Polls Show Low Confidence in Trump Accepting Midterm Results
Donald Trump faces low public confidence in his commitment to fair elections as Democrats lead in polls ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
A recent ABC News, Washington Post, and Ipsos poll indicates that 70% of Americans doubt Donald Trump will accept the results of the upcoming midterm elections if the Republican Party loses. The survey, conducted between October 9 and 13, 2026, further reveals that 61% of respondents believe the president is not committed to free and fair elections.
Democratic candidates currently hold an 8-point lead among likely voters, with 35% of respondents expecting Democrats to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives compared to 16% for Republicans. The elections serve as a referendum on the president's second term, specifically his immigration crackdown, the construction of AI datacenters, and an unpopular war against Iran. The conflict with Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has increased domestic gasoline prices.
Legal and administrative tensions are rising as the Trump administration threatens to criminally prosecute election officials in California over allegations of noncitizen voting, despite a lack of evidence that such voting is widespread. Additionally, the Supreme Court of the United States recently rejected a presidential attempt to restrict mail-in ballots, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the vote.
