Trump Approval Hits Record Low at 32% Ahead of US Midterm Elections
US President Donald Trump faces a historic low with 32% approval amid economic strain and soaring energy costs, threatening Republicans ahead of the midterms.
United States President Donald Trump has hit a new low in his political career, with a new poll showing that only 32% of Americans are satisfied with his performance. This sharp decline, which is also felt among Republican voters, comes against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis just a month and a half before the midterm elections for Congress.
Economic Pressures and Energy Prices
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, support for Trump plummeted from 35% last week and 47% in January. The drop is also evident within his own party, as support among Republicans fell from 82% to 73% within a week. The central issue troubling voters is the economy, with only 17% of respondents satisfied with the administration's handling of the cost of living. For the first time, a majority of Republicans (51%) oppose the president's conduct in this area.
"They are using that word, it's fake," Trump said during a rally in Dallas, dismissing claims of economic hardship and vowing that energy prices will plunge immediately after the elections.
Political Backlash and Defections
The weakness in the polls is causing Republican lawmakers to distance themselves from the president. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar released an ad criticizing his immigration policy, stating, "Mr. President, some of your enforcement efforts have gone too far." In addition, seven Republican legislators joined Democrats to vote in favor of a resolution demanding an end to the fighting in Iran without congressional authorization.
On the economic front, Trump's initiative to grant a $5,000 dividend to every citizen if Republicans maintain their majority was rejected. Senator John Kennedy opposed the idea, declaring, "I am not going to vote to borrow $1.2 trillion to hand everyone a check."
Midterm Outlook
The data points to a shifting trend ahead of the voting on November 3. According to Reuters/Ipsos, Democrats lead by 8% in the congressional vote preference, the largest gap this year. The Senate map is also becoming competitive, with Democratic candidates leading in traditionally Republican states including Texas, Kansas, and North Carolina.
