President Trump's job approval rating has fallen to a new low for his second term, according to a post-midterm survey that shows no rebound for the president after his party's electoral losses. The Economist/YouGov poll, conducted Nov. 9-11, found that 63 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's performance, with 52 percent strongly disapproving, while only 32 percent approve.
Economy and foreign policy drag down approval
The president's weakest areas remain the economy and foreign policy. Sixty-seven percent of respondents disapprove of his handling of the economy, his worst issue in the survey, and 61 percent disapprove of his foreign policy. These numbers reflect persistent voter anxiety over inflation and the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has driven up energy and food costs.
Republican officials, including Vice President Vance, have attributed the midterm losses to the Iran war. In the poll, 63 percent say they want the war to end immediately, a stance that many Democrats and even some Republicans campaigned on. The conflict has sent gas and diesel prices soaring, exacerbating inflation that remains a top concern for voters.
Pessimism about economy deepens
Americans are increasingly gloomy about the economy's direction. Fifty-five percent say the economy is getting worse, while only 13 percent see improvement. Nearly three-quarters rate the economy as fair or poor. Majorities report that the cost of gas, food, and housing has risen significantly, with zero percent saying gas or food prices have dropped—a direct rebuke to Trump's 2024 campaign promise to lower prices quickly.
The survey also shows broad opposition to some of Trump's signature projects. Fifty percent say Congress should halt construction on the White House ballroom, and 57 percent oppose his proposed triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. These numbers come as critics blast the ballroom as excessive and question the use of government funds.
Corruption concerns dominate
Corruption emerged as a defining issue in the campaign's final stretch, and the poll reflects that. Sixty percent of respondents believe Trump is using his office for personal gain, and 82 percent think most or many government officials are corrupt. These findings align with ongoing Democratic investigations into potential conflicts of interest and add to the political headwinds facing the administration.
2028 field takes shape
With the midterms over, both parties are already looking ahead to the next presidential election. On the Republican side, Vice President Vance leads with 40 percent support, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 33 percent. The Democratic field appears more fragmented: former Vice President Harris tops the list with 20 percent, closely trailed by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) at 15 percent. Ossoff's decisive reelection victory in Georgia—by nearly 20 points—has made him a rising star in the party.
The survey polled 1,685 U.S. citizens and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. As the political landscape shifts, Trump's low approval and the public's economic anxieties could shape the strategies of potential candidates in both parties.
