Summary
- Trump’s approval stands at 33% among US adults, with 66% disapproving.
- Democrats lead Republicans by eight points on the congressional ballot.
- The poll surveyed 2,545 adults from October 9 through October 13.
A difficult national snapshot for Republicans
President Donald Trump's approval rating stands at 33% among American adults in a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, while 66% disapprove and 52% disapprove strongly. Among likely voters, approval is higher at 38%, but 62% still disapprove. The findings arrive two weeks before the November 3 midterm elections. [1]
Democrats hold an eight-point advantage over Republicans in the national congressional preference, up from a three-point lead in the poll's July wave. National surveys do not predict the result in every House or Senate race, but the movement explains why Republican resources are shifting toward districts that previously appeared safer. [1]
The economy is driving the decline
Trump's economic approval is 28%, down from 33% in July. About three-quarters of Americans disapprove of his handling of inflation and living costs, and 48% say they are financially worse off than when he returned to office. Gasoline, groceries, health care and home energy are widely described as unaffordable. [1]
For the first time in more than a decade of the poll series, Democrats are more trusted than Republicans to handle the economy. The Democratic advantage is 40% to 33%. That does not amount to broad enthusiasm for the party, which remains viewed unfavorably by a majority, but it shows voters moving against the party currently in power. [1]
Iran and governing style also matter
The survey finds 65% of adults believe military action against Iran was a mistake, while 68% disapprove of Trump's handling of US allies. Majorities also express concern about immigration enforcement and the president's commitment to institutional limits. Those judgments add to the direct economic pressure shaping the campaign. [1]
A separate question asked whether voters want a Democratic Congress to check Trump or a Republican Congress to support his agenda. Registered voters preferred a Democratic check by 58% to 39%. That result frames the midterm choice around the president even though he is not personally on the ballot. [1]
How the poll was conducted
The poll was conducted online October 9 through October 13 among 2,545 US adults recruited through the probability-based Ipsos KnowledgePanel. The overall margin of sampling error is plus or minus two percentage points. Results for 2,032 registered and likely voters carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 points. [1] [2]
Ipsos recruits panel members through address-based sampling and weights results to population benchmarks, political participation and previous vote choice. Polling error remains possible, and turnout will decide individual contests. The survey is best read as evidence of the national political environment, not a guaranteed seat count. [1] [2]
Reporting sources
- The Washington Post · Trump approval hits record low, handing Democrats a clear midterm edge ↗October 18, 2026
- ABC News · ABC News polling methodology and standards ↗Accessed October 18, 2026
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