Trump’s Latest Poll Numbers Ahead of the 2026 Midterms: What Americans Are Saying

With the 2026 US midterm elections approaching on November 3, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings and the national congressional polls are attracting considerable attention. Recent surveys show that many Americans are dissatisfied with his job performance, while Democrats have opened a lead in several national polls measuring voter preferences for Congress.

The results raise questions about the political environment heading into Election Day, the importance of economic concerns and the challenges facing candidates from both major parties.

What is Donald Trump’s latest approval rating?

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on October 19, 2026, found that 31% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance as president. The figure represented a new low in Reuters/Ipsos polling across his two presidential terms.

The same survey found that 66% disapproved of his performance. It interviewed 1,679 US adults, including 1,279 registered voters. The reported margin of error was approximately two percentage points for all adults and three points for registered voters.

A separate CNN/SSRS poll, conducted from October 15 to October 18, placed Trump’s approval rating at 32%. Meanwhile, New York Times/Siena polling conducted from October 12 to October 19 recorded 36% approval among likely voters.

These results should not be treated as identical measurements. Each survey used its own sample, methodology and fieldwork dates. Nevertheless, all three indicate substantial dissatisfaction among respondents at this stage of the election cycle.

Are Democrats leading Republicans in the midterm polls?

Recent national surveys have recorded a Democratic advantage in the generic congressional ballot, which asks voters which party they would support in their congressional district.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 47% of registered voters preferred the Democratic candidate, compared with 35% who preferred the Republican candidate. The CNN/SSRS survey recorded a 49% to 39% Democratic advantage.

The New York Times/Siena survey found that 52% of likely voters preferred the Democratic candidate in their district, while 41% preferred the Republican.

These figures provide a snapshot of national voter preferences. They do not mean Democrats will receive the same vote share in every district, nor do they directly determine which party will control Congress.

Why is the economy important to voters?

Economic concerns have become an important issue in the run-up to the midterms.

In the Reuters/Ipsos survey, 68% of respondents disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy. The survey also found that respondents preferred Democrats over Republicans as the party better able to manage the economy, by 40% to 33%.

The cost of living, gasoline prices and household budgets are particularly relevant because voters experience their effects directly. Changes in fuel prices can influence commuting costs, transportation expenses and the prices of goods and services.

However, economic dissatisfaction does not automatically translate into a vote for the opposition. Voters may also consider immigration, foreign policy, public safety, taxes and other issues when deciding how to vote.

Could Trump’s approval rating affect Republican candidates?

Presidential approval ratings can influence midterm elections because congressional candidates are often judged partly on the performance of the president from their own party.

A president with weak approval ratings may create difficulties for candidates who support the administration. At the same time, some voters may distinguish between the president and their local representative.

The national generic ballot also has limitations. House races are decided in individual districts, while Senate contests are fought state by state. Candidate quality, campaign spending, turnout and local issues can produce results that differ from national polling.

Consequently, Trump’s approval rating is an important political indicator, but it cannot independently establish the outcome of the congressional elections.

What should Americans watch before Election Day?

Several developments could influence the political discussion in the final stretch of the campaign:

• New approval polls: Whether Trump’s ratings improve, decline or remain broadly stable.
• Economic developments: Changes in fuel prices, inflation and household financial confidence.
• Congressional polling: Whether the national Democratic lead widens or narrows.
• Competitive state and district races: Local polls that offer more direct information about individual contests.
• Voter turnout: The number and composition of people who actually cast ballots.

Late polling can provide useful information, but individual surveys are subject to sampling uncertainty and may not capture every change in voter behaviour.

Frequently asked questions

When are the 2026 US midterm elections?

Election Day is November 3, 2026. Voters will choose members of the House of Representatives and a portion of the Senate, alongside various state and local offices.

What is Trump’s approval rating in the latest polls?

Recent surveys published on October 19–21 reported approval ratings ranging from 31% in Reuters/Ipsos polling to 36% in New York Times/Siena polling. The surveys differ in methodology and respondents.

What is the generic congressional ballot?

It is a polling question that asks voters whether they would prefer a Democratic or Republican candidate in their congressional district. It measures national sentiment rather than the outcome of a specific race.

Does a Democratic lead in national polling guarantee a change in congressional control?

No. National polling does not directly determine the results of individual House districts or Senate contests. The geographic distribution of votes and the outcomes in competitive races are crucial.

When will the election results be known?

Results will emerge after voting on November 3, but close contests may take longer to resolve. Official certification follows the applicable state procedures.

Conclusion

The latest October 2026 polls show that Trump is facing low approval ratings while Democrats hold a measurable advantage in several national congressional surveys. Economic concerns, including the cost of living and gasoline prices, are prominent in the available polling.

The results offer a useful snapshot of the political climate before Election Day, but they are not a substitute for state-level and district-level analysis. The next round of polls will help show whether these patterns persist as Americans prepare to vote.

Sources: Reuters/Ipsos, October 19, 2026; CNN/SSRS, October 15–18, 2026; New York Times/Siena College, October 12–19, 2026.