Donald Trump Approval Ratings Drop Ahead of 2026 Midterms

President Donald Trump is facing a significant decline in public approval three months before the November 3 midterm elections. Data from Civiqs and nonpartisan surveys by CNN, AP-NORC, and Quinnipiac University place his national approval between 32% and 34%, with a net approval rating of approximately -23 to -24. He is currently underwater in every major swing state, including Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia, and has seen his rating turn negative in 11 states he previously won by double digits in 2024.

Analysts attribute the downturn to the administration's April 2025 sweeping tariffs, high gas prices, and a stalemated war with Iran that began in February 2026. The trends are particularly sharp among younger voters, independents, and postgraduates. Republican incumbents in battleground states face potential challenges as a result, though some analysts note that dissatisfaction with the president does not guarantee a shift toward Democratic candidates.

Donald Trump has dismissed the data as dishonest, claiming his actual numbers are at record highs. While he continues to pursue legacy projects such as a triumphal arch and a new White House ballroom, he has ignored Republican calls to prioritize affordability or end the conflict in Iran. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle defended the administration, asserting that the 2024 election provided a mandate for the president's agenda and that no other president has accomplished more for hardworking Americans.