Trump Claws Back From Record-Low Approval, But Democrats Open Biggest Lead Since His Return: Poll

President Donald Trump's approval rating has edged higher after falling to the lowest level of his political career, but a new poll contains a more troubling signal for Republicans heading toward the November midterm elections.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 35% of Americans approve of Trump's performance as president, up two percentage points from 33%. That previous reading marked a record low for Trump. The rebound, however, comes as Republicans face deteriorating numbers on several measures that could matter in the battle for control of Congress.

When respondents were asked which party they would support if congressional elections were held today, 44% chose Democrats while 37% picked Republicans. The seven-point Democratic advantage is the widest recorded by Reuters/Ipsos since Trump began his second term in January 2025.

The poll surveyed 1,143 adults nationwide and has a margin of error of about three percentage points in either direction. The results were published just days after Republicans held their first midterm convention in Dallas, where Trump sought to place himself at the center of the party's campaign strategy and urged supporters to treat the November elections as a referendum on his presidency.

One of Trump's biggest announcements at the convention also appears to have encountered significant public resistance. Trump promised that every American adult would receive a $5,000 "dividend" if Republicans maintain control of Congress. But 63% of respondents in the new poll said they disapproved of the proposal, including about four in 10 Republicans and nine in 10 Democrats.

Trump has argued that the government could afford the payments because of increased federal revenue. The proposal, however, would require congressional approval and could cost roughly $1.2 trillion if distributed to approximately 240 million adults.

Perhaps more consequential for Republicans is a shift in perceptions about which party can better manage the economy. The latest poll found 38% of Americans considered Democrats better stewards of the economy, compared with 37% who selected Republicans. Reuters noted that Democrats gained an advantage on the question over the summer for the first time in roughly a decade.

The shift comes as Americans contend with economic fallout from the war with Iran, which began in February and has disrupted Middle Eastern oil shipments, contributing to sharply higher fuel prices. Trump's approval and Republican support have weakened during that period.

Still, national generic-ballot polling does not directly determine which party will control Congress. House elections are decided district by district, while Senate contests take place state by state, meaning candidate quality, geography, turnout and the particular seats being contested can produce results that differ from national polling.

The survey also found limited enthusiasm for Trump's construction projects in Washington, including a White House ballroom. About two-thirds of respondents considered the projects a low priority, a view shared by roughly half of Republicans. Opposition was highly partisan, with 91% of Democrats saying they opposed the construction projects compared with about one-quarter of Republicans.