U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 31%, the lowest level recorded across either of his presidential terms, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed Monday. The survey also found Democrats holding a 47% to 35% advantage among registered voters on the generic congressional ballot, a 12-point gap that could reshape expectations for the November 3 midterm elections.
Economic frustration is driving the decline
High gasoline prices and broader concerns about the cost of living are weighing heavily on the White House. The poll found 68% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy.
Republican dissatisfaction is also visible
Economic disapproval extended beyond Democrats and independents. Reuters reported that 37% of Republicans also disapproved of Trump’s economic performance.
The generic ballot gap is unusually wide
Registered voters favored Democratic candidates by 47% to 35%, the largest Democratic advantage in this election cycle. Generic ballot polling does not predict individual districts directly, but it is a widely watched national indicator.
Women are moving strongly toward Democrats
The survey found 50% of women backing Democratic congressional candidates compared with 32% supporting Republicans. That gender gap could be important in suburban districts.
Men also leaned Democratic
Even male voters favored Democrats in the poll, though by a smaller margin. Republicans usually perform better among men, making that result politically significant.
Voters give Democrats an edge on the economy
Asked which party would do a better job managing the economy, 40% chose Democrats and 33% selected Republicans. That is a difficult result for a White House that has tried to make economic competence central to its campaign.
Gasoline prices remain a visible political problem
Energy costs are among the most frequently noticed household expenses. Trump has taken steps to increase diesel supply and lower fuel prices, but the benefits have not yet translated into improved public opinion.
Foreign policy disputes may add pressure
The administration is also managing conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East. Those issues matter to voters less consistently than prices, but they contribute to perceptions of instability.
Control of Congress is at stake
A Democratic victory in either the House or Senate would make it harder for Trump to pass legislation during the final two years of his term. Committee investigations and oversight would also intensify.
The poll included 1,679 adults
The Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted online over four days. It included 1,279 registered voters, with a margin of error of about two percentage points overall and three points among registered voters.
Campaigns will focus on turnout
Midterm elections depend heavily on which voters actually show up. A national polling lead can disappear if enthusiasm is uneven across competitive districts and states.
The result raises the stakes for the final campaign weeks
Republicans now face pressure to shift attention away from unpopular issues and toward local races where candidates may outperform the president. Democrats, meanwhile, will try to turn dissatisfaction with Trump into congressional gains.
Sources
- Reuters/Ipsos poll, Oct. 19, 2026
- Reuters reporting, Oct. 19, 2026
