Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Trump Approval Falls to Second-Term Low as Economic Concerns Rise
A new poll asked 1,000 registered voters what they think about President Donald Trump and the economy.
More people said they disapprove of Trump than approve of his performance.
This is Trump’s lowest approval rating in the poll during his second term.
More than half said his policies have hurt the economy.
Many voters are worried about the prices of food, other goods and gasoline.
When asked which party should control Congress after the November elections, Democrats led Republicans.
However, both parties received more negative than positive opinions.
The poll also found that many voters may use their ballot to show opposition to Trump.
Fifty-six percent of registered voters disapprove of Donald Trump’s performance, while 41% approve.
Fifty-five percent say Trump’s policies have hurt the economy, up from 48% in March.
Voters cited concerns about the rising costs of food, goods and gasoline.
Democrats lead Republicans 50% to 45% on preferred control of Congress after the November midterms.
Both parties received more negative than positive ratings, and many voters view their ballot as opposition to Trump.
- Who
- Donald Trump, registered voters, and the Democratic and Republican parties.
- What
- An NBC News poll found declining approval of Trump, increased concern about his economic policies, and a Democratic edge in preferred congressional control.
- When
- The poll was conducted September 11-15 and released Sunday; it concerns the November midterm elections.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Voters are concerned about the rising cost of food, goods and gasoline, while Trump’s policies remain an important factor in election choices.
Democratic Congressional Edge
Republican Congressional Preference
Preferred control of Congress
Democratic Congressional Edge
Democrats lead among surveyed voters, 50% to 45%, for preferred control of Congress after the November midterms.
Republican Congressional Preference
Republicans receive support from 45% of surveyed voters, five percentage points behind Democrats.
Interpretation of the midterm environment
Democratic Congressional Edge
The poll suggests dissatisfaction with Trump and economic concerns could motivate voters to oppose his administration at the ballot box.
Republican Congressional Preference
The Democratic lead is smaller than the party’s advantage at a similar point before the 2018 midterms, indicating the gap is not as large as it was then.
- Trump approval
- 41% approve and 56% disapprove of his performance.
- Economic assessment
- 55% say Trump’s policies have hurt the economy.
- Change since March
- The share saying his policies hurt the economy rose from 48% to 55%.
- Congressional preference
- Democrats lead Republicans 50% to 45% among voters asked which party should control Congress.
- Party ratings
- The Republican Party received 36% positive and 49% negative ratings; the Democratic Party received 29% positive and 50% negative ratings.
- Sample and margin
- The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
- Election significance
- More voters than at any other point in three decades of NBC News midterm polling said their ballot could signal opposition to the president.