Trump’s Approval Rating Plummets Ahead of Midterms
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 2:01 pm – 21 Oct 2026, 10:00 am AEST
A recent poll shows Donald Trump’s approval rating at 36%, the lowest recorded by the New York Times/Siena College. This decline is largely attributed to voter frustration with the US economy, rising cost of living, and the ongoing Iran war.
What happened
- Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36% according to a New York Times/Siena College poll conducted in October.
- The poll, surveying approximately 3,494 likely voters, revealed that 59% disapproved of his handling of his job, with 52% intending to vote for the Democratic candidate in the upcoming midterm elections.
- Key drivers of this disapproval included dissatisfaction with gas prices (73%), the cost of living (69%), and the economy (64%).
- Furthermore, 65% expressed disapproval of his handling of the Iran war, which has persisted for nearly eight months and contributed to increased gas and oil prices.
- Trump has been campaigning for Republican candidates aligned with his ‘MAGA’ platform, but some candidates have distanced themselves.
- The poll indicates a potential disadvantage for Republicans in the upcoming midterms, particularly given Democratic candidates’ focus on addressing cost-of-living issues and opposing the president’s economic policies.
- The White House has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Original reporting
- Sky News: Trump's approval rating hits new record low as US midterms loom
2026-10-20T04:01:00+00:00 - Guardian: Trump’s approval rating drops to 36% two weeks before midterms, poll finds
2026-10-21T00:00:00+00:00