Democratic candidates lead their Republican rivals 52 percent to 44 percent, propelled by a 21-point margin among independent voters, according to the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll.
Voter Frustration Over Costs and Direction
Voters express broad frustration with the nation’s trajectory. Roughly 7 in 10 Americans say the country is on the wrong track, and 75 percent rate the economy negatively, according to ABC News. In an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted Oct. 8-12, 80 percent of adults said the U.S. requires substantial change or complete upheaval in how it is governed.
Economic anxiety remains the dominant issue for the electorate. Eighty-five percent of respondents in the AP-NORC survey identified the economy as a top issue determining their vote, while 84 percent pointed to the cost of living.
The ABC News poll found majorities of Americans view everyday expenses as unaffordable, led by 71 percent who said the same about gasoline following military action in Iran. National retail fuel prices have exceeded $4 a gallon for a record 158 days so far in 2026. On the question of which party they trust more to manage inflation and the cost of living, Americans favored Democrats over Republicans by 14 percentage points.
Intensity Gap and Partisan Alignment
Trump has frequently told rally crowds to treat the upcoming vote as if his own name were appearing on the ballot. However, conservative polling reflects a growing enthusiasm deficit. A survey by Napolitan News Service found Trump’s strong approval dipping to 19 percent, creating a 27-point negative intensity gap against those who strongly disapprove, Newsweek reported.
The White House disputed the notion that the president has become an obstacle for GOP candidates.
“President Trump is the unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator for the Republican Party, and he is committed to maintaining Republican majorities in Congress,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Newsweek.
Voter engagement, however, currently tilts toward the opposition. The ABC News poll found that 72 percent of Democratic voters report being absolutely certain to cast ballots, compared with 65 percent of Republicans. The AP-NORC poll also recorded an edge in legislative preferences, finding 47 percent of voters want Democrats to run the House of Representatives and 46 percent favor Democratic control of the Senate, compared with 38 percent seeking Republican leadership.
Independent election models have shifted accordingly. Nonpartisan forecaster VoteHub estimated an 84 percent probability of Democrats retaking the House and a 59 percent likelihood of capturing the Senate, Newsweek reported.
What Comes Next
Early voting is already underway across several states, with early in-person and mail balloting heavily favoring Democratic candidates in initial polling data. Whether Republicans can mobilize core voters or narrow the margin before polls close on Nov. 3 remains the central question determining control of both chambers of Congress.
