President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 37 percent. This marks the lowest recorded for any president before a midterm election since 1990, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll.
The survey, conducted with 1,500 registered voters from September 16 to 21, found that 61 percent disapprove of Trump’s job performance. This drop comes amid Republican concerns about their prospects in the approaching November midterms. Various surveys have shown the president’s popularity decreasing.
Trump approval now at -22.4, his low point for the term and now lower than at any point in his first term, even after Jan. 6,
Nate Silver noted on X, referring to a recent poll tracker.
This survey also reveals cracks within Trump’s support base. Eleven percent of 2024 Trump voters now regret their choice. Among Republicans not identifying as MAGA, 11 percent intend to vote for Democratic congressional candidates this fall.
Economic Concerns Weigh on Voters
The Wall Street Journal poll highlights economic pessimism among voters. Sixty-five percent rated the U.S. economy negatively, while 33 percent offered a positive view. Additionally, 60 percent believed Trump’s economic policies worsened the economy, with only 25 percent seeing improvement.
Recent polling data, such as a Reuters/Ipsos poll, reported similar findings. Trump’s approval stood at 32 percent in the Reuters/Ipsos poll and even lower at 29 percent in another survey. Key concerns included inflation, fuel prices, and the cost of living.
Kyle Kondik from the University of Virginia noted, Overall it’s pretty clear that Trump’s numbers are worse now than they were eight years ago. Dissatisfaction with the economy/inflation is probably the biggest reason why.
Republican Challenges Ahead
The declining numbers come as Republicans face heightened concerns before Election Day. Republican candidates and strategists, worried about polling trends, have even begun to distance themselves from Trump on various issues.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina stated that lawmakers should not face disloyalty accusations for disagreements with the president. He emphasized the need for Republicans to distance from the White House when necessary.
Political analysts, like Nathan Gonzales from Inside Elections, have warned that an unpopular president can lead to difficulties for his party during midterms. Any midterm election with an unpopular president is potentially treacherous for his party,
Gonzales explained.
The Wall Street Journal’s findings suggest a tough environment for Republicans. Democrats need only modest gains to reclaim the House, with Senate races remaining competitive. The analysis shows Trump faced net negative approval in 41 states, including every significant battleground.
While analysts caution that approval ratings do not singularly determine election outcomes, Trump’s low approval marks a critical indicator of the current political climate.
Leave a Reply