Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Trump Approval Rises From Low as Democrats Gain Congressional Edge
A new poll asked 1,143 Americans what they think about President Donald Trump and the political parties.
Trump’s approval rating improved slightly to 35 percent.
However, more people said they would vote for Democrats than Republicans in congressional elections.
Democrats led by seven percentage points in that question.
Voters also gave Democrats a small advantage on handling the economy.
Most people opposed Trump’s proposed $5,000 dividend tied to Republicans keeping control of Congress.
Many people also thought Trump’s construction projects in Washington were not very important.
The poll suggests that Trump’s personal rating improved, while Republicans’ broader election outlook became weaker.
Trump’s approval rating rose to 35% from a record-low 33% in the previous Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Democrats led Republicans 44% to 37% on the generic congressional ballot, the widest gap since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
Democrats narrowly surpassed Republicans as the party voters trust more on the economy, 38% to 37%.
Sixty-three percent of respondents opposed Trump’s proposed $5,000 dividend if Republicans retain control of Congress.
Most Americans viewed Trump’s Washington construction projects as low priority, including half of Republicans.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Republicans, Democrats, and 1,143 surveyed Americans.
- What
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll found Trump’s approval rating rose, while Democrats widened their lead over Republicans on the generic congressional ballot.
- When
- The four-day poll was conducted in the days after the Republican Party’s midterm convention; the report was published September 14.
- Where
- Nationwide in the United States, with questions also addressing construction projects in Washington, D.C.
- Why
- The poll measured public views of Trump, the parties’ congressional prospects, economic stewardship, Trump’s proposed dividend, and his Washington construction projects.
Democratic and opposition-leaning view
Republican and Trump-supporting view
Congressional control
Democratic and opposition-leaning view
Democrats led Republicans 44% to 37% when respondents were asked which party they would support in congressional elections.
Republican and Trump-supporting view
Republicans remained competitive despite trailing nationally, and the article noted they hold structural advantages in some Senate and House contests.
$5,000 dividend proposal
Democratic and opposition-leaning view
Nine in 10 Democrats opposed Trump’s offer to provide a $5,000 dividend if Republicans retain control of Congress.
Republican and Trump-supporting view
Four in 10 Republicans also opposed the proposal, although the article does not provide the share of Republicans who supported it.
Washington construction projects
Democratic and opposition-leaning view
Ninety-one percent of Democrats opposed Trump’s construction plans, including a White House ballroom, and viewed them through a partisan lens.
Republican and Trump-supporting view
Opposition was lower among Republicans, with one in four against the plans; the article says half of Republicans still considered the projects a low priority.
- Trump approval
- 35% approved of his performance, up from 33% in the previous poll.
- Generic congressional ballot
- Democrats led Republicans 44% to 37%.
- Economic leadership
- Voters preferred Democrats over Republicans 38% to 37% on the economy.
- Dividend proposal
- 63% opposed Trump’s proposed $5,000 dividend, including four in 10 Republicans and nine in 10 Democrats.
- Construction projects
- About two-thirds of Americans considered Trump’s Washington projects a low priority.
- Poll sample
- The survey included 1,143 Americans and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points in either direction.