President Trump's Approval Ratings Hit Second Term Lows Ahead of Midterms

President Donald Trump's approval ratings have fallen to their lowest levels of his second term, sparking concern for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Recent national polling shows his approval rating ranging between 32 percent and 36 percent, while disapproval ratings reach as high as 60 percent. One report notes that these figures are historically low, stating that only Richard Nixon had lower approval ratings at this stage of a second term.

The decline is evident in several major battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, and Ohio, where Trump's net approval has turned negative. In Florida, the rating shifted from positive nine points at the start of the term to minus 21. Analysts suggest these trends could hinder Republican efforts to maintain control of Congress.

Public dissatisfaction is linked to several policy areas. Surveys indicate opposition to U.S. military involvement and renewed strikes in Iran, as well as disapproval of new tariffs and a Republican spending package. Economic factors have also contributed to the decline, with Trump's approval for handling inflation and consumer prices dropping to minus 43. Gasoline prices have risen from below 3 dollars per gallon to 4.48 dollars following the escalation of tensions with Iran.

Outlets with a center left lean frame the situation as a direct result of specific policy failures and economic instability. In contrast, the center right lean framing emphasizes the historical severity of the unpopularity by comparing the current numbers to the resignation of Richard Nixon.