Trump's Approval Hits Record Low of 32% Amid Midterm Fears

Key points

• A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on October 5, 2026, shows Trump’s approval rating at 32%, a record low for his second term.
• Hispanic voter support has plummeted to 24%, down from nearly 50% in the 2024 election, with 59% now preferring a Democratic-controlled Congress.
• Trump dismissed the polls while campaigning in Nebraska, blaming media coverage for his declining numbers.
• Kansas, a traditional Republican stronghold, shows the lowest approval rating for a sitting Republican president since Herbert Hoover, complicating the Senate race between Adam Hamilton and Roger Marshall.
• Polling averages from RealClearPolitics and the New York Times place Trump’s approval between 37% and 38%, with disapproval rates exceeding 59%.

Background

In late September 2026, Trump’s approval had already dipped to 32% in a previous Reuters/Ipsos poll, driven by economic concerns and the Iran conflict. A Marist University survey from the same period indicated that 45% of voters viewed their upcoming vote as a rejection of the president. The current polling confirms a sustained decline in support, particularly among demographics that previously backed him, as the 2026 midterm elections near.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian and USA Today emphasize the record-low 32% approval rating and the dramatic shift among Hispanic voters, noting that 59% now favor Democrats for Congress. The New Republic highlights the specific danger in Kansas, where Trump’s unpopularity is described as historically unprecedented for a Republican president, potentially costing the party a Senate seat. AP News focuses on the economic aspect, noting that approval for his handling of the economy has also hit a new low. While all sources agree on the downward trend, they differ in emphasis: some focus on the national demographic shift, while others highlight the specific electoral consequences in swing states.

Why it matters

The record-low approval rating signals a significant vulnerability for the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms. The loss of support among Hispanic voters, a key demographic in the 2024 election, could translate into a loss of congressional majorities. Additionally, the deep unpopularity in traditional Republican strongholds like Kansas suggests that the party may face broader electoral challenges beyond just swing states, potentially impacting control of both the House and Senate.

What to watch

Republicans are expected to intensify their campaign efforts in competitive states like Kansas and among Hispanic voters in the coming weeks. Trump is likely to continue campaigning for Republican candidates while attempting to counter negative polling through media appearances and direct voter outreach. The outcome of the November midterms will be a critical test of the administration’s ability to retain power despite declining approval ratings.