Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Dec 07, 2025
Outside the box.
Americans Disapprove of Trump Yet 2026 Midterm Race Remains Deadlocked
Poll shows 59 % disapproval of President Trump’s performance yet voter support for Democrats and Republicans is nearly equal
A newly published survey by the Washington Post, ABC News and Ipsos reveals that 59 % of American adults disapprove of the job Donald Trump is doing as president, with only 41 % approving.
Despite the widespread dissatisfaction, the same poll finds that voter preferences ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections remain essentially tied: 46 % would vote for the Democratic candidate for Congress, 44 % favour the Republican candidate.
The poll indicates that Trump’s disapproval is highest among independents (69 %) and his own base remains largely loyal, with 86 % of Republicans still approving.
Meanwhile, only 30 % of independents approve of his performance.
Across key issue areas such as the economy, immigration, tariffs and foreign policy, majorities say they disapprove of his handling.
On the economy, 62 % disapprove, and 64 % believe he has gone too far in expanding presidential powers.
Yet the disapproval of the president has not translated into a clear shift toward the Democratic Party.
While 87 % of voters who strongly disapprove of Trump say they back Democrats for Congress, those who only somewhat disapprove are evenly split between the two parties.
Public sentiment toward the Democrats is also unfavourable — 68 % of Americans say the party is out of touch, compared with 63 % who say this about Trump and 61 % who say it of the Republican Party.
Among white registered voters, Trump’s approval is at 49 % versus 51 % disapproval.
When asked which party they would support in a congressional race next year, 40 % said Democrats and 53 % said Republicans.
Young voters, moderates and people who did not vote in the 2024 presidential election also show weaker support for Democrats as the alternative.
The survey underscores a challenging terrain for Democrats going into the next mid-terms: even as the president’s ratings remain historically low, opposition to him is not providing a guaranteed boost to his opponents.
With nearly a year until the elections, the data illustrates that the political map remains highly competitive and unpredictable.
Despite the widespread dissatisfaction, the same poll finds that voter preferences ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections remain essentially tied: 46 % would vote for the Democratic candidate for Congress, 44 % favour the Republican candidate.
The poll indicates that Trump’s disapproval is highest among independents (69 %) and his own base remains largely loyal, with 86 % of Republicans still approving.
Meanwhile, only 30 % of independents approve of his performance.
Across key issue areas such as the economy, immigration, tariffs and foreign policy, majorities say they disapprove of his handling.
On the economy, 62 % disapprove, and 64 % believe he has gone too far in expanding presidential powers.
Yet the disapproval of the president has not translated into a clear shift toward the Democratic Party.
While 87 % of voters who strongly disapprove of Trump say they back Democrats for Congress, those who only somewhat disapprove are evenly split between the two parties.
Public sentiment toward the Democrats is also unfavourable — 68 % of Americans say the party is out of touch, compared with 63 % who say this about Trump and 61 % who say it of the Republican Party.
Among white registered voters, Trump’s approval is at 49 % versus 51 % disapproval.
When asked which party they would support in a congressional race next year, 40 % said Democrats and 53 % said Republicans.
Young voters, moderates and people who did not vote in the 2024 presidential election also show weaker support for Democrats as the alternative.
The survey underscores a challenging terrain for Democrats going into the next mid-terms: even as the president’s ratings remain historically low, opposition to him is not providing a guaranteed boost to his opponents.
With nearly a year until the elections, the data illustrates that the political map remains highly competitive and unpredictable.
