President Donald Trump faces historic lows in economic approval ratings as voters grapple with rising costs ahead of the 2026 midterms.
President Donald Trump faces a significant challenge heading into the 2026 midterm elections as national polls reveal historic lows in his economic approval ratings. Despite a booming stock market and moderating inflation, the administration announced that many Americans remain pessimistic about the current state of the economy and the future. Data from the CNBC All-America Economic Survey and a Washington Post–Ipsos poll show that a majority of voters disapprove of how the administration is handling the economy. Specifically, 65 percent of adults in one poll expressed disapproval, marking a new low for the president's political career. Many Americans report cutting back on essential spending, such as food and medical care, due to the high cost of living. While the administration maintains that President Trump has accomplished more for the American people than any previous leader, the public remains "locked in" to their partisan loyalties. Democrats currently hold a modest lead in voter preference for Congress, though the administration faces the difficult task of reversing negative perceptions of the economy before November.