US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to a record low of 31%, as Americans grow concerned about high petrol prices and Democrats widen their lead over Republicans ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday.
The four-day poll found that Trump’s approval rating had dropped by one percentage point from two weeks earlier, marking the lowest level of either of his presidential terms.
Democrats widen lead ahead of midterm elections
Asked which party they would vote for if congressional elections were held today, 47% of registered voters chose Democrats, compared with 35% for Republicans.
The 12-point Democratic lead was the widest recorded during the current election cycle, potentially strengthening the party’s hopes of taking control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate.
In a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted two weeks earlier, Democrats led Republicans by seven percentage points, with 44% support against 37%.
The latest poll found that the shift in support for congressional candidates was largely driven by women. Some 50% of female voters said they would vote for Democrats, compared with 32% who favoured Republicans.
Men also preferred Democratic candidates, although the margin was narrower.
Losing control of either chamber of Congress could complicate Trump’s agenda during the final two years of his term.
However, national generic ballot polls do not capture the state-by-state and district-by-district contests that determine control of Congress, where Republicans retain certain structural advantages.
Economic concerns weigh on Trump
Trump’s popularity has suffered since he ordered military strikes on Iran in February alongside US ally Israel. The war triggered a surge in petrol prices, putting further pressure on household finances.
The poll found that 68% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, including 37% of respondents who identified as Republicans.
When asked which party would manage the economy better, 40% of voters chose Democrats, compared with 33% who favoured Republicans.
The findings suggest that economic concerns could be an important factor as voters prepare to decide which party should control Congress.
Poll surveyed 1,679 Americans
The online Reuters/Ipsos survey collected responses from 1,679 US adults, including 1,279 registered voters.
The margin of error was two percentage points for all respondents and three percentage points for registered voters.
The congressional elections are scheduled for November 3, with control of both chambers at stake.
