Trump approval falls to new lows in recent polls

Approval reaches new lows

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to new lows in several recent polls, with declining support among Republicans and worsening views of the economy contributing to the drop. In the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump’s overall approval fell three percentage points from the previous week, reaching its lowest level for him in that survey.

The movement comes just weeks before the midterms, when voters will decide control of congressional seats. That timing makes the president’s standing a concern for Republicans seeking voter support, especially because the decline is not limited to voters outside the party. Polls measure public opinion at a specific time, however, and do not decide individual races.

Economy adds to Republican concerns

Views of the economy are an important part of the shift. Recent polling shows that dissatisfaction with economic conditions is weighing on Trump’s approval, connecting voters’ judgments about his presidency to an issue that can influence their choices in congressional elections.

The decline among Republicans is also significant because voters who identify with the president’s party are a central part of his political support. A sustained loss of approval within that group could affect how Republican voters approach the midterms, including whether they participate, but the current polling does not establish how they will vote.

What comes next

The next rounds of national polling will show whether the decline continues, levels off or reverses as the midterms approach. Polls of individual congressional contests will provide a more direct measure of those races than a national presidential approval rating. Economic views and Republican support for Trump remain the clearest measures to track.