Executive Summary
- President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has risen to 58 percent, up from 52 percent in May, according to a new Reuters-Ipsos poll.
- His approval rating remains unchanged at approximately 40 percent, the lowest level of his second term.
- Despite Democrats showing higher enthusiasm for the 2026 midterms, the generic congressional ballot is nearly tied at 41% for Democrats and 40% for Republicans.
President Donald Trump’s disapproval rating has increased to 58 percent while his approval rating has remained steady at 40 percent, its lowest point since he began his second term, according to a new Reuters-Ipsos poll released Thursday. The survey of 1,200 U.S. adults, conducted online over six days in November, highlights public sentiment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The poll reveals a notable shift in disapproval for the president, which climbed from 52 percent in mid-May to the current 58 percent. In contrast, his approval rating has held firm at approximately 40 percent since May. The survey’s findings come as both parties prepare for the upcoming congressional races, where all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats will be contested.
The poll also measured voter enthusiasm, finding that Democrats appear more motivated for the 2026 midterms. Approximately 44 percent of registered Democratic voters reported being “very enthusiastic” about voting, compared to 26 percent of Republicans. This follows recent Democratic victories in the November 4 off-year elections, including gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Despite the enthusiasm gap, the parties are closely matched in voter preference. When asked which party’s candidate they would support if congressional elections were held today, 41 percent of registered voters chose the Democratic candidate, while 40 percent selected the Republican candidate. This narrow one-point difference falls within the poll’s 3-percentage-point margin of error.
Key Takeaways from the Survey
The Reuters-Ipsos poll suggests a challenging political landscape for President Trump, with a majority of Americans disapproving of his performance while his base of support remains unchanged. The tight generic ballot indicates that control of Congress remains highly competitive, even as Democratic voters currently express a higher level of motivation to participate in the upcoming elections.