|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
by WILL FOLKS
***
With five weeks to go before the 2026 midterm elections, U.S. president Donald Trump is officially less popular than ever… sustaining record disapproval ratings for three consecutive days, according to rolling survey averages compiled by RealClear Polling.
From September 26-28, 2026, Trump’s disapproval gap stood at a staggering -21.2%, with 59.9% of Americans disapproving of his performance in office compared to just 38.7% who approved. That marked the highest-ever disapproval gap during Trump’s second term – and also eclipsed the record -21.1% disapproval gap recorded on December 13, 2017 during his first term in office.
Both of Trump’s low-water marks have now exceeded the nadir of the Joe Biden presidency. On July 20, 2022, 57.4% of Americans disapproved of Biden’s performance in office, per RealClear Polling averages, compared to just 37.1% who approved (a gap of -20.3%).
Trump would go on to finish his first term at -15%, while Biden left office in early 2025 with a -18.1% disapproval gap.
***
Disapproval of President Trump Hits All-Time High
— RealClearPolling (@RCPolling) September 29, 2026
?Disapprove: 59.9%
??Approve: 38.7%
RealClearPolitics Polling Average pic.twitter.com/z1Bh5BcoTY
***
Another poll tracker, Nate Silver, is recording Trump’s gap at –22.4% – with 60.1% of Americans disapproving of his performance compared to just 37.5% who approved. That’s a new record low for the 45th and 47th U.S. president, according to Silver’s survey average.
In addition to his overall decline in popularity, Trump is seeing a tremendous uptick in negative intensity – as the share of voters who “strongly disapprove” of his performance is dwarfing those who “strongly approve.”
Even polling firms which have historically been more favorable to Trump have him underwater by double digits, including Rasmussen (-11%) and RMG Research (-13%).
“They don’t just dislike him – there’s record hatred for the president of the United States going into a midterm,” CNN pollster Harry Enten noted.
According to The Economist, the coalition that elected Trump in 2024 “is disintegrating, as high inflation, tariffs and the war with Iran alienate many of his voters.”
“Even groups long loyal to Republicans, such as Christian voters, are losing faith in the president,” the publication added.
***
RELATED | SHIFTING SANDS IN U.S. SENATE RACE
***
Disaffection, disillusionment and disdain surrounding Trump is spilling over into the generic congressional ballot for 2026. According to RealClear Polling, Democrats currently have a +8.7% edge on this critical midterm litmus test – while Silver’s surveys have them at +8.1%.
Trump has been losing support for some time now. In March of 2025, his approval rating went underwater for the first time during his second term – meaning more Americans said they disapproved of his performance than approved of it. In February of this year, we noted the escalating erosion of Trump’s popularity following the Epstein Files scandal – and in April we clocked another decline after his ill-conceived military interventionism in Iran.
Now that the economic consequences associated with Iran are coming home to roost, Trump’s standing is declining even more precipitously.
“The consequences of Trump’s profligacy – and its lack of harmony with his campaign promises – are coming into clearer focus for voters,” this author noted earlier this month.
Trump has tried a number of things in the hopes of stemming the bleeding – most notably promising to pay voters a $5,000 dividend if the GOP emerges victorious on November 3, 2026. So far, nothing has worked.
Keep it tuned to FITSNews as we continue to track Trump’s status through the upcoming midterm elections… and beyond.
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
***
SOUND OFF…
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to address proactively? We have an open microphone policy! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
