Trump approval falls to 31%, lowest in Reuters/Ipsos poll, ahead of Nov 3 midterms
In short
A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on 19 October put President Donald Trump's approval at 31%, down 1 point from two weeks earlier and the lowest in his first and second terms. Democrats led Republicans 47% to 35% on the generic congressional ballot, a 12-point gap, ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.
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Reuters reported on 19 October that President Donald Trump's approval rating had fallen to 31% in its latest poll with Ipsos. TBS NEWS DIG said this was 1 point lower than two weeks earlier and the lowest including his first term. Jiji Press said the previous low was 32%. TBS reported disapproval at 66%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On the generic ballot, 47% of registered voters said they would vote for the Democratic candidate if the congressional election were held today, against 35% for the Republican. Reuters said the 12-point lead is the largest of this election cycle. Two weeks earlier the figures were 44% and 37%, a 7-point lead. Reuters said the fall in support for Republican candidates was mainly due to more women saying they would vote Democratic: 50% of women chose the Democratic candidate and 32% the Republican. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Reuters said Trump's approval has been low since he ordered military strikes on Iran with Israel in February, and that the war pushed up gasoline prices and strained household budgets. Jiji Press said approval stood at 47% just after his inauguration in January 2025 and has declined amid dissatisfaction with the Iran operation and high gasoline prices. [ 1 , 3 ]
On the economy, 68% said they do not approve of Trump's handling, including 37% of those who identify as Republicans. Asked which party would manage the economy better, 40% chose the Democrats and 33% the Republicans. [ 1 , 3 ]
Reuters said the poll ran online for four days to 19 October and covered 1,679 US adults, including 1,279 registered voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 points for all respondents and 3 points for registered voters. Reuters noted that the generic ballot does not reflect state-by-state and district-by-district races, and that Republicans have a structural advantage in some areas. [ 3 ]
Jiji Press said some Republican candidates, mainly in contested districts, have criticised the Iran operation and tariff policy and kept their distance from the administration, and that this could spread. TBS reported that a Washington Post poll published on 18 October put Trump's approval at 33% and disapproval at 66%. Asked by a reporter whether he felt good about the midterms, Trump said he did and that he thinks the polls are fake. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The result comes two weeks before midterm elections in which Republicans are seeking to keep their majorities in both chambers of Congress. Jiji Press said candidates may struggle over how close to stay to Trump, while Reuters noted that the generic ballot does not capture state-by-state and district-by-district races.
Key facts
- Reuters reported on 19 October that Trump's approval rating was 31% in its latest poll with Ipsos, the lowest in his first and second terms. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Approval fell 1 point from the previous poll two weeks earlier; Jiji Press said the previous low was 32%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- In response to which party's candidate respondents would vote for if the congressional election were held today, 47% said Democratic and 35% said Republican. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Reuters said the 12-point Democratic lead is the largest of this election cycle; two weeks earlier it was 44% to 37%, or 7 points. [ 1 , 3 ]
- 68% of respondents do not approve of Trump's handling of the economy, including 37% of those who identify as Republicans. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The poll ran online for four days to 19 October and covered 1,679 US adults, including 1,279 registered voters. [ 2 , 3 ]
- TBS reported that a Washington Post poll published on 18 October put Trump's approval at 33% and disapproval at 66%. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Reuters reported that Trump's approval rating reached 31% in its latest poll, the lowest of his presidency. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The poll found 47% of respondents would vote for the Democratic candidate and 35% for the Republican if the congressional election were held today. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The midterm elections are scheduled for 3 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether more Republican candidates will distance themselves from the administration. Jiji Press said such moves, including criticism of the Iran operation and tariff policy by some candidates in contested districts, could spread; no document says they have.
- How the generic ballot translates into control of Congress. Reuters said the generic ballot does not reflect state-by-state and district-by-district races that decide control of the two chambers, and that Republicans have a structural advantage in some areas.
- 68% of respondents do not approve of Trump's handling of the economy, including 37% of self-identified Republicans. Reported by a single source so far