Trump's approval falls to a record low of 33 percent as voters sour on costs

President Donald Trump's standing with the public has dropped to the lowest point of either of his terms, according to a major national poll released Sunday. Only 33 percent of Americans approve of the job he is doing and 66 percent disapprove. The survey of 2,545 adults was taken Oct. 9 to 13, a little more than two weeks before the Nov. 3 midterms.

That approval figure is below the 38 percent he drew in the same poll after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Just over half of Americans, 52 percent, now strongly disapprove of him. Among registered voters the numbers are a little better for him at 37 percent approval.

Cracks inside his own party

Republicans still mostly back the president, with 79 percent approving. That is down from 88 percent early in his second term. Only 39 percent of Republicans now strongly approve, compared with 63 percent in February 2025. Among independents just 22 percent approve and 76 percent disapprove, both records for him.

Democrats hold the edge for the House

Likely voters favor the Democratic candidate in their House district by 52 percent to 44 percent. Registered voters give Democrats the same 8-point lead, up from a 3-point gap in July. Independents who say they will vote lean toward Democrats by 21 points. Democrats also look more fired up: 72 percent of them say they are certain to vote compared with 65 percent of Republicans.

Prices are the heart of the anger

Seven in 10 Americans now call gasoline unaffordable, up from 28 percent in February before the war with Iran pushed fuel costs higher. The national average price has been above $4 a gallon for a record 158 days this year. Majorities also say health care, groceries and utilities cost more than they can manage.

Three in four people rate the economy negatively and 48 percent say they are worse off than when Trump took office. Just 21 percent approve of how he is handling the cost of living, his weakest issue. His marks on inflation and the economy overall are at or near the bottom of his record.

On Iran, 27 percent approve of his handling and 65 percent say using military force there was a mistake. Immigration remains his best issue but even there only 38 percent approve. A majority, 56 percent, say his deportation push has gone too far.

Two in three Americans also say he is using the presidency to make himself richer, a new high. Overall, 72 percent say the country is heading in the wrong direction.

Midterms often turn into a vote on the sitting president. With early voting already under way in many states, Republicans running for Congress are heading into the final stretch with that weight on their shoulders.