President Donald Trump’s approval rating has hit a new record low during his presidency, according to a recent Fox News Poll. The poll shows that only 36 percent of respondents approve of Trump’s performance, as many American households face economic difficulties less than three weeks before Election Day.
The decline in Trump’s approval rating can be attributed to several key demographic groups. These include voters under the age of 45, individuals without a college degree, non-white voters, and those earning less than $50,000 annually. Robert Y. Shapiro, a political science professor at Columbia University, told Newsweek that the poll highlights the challenging situation for Republicans, noting that Trump’s efforts to aid the party have not been successful.
Midterm elections often serve as a reflection of the political climate for the ruling party. Historically, the president’s party tends to lose seats in these elections. Currently, Republicans hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate.
Furthermore, Trump’s approval ratings on major policy issues such as the economy, immigration, and job creation have declined. Economic concerns are prominent, with many households expressing affordability worries. Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a response by Wednesday night.
Key Insights
The Fox News Poll indicates a disapproval rating of 64 percent for Trump, with his approval rating among independents at just 22 percent compared to a 78 percent disapproval rate. On inflation, Trump’s approval stands at a mere 22 percent. The poll also reveals that 74 percent of respondents view the economy negatively, with 53 percent predicting it will deteriorate next year. The cost of living is the top concern for nearly 60 percent of those surveyed, and 55 percent believe inflation is not under control.
Significantly, seven in ten voters intend to vote in the midterms to send a message to Trump. If elections were held today, 54 percent would support Democratic candidates in the House over 45 percent who favor Republicans.
Shapiro further commented on Trump’s instincts, stating they have been ineffective by making the election about himself. He mentioned tariffs and the ongoing war in Iran as key issues impacting energy prices and goods associated with oil. Shapiro advised that the best move for Trump to assist Republican candidates would be to provide substantial financial support, dominate media coverage, and mobilize Republican campaigners to engage undecided voters.
Grant Davis Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, noted that the current polling is not very different from recent trends, but the slight decline further worsens the Republicans’ outlook with midterms traditionally seen as reactions to the president.
The poll also indicates that voters trust Democrats more on key issues such as healthcare, gas prices, artificial intelligence, and foreign policy. Republicans, however, are more trusted on border security, crime, and immigration.
Additional Polling Data
Other recent polls present a similar picture. The Economist/YouGov poll puts Trump’s approval at 38 percent with a disapproval rate of 61 percent. Conducted between October 10 and 12, it surveyed 1,403 registered voters and had a margin of error of 3.5 percent.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Trump’s approval at 32 percent against a 65 percent disapproval rate. This poll included 4,506 respondents from September 30 to October 5 with a 1.5 percent margin of error.
The Pew Research Center poll shows Trump’s approval at 30 percent, marking another low for his second term, with a disapproval rating of 68 percent. This survey included 5,062 U.S. adults from September 28 to October 4 and had a margin of error of 1.6 percent.
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