Trump net approval hits -19 as midterm vote nears

President Donald Trump’s net approval rating among all registered voters has fallen to -19, according to a survey released Monday. The data indicates a widening gap from the start of his second term, when his net approval stood at -7. The decline marks a steeper drop than any other recent presidential transition.

The erosion of support is most pronounced among demographic groups that provided unusual backing for his 2024 victory. Net approval among Latino voters has dropped from -22 to -38 since the beginning of the year. Among 18- to 34-year-olds, the figure has declined from -28 to -53. Black respondents show a similar trend, moving from -55 to -67 over the same period.

Economic dissatisfaction drives much of the negative sentiment. The president’s net economic approval rating has plunged to -31 in the latest data. Economic disapproval has reached 65%, the highest level recorded by the survey for any president since Barack Obama. That figure is one point higher than Joe Biden’s worst showing during the post-pandemic period.

The survey, conducted by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies from Oct. 14 to 18, polled 1,000 registered voters nationwide. It carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The results suggest that the coalition that swept battleground states in 2024 is no longer firmly intact.

Republican enthusiasm for the upcoming midterm elections also shows signs of fatigue. Interest in the election is 10 points lower among Republicans than it is among Democrats. In close races, higher turnout typically determines the outcome. Self-described Trump voters still approve of the president by a net of 65 points, down from 85 points in 2025.

Views on the economic outlook have shifted sharply for the GOP base. Optimism among Republicans fell 22 points, reaching the lowest level since the Biden administration. Despite this pessimism, 87% of Republicans prefer a Republican-controlled Congress, up from 85% in July. Blue-collar workers, while more critical of the economy, still favor a Republican Congress by 21 points.

The latest numbers reflect growing frustration with policy areas including immigration and inflation. Shooting incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have dominated recent headlines, eroding support for a key presidential initiative. The survey data will be closely watched as the midterm elections approach next week.