WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 19, 2026. President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to 33%, its lowest level in the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos polling series, as Americans express growing dissatisfaction with the economy, rising living costs and the direction of the country. The survey, published October 18, found that 66% of U.S. adults disapprove of Trump’s performance, including 52% who strongly disapprove.
The results come just over two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, when voters will decide control of Congress. Among registered voters, Trump’s approval stands at 37%, indicating somewhat stronger support within the electorate than among American adults overall.
ECONOMIC CONCERNS DRIVE PUBLIC DISSATISFACTION
Economic pressures are among the clearest sources of dissatisfaction. Only 28% of Americans approve of Trump’s overall handling of the economy, while 70% disapprove. His approval on inflation is even lower at 23%, with 75% expressing disapproval.
The survey found that 48% of Americans believe they are financially worse off than when Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Meanwhile, 71% describe gasoline as unaffordable, reflecting concerns about household expenses and the economic consequences of the conflict involving Iran.
DEMOCRATS LEAD IN CONGRESSIONAL VOTER PREFERENCES
The same survey found that 52% of likely voters favor Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 44% supporting Republicans. Among registered voters, Democrats hold a 50% to 42% advantage, compared with a narrower three-point margin in a July survey.
Democrats also lead among independent likely voters, 56% to 35%. However, these figures represent national voter preferences rather than individual congressional races, where local candidates, district boundaries and turnout patterns will determine the final results.
REPUBLICAN SUPPORT REMAINS STRONGER THAN NATIONAL APPROVAL
Despite Trump’s declining national approval, 79% of Republicans surveyed continue to approve of his job performance. Among independents, however, approval stands at just 22%, while 76% disapprove.
The survey also found that 72% of Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Public dissatisfaction extends beyond the presidency, with both major political parties receiving more unfavorable than favorable assessments.
REUTERS/IPSOS REPORTS AN EVEN LOWER APPROVAL RATING
A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll released October 19 placed Trump’s approval at 31%, the lowest reading in that polling series. The survey found that 47% of registered voters preferred Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 35% who favored Republicans.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey included 1,679 U.S. adults and reported a margin of error of approximately two percentage points for the full sample. Differences between the surveys reflect their respective methodologies, samples and fieldwork periods.
WHAT THE POLLS MEAN BEFORE NOVEMBER 3
The findings show significant dissatisfaction with the administration, particularly over affordability and economic management. At the same time, national surveys cannot establish which party will control Congress after the election.
With voting scheduled for November 3, the next major test will be whether these reported attitudes are reflected in turnout and individual congressional contests. Further polling and the election results will provide a clearer measure of how economic concerns are shaping voter decisions.
