Trump Approval Rating Hits Career Low at 31% in Latest Poll

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to a career low of 31%, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on October 19. This marks the lowest approval rating Trump has received in tracking by Reuters/Ipsos during either of his terms. The poll’s timing coincides with the start of early voting in several states, as Republicans face challenges in retaining their narrow majorities in Congress.

New Polls Show Declining Support

The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,679 U.S. adults over four days and found Trump’s approval rating at 31%, down one point from his previous low recorded two weeks prior. This decline is part of a broader pattern reflected in multiple polls released in mid-October. On October 18, a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll pegged Trump’s approval at 33%, marking a 4-point drop since July and an 8-point decline from October 2025. The same poll also revealed that Democrats are now more trusted than Republicans to handle the economy, a first in a decade.

Other Polls Confirm Troubling Trend

In addition to the Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll, an NBC News/SurveyMonkey survey also released on October 18 showed Trump’s approval sinking to 34%, a second-term low. The poll indicated that 51% of respondents “strongly disapprove” of the president’s job performance. Among Latino voters, who had shifted toward Trump in 2024, his approval rating stood at 31%. Furthermore, 71% of respondents in the NBC/SurveyMonkey poll said the country was on the “wrong track,” a 10-point increase since April 2025. Democrats led the generic congressional ballot by 10 percentage points in this poll.

Democrats Extend Lead in Congressional Ballots

Both the Reuters/Ipsos and NBC/SurveyMonkey polls show Democrats holding significant leads over Republicans in generic congressional ballots. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found Democrats ahead by 12 percentage points, the largest margin for the party this election cycle in that tracking. Meanwhile, the NBC/SurveyMonkey poll reported a 10-point Democratic advantage. These figures underscore the uphill battle Republicans face in maintaining control of Congress amid declining support for President Trump.

Polling Averages Reflect Sustained Slide

Aggregated polling averages further illustrate the downward trend in Trump’s approval ratings. As of October 19, RealClearPolitics averaged Trump’s approval at 38.9% with a 59.3% disapproval rating. The New York Times polling average showed a 37% approval and 61% disapproval, while Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin averaged 37.5% approval and 59.9% disapproval. These averages confirm that the president’s approval rating remains deeply negative across multiple polling sources.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has reached a new low as early voting intensifies and Republicans face significant challenges in upcoming midterm elections. The recent polls signal a difficult road ahead for the GOP as Democrats expand their lead in key congressional races.