As President Donald Trump campaigns alongside Republican candidates in the closing days before Election Day, his involvement may be creating a political liability rather than giving them a boost.
A new ABC News, The Washington Post and Ipsos poll shows Trump’s job approval remains deeply underwater: 33 percent of Americans approve of his performance, compared with 66 percent who disapprove.
Among those critics, 52 percent said they strongly disapproved of the way he is handling the presidency.
The survey also gives Democrats an eight-point advantage over Republicans in the generic congressional ballot.
A majority of registered voters—58 percent—said they would rather see Democrats control Congress and serve as a check on Trump. By comparison, 39 percent favored keeping Republicans in charge to support the president’s agenda.
Economic concerns appear to be at the heart of the president’s political struggles.
Nearly half of those surveyed, 48 percent, said their personal financial situation had worsened since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
Only 15 percent said they were financially better off, while 36 percent reported little or no change.
An ABC News, The Washington Post and Ipsos poll found that Trump’s approval rating stands at 33 percent, while 66 percent of Americans disapprove of his performance
The poll shows Democrats holding an eight-point lead over Republicans in the generic congressional vote
Forty-eight percent of respondents said their finances had declined since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025
The results highlight a widening gap between the administration’s economic claims and the financial reality many Americans say they are experiencing.
Trump’s standing on inflation and the cost of living was especially weak, with 75 percent disapproving of his approach to the issue.
His approval rating for handling the economy was even lower, at just 28 percent.
Voters also expressed a bleak view of the country’s economic health. Roughly three-quarters described the national economy as either “not so good” or “poor.”
Higher fuel prices have added another burden for households already feeling squeezed.
According to the survey, 71 percent of Americans now view gasoline as unaffordable—a notable change from the results recorded in February.
Food prices, medical expenses and household energy bills were also major sources of anxiety. Fewer than four in 10 respondents said dining out remained affordable.
Those mounting economic frustrations could give Democrats an opening as voters weigh their choices in the upcoming elections.
Trump faces strong disapproval over inflation and the cost of living, with 75 percent of respondents criticizing his handling of the issues
The poll found that 71 percent of Americans considered gasoline unaffordable, a sharp reversal from February
Sixty-five percent of Americans said the decision to take military action was a mistake, while 68 percent disapproved of his handling of relations with US allies
Forty percent of registered voters said they trusted Democrats more on economic matters, compared with 33 percent who chose Republicans.
The war with Iran is adding another complication for Trump.
Sixty-five percent of Americans said the decision to take military action was a mistake.
Roughly six in ten respondents disapproved of his handling of immigration, and 56 percent said he had gone too far in deporting illegal immigrants.
The poll suggests Republicans could also face a turnout challenge.
Democratic voters were more likely than Republican voters to say they were certain to vote or had already cast their ballots.
Among those who identified with Trump’s MAGA movement, 75 percent said they were certain to vote.
That fell to 57 percent among Republicans who did not identify with the movement.
Questions about Trump’s conduct are also weighing on his standing.
Two-thirds of respondents said they believed the President was using his office to benefit himself financially, compared with 56 percent who held that view last year.
There was also substantial opposition to the use of Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center in Washington, with 80 percent saying it was inappropriate.
And 74 percent objected to the federal government paying for television advertisements promoting Trump and his policies.
Overall, 66 percent of Americans described the President as ‘too extreme.’
Neither major party emerged with a positive overall image.
The Republican Party received an unfavorable rating from 63 percent of respondents, while 54 percent viewed Democrats unfavorably.
The poll was conducted from October 9 to 13 among 2,545 US adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points for the overall sample.
Trump is heading to Greenville, North Carolina, Tuesday evening to support Senate candidate Michael Whatley and House candidate Laurie Buckhout.
