WASHINGTON, October 19, 2026: President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to 33% among US adults in a new ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey, as the Democratic Party holds an eight-point advantage among likely voters ahead of November’s congressional midterm elections.
The poll, published on October 18, found that 66% of adults disapproved of Trump’s performance. The 33% approval figure was the lowest recorded for Trump in this polling series across his presidential terms, according to ABC News.
Democrats lead congressional preference 52% to 44%
Among likely voters asked which party’s candidate they would support in their congressional district, 52% chose the Democrat and 44% the Republican. The nationwide generic-ballot result is a measure of sentiment, not a forecast of the number of seats either party will win. Individual House and Senate contests depend on local candidates, district boundaries and turnout.
Cost of living weighs on public opinion
The survey found 75% of Americans rated the US economy negatively, while 48% said they were less well off than when Trump began his second term. Another 72% said the country was headed in the wrong direction, compared with 26% who said it was headed in the right direction.
Economic anxiety is a central issue ahead of the elections, with Americans citing affordability pressures involving fuel and household expenses. The poll offers a snapshot of public opinion at the time it was conducted; views may change before election day.
What the results mean for the midterms
The figures point to a challenging political environment for Republican candidates who must appeal to both Trump’s supporters and voters dissatisfied with his administration. However, national approval and congressional preference surveys do not establish the outcome of individual races.
The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. Voters will elect all members of the House of Representatives and a portion of the Senate, with the results determining control of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s term.
About the poll
The survey was jointly sponsored by ABC News, The Washington Post and Ipsos. Ipsos reported a sample of 2,545 US adults, interviewed in English and Spanish. The job-approval results concern adults; the 52%-44% congressional preference result refers specifically to likely voters, a distinct population.
Sources: ABC News, October 18, 2026; Ipsos poll methodology and findings; The Washington Post, October 18, 2026.
