President Trump's approval ratings have sunk to new lows in several recent polls, according to The Hill, which reported the decline is driven by falling support among Republicans and souring views on the economy.
The Hill cited the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showing Trump's overall approval fell three points from the previous week to an all-time low, though other outlets did not specify the same figures.
Axios described the political environment for Republicans as worsening rapidly, noting that Trump has urged voters to treat the midterms as a referendum on him, and that there is little chance the war, inflation, interest rates, or consumer confidence will improve before the Nov. 3 election.
Newsmax linked the president's low approval to high prices, framing both Trump and the GOP as being on the defensive heading into the midterms.
Newsweek reported a drop in Trump's approval rating specifically in states it described as having the biggest beef, without further detail provided by other sources.
How each side covered it
Left
- USA Today and The Independent both reported Trump's sinking or historic disapproval ratings ahead of the midterms.
- Both outlets framed the trend as a bad sign for Republicans in the upcoming elections.
“Trump’s disapproval ratings are hitting historic levels ahead of the midterms” — The Independent
Center
- Newsweek highlighted a state-level approval drop in areas it described as having the biggest beef.
- Axios described the GOP's election outlook as worsening dramatically, citing Trump's unpopularity affecting Republicans nationwide.
- The Hill cited a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing a three-point weekly drop to an all-time low in Trump's approval.
- Axios noted little chance that inflation, interest rates, or economic conditions would improve before the Nov. 3 election.
“GOP election outlook goes from bad to "craptastic"” — Axios
Right
- Newsmax linked high consumer prices to low approval ratings for Trump and the GOP.
- The outlet framed both Trump and Republicans as being on the defensive heading into the midterms.
“High Prices, Low Approval Put Trump and GOP on Defensive” — Newsmax
Questions readers ask
What happened to Trump's approval ratings?
Multiple polls show President Trump's approval ratings falling to new lows in the weeks before the midterms, according to The Hill and other outlets. The Reuters/Ipsos poll specifically showed a three-point weekly drop to an all-time low, per The Hill.
Why does this matter for the midterms?
Axios reported that Trump has told voters to treat the Nov. 3 midterms as if he were on the ballot, meaning his declining popularity could directly hurt Republican candidates nationwide.
What is driving the drop in approval?
The Hill reported the decline is driven by falling support among Republicans and worsening views on the economy. Newsmax linked the drop to high prices.
How did left-, center-, and right-leaning outlets differ in their coverage?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized historic disapproval levels and midterm risks for Republicans, center outlets detailed specific polling data and a worsening GOP outlook, while the right-leaning outlet framed the issue around high prices putting Trump and the GOP on the defensive.
What happens next?
The situation remains a developing story ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with Axios noting no clear indication that economic conditions will improve before then.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningNew survey predicts trouble for Trump ahead of midterms
- The IndependentLeft-leaningTrump’s disapproval ratings are hitting historic levels ahead of the midterms
- USA TodayLeft-leaningTrump's sinking approval ratings a bad midterm sign for Republicans
- AxiosCenterGOP election outlook goes from bad to "craptastic"
- NewsweekCenterDonald Trump’s Approval Rating Flips With White Voters in Red States
- The HillCenterTrump’s polls sink further in warning sign for GOP
- NewsmaxRight-leaningHigh Prices, Low Approval Put Trump and GOP on Defensive