Donald Trump approval rating hits historic low in polls

As the United States heads toward the midterm elections, Donald Trump faces a historic low in public approval alongside widespread voter backlash against administration policies in the Middle East and domestic economic pressures, raising the prospect of significant legislative losses in Congress.

A Historic Low in Public Approval

Polling data heading into the final stretch of the campaign reveals severe voter dissatisfaction. Aaron Zitner, editor at the Wall Street Journal, noted that Donald Trump’s approval rating sits at 37 prosent, marking the lowest recorded standing for any president entering a midterm election in the history of their polling data stretching back to 1990, as reported by Nettavisen. A separate CNN poll recorded his approval at 32 prosent, while Silver Bulletin aggregates place public support at roughly 37,4 prosent.

Photo: Nettavisen

This drop in support mirrors the political climate surrounding George W. Bush during the Iraq War in 2006. That year, Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress amid mounting public frustration over foreign military engagement.

Economic Pressures and Foreign Policy Discontent

Voters are increasingly critical of the administration’s foreign policy and economic trajectory. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is viewed by a significant portion of the electorate as a direct tillitsbrudd, or breach of trust, given the president’s initial campaign platform opposing new foreign entanglements.

Photo: NRK

At home, a widening gap persists between macroeconomic indicators and the everyday financial reality of American households. New tariff implementations have compounded cost-of-living concerns, driving up prices for energy, transport, and imported goods.

To stem potential losses, the administration has attempted to mobilize the electorate. Source articles reported that Donald Trump promised to deliver a 5,000-dollar check—equivalent to approximately 46,000 Norwegian kroner—to adult Americans if his party maintains its congressional majority.

Polling Organization	Approval Rating	Historical Context
Wall Street Journal / WSJ	37 prosent	Lowest entering a midterm since 1990
Silver Bulletin (Average)	37,4 prosent	Broad national polling aggregate
CNN	32 prosent	Reflects sharp dissent on foreign policy

Congressional Stakes and Electoral Integrity

The upcoming vote will determine the balance of power in the United States Congress, which consists of the 435-seat House of Representatives and the 100-seat Senate. Current projections indicate that the Democratic Party is positioned to secure a majority in the House, while the contest in the Senate remains tightly contested.

If Democrats capture one or both chambers, their legislative control will allow them to block presidential appointments, initiate independent investigations, and stall legislative agendas. Conversely, a Republican retention of Congress would leave the executive branch’s domestic and foreign policy capabilities largely unhindered.

Meanwhile, concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process have surfaced in the final days of the campaign. Tore Wig, a professor of political science at the University of Oslo, observed that while Donald Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on the reliability of the electoral system—notably urging supporters during a September rally in Texas to “cheat like hell” to counter perceived opposition tactics—local and state authorities retain direct control over vote administration, making widespread coordinated manipulation difficult.

More on this story: Democrats Lead Polls as Trump Approval Drops to 31%