Trump approval rebounds slightly as Democrats gain ground ahead of midterms

Tuesday 15 September 2026 - 15:15

By: Azzat Manal

Trump approval rebounds slightly as Democrats gain ground ahead of midterms

US President Donald Trump has seen a modest improvement in his approval rating after reaching a record low, but a new Reuters poll suggests that Democrats are gaining momentum among voters ahead of the upcoming congressional elections.

The survey found that 35% of Americans approve of Trump's performance in the White House, up from 33% in the previous measurement. Despite the small recovery, the president continues to face significant dissatisfaction over his policies and the broader direction of the country.

One of the clearest signs of voter resistance concerns Trump's proposal to provide $5,000 cash payments to Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress. Overall, 63% of respondents said they opposed the proposal, including substantial shares of both Republican and Democratic voters. Around four in ten Republicans and nine in ten Democrats said they did not support the plan.

The poll also showed a widening advantage for Democrats when voters were asked which party they would support if congressional elections were held immediately. Democrats were preferred by 44% of respondents, compared with 37% for Republicans, giving Democrats a seven-point lead. According to the survey, this was their largest advantage since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.

The figures could have important consequences for Trump's political agenda during the second half of his presidential term. Losing control of either the House of Representatives or the Senate could make it considerably harder for the administration to pass legislation and advance major policy priorities.

The political environment has also shifted on economic issues. Democrats were narrowly favored over Republicans as the party better equipped to manage the economy, with 38% choosing Democrats compared with 37% for Republicans. The result marked a notable change, as Democrats had not held an advantage on economic management in the polling trend for almost a decade.

Trump's handling of the conflict with Iran has also weighed on his political standing, according to the poll. The war disrupted oil shipments from the Middle East and contributed to higher fuel prices, putting additional pressure on household budgets. Republicans have also lost some of their longstanding advantage over Democrats on economic management during the period of heightened economic uncertainty.

Another divisive issue is Trump's construction and renovation projects in Washington, including plans involving the White House. The survey showed a sharp partisan divide over the projects, with 91% of Democratic respondents opposing them, compared with roughly one-quarter of Republicans.

The poll was conducted over four days following the Republican Party's first major convention event ahead of the midterm campaign. It surveyed 1,143 Americans nationwide and had a margin of error of approximately three percentage points in either direction.

The results underline the difficult political landscape facing Republicans as they prepare for the congressional elections. Although Trump's approval rating has recovered slightly from its lowest point, Democrats' growing advantage in the congressional preference question suggests that dissatisfaction with the administration could translate into electoral gains.

For Democrats, the figures offer an opportunity to strengthen their campaign around economic concerns, government spending and opposition to Trump's policies. For Republicans, maintaining control of Congress will depend heavily on whether they can rebuild their advantage on economic issues and persuade voters that the administration's agenda is producing tangible benefits.

With the midterm elections approaching, the latest polling indicates that the political balance remains highly contested. Trump's personal approval may have stabilized somewhat, but the wider numbers suggest that Republicans could face a difficult battle to preserve their congressional majorities.