Trump Approval Ratings Hit Record Lows Ahead of Midterms

President Donald Trump's approval ratings have reached record lows, with a significant majority of Americans expressing frustration over his handling of the economy and rising prices, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll, conducted weeks before the midterm elections, found that only 17% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's performance regarding the cost of living. Furthermore, his overall approval rating for handling the economy has dropped to a new low of 26%.

A substantial 65% of U.S. adults surveyed attribute persistently high costs more to Trump's policies than to external factors. This sentiment indicates growing dissatisfaction with his administration's economic strategies, including his assertive use of tariffs and the ongoing conflict in Iran. These dismal figures emerge as Trump actively campaigns across the country, urging voters to support Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Despite his efforts to mobilize voters by asking them to consider him as if he were on the ballot, Trump's overall popularity remains low, with even some Republicans expressing disappointment that he has not delivered on promised economic relief.

One such individual, Robert Gault, a 66-year-old retired factory worker from Bradford, Pennsylvania, who identifies as a Republican, shared his disillusionment. Gault stated, "I was hoping it would be better or different, but it’s not really good." He added, "Our president, I thought, was going to help the country, and so far he has not really seemed to have done that with the economy or in general. He’s not really done what I was hoping he would." Gault also referenced Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, noting, "And I have not seen him do that."

The economic concerns highlighted in the poll are consistent with a growing trend of worry among Americans about affording basic necessities. Over the past few months, a larger proportion of the population has expressed anxiety about their ability to pay for essentials like groceries and gasoline. The AP-NORC poll indicates that approximately half of U.S. adults are now "extremely" or "very" concerned about affording fuel for their vehicles, an increase from 39% in July. Similarly, about half of respondents are highly concerned about their capacity to afford food. This widespread economic anxiety is poised to influence voter sentiment as the midterm elections approach.