Poll: Trump Support Nearing Record Lows

Pollster Warns GOP Faces Midterm Headwinds

Pollster Mark Mitchell of Rasmussen is sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump’s weakening approval numbers, arguing that the decline is beginning to threaten broader Republican prospects. Mitchell said Trump’s unfulfilled promises and the party’s growing disconnect with voters under 40 are dampening GOP momentum heading into the midterms. The White House / Wikimedia

Shutdown Fallout Takes a Toll on Ratings

Mitchell emphasized that Trump’s actions during the 42-day government shutdown played a significant role in the downward trend. “We have daily tracking on Trump,” he said, explaining how public perception shifted midway through the standoff. Mitchell added, “So what happened is about three weeks into this when Donald Trump's flying around the world talking to dignitaries and we're building the east wing of the White House and now food stamps are going to get defunded and we're walking into an election, all of the sudden his number started tanking.” The White House / Wikimedia

Approval Numbers Reach New Lows

Trump’s overall approval now sits at -18, with only 39% approving and 57% disapproving. Analyst Nate Silver has noted that Trump’s net approval fell from -7.5 in mid-October to -13—its lowest point of the term. Both pollsters warn that the cumulative decline has created significant vulnerabilities. The White House / Wikimedia

Democrats Energized as GOP Struggles for Strategy

Mitchell argued that Democratic voters are highly motivated by opposition to Trump. “Democrats are excited to go vote because they hate Trump, and that motivates them,” he said. At the same time, he criticized Republican strategic planning, warning that old messaging will not be enough to avoid losses. The White House / Wikimedia

Mitchell Says GOP Has No Coherent Plan

Mitchell delivered a blunt assessment of the party’s current direction. “And it was very clear that in my opinion, the Republicans had no plan, and everybody went on the internet and everyone was ripping their faces off,” he said. He added that conservative voters increasingly want disruption but aren’t getting it. “On the right, unfortunately, what motivates them is smashing the oligarchy and burning the government down. And the right is not doing that.” cottonbro studio / Pexels

Dire Midterm Outlook for the Party

Mitchell’s outlook for Republicans was unequivocal. “We got 355 days to an election and the Republicans are going to lose this one. They are just going to lose it. It looked like their plan was a gerrymandering war of attrition that they're now appearing to lose,” he said, warning that current trends point toward a difficult midterm cycle for the GOP. Brett Jordan / Pexels