Trump Faces ‘Bad Results’ in New Polls

Approval Ratings Show Continued Decline

Polling analyst Nate Silver has sounded the alarm over what he called “bad results” for President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has slipped to a net -8.4 according to aggregated polling data. Silver’s analysis, published ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, points to a sharp erosion in Trump’s popularity across major policy areas — particularly the economy and inflation — as the United States remains in the midst of a partial government shutdown. The White House / Wikimedia

Silver's Data Paints Bleak Picture

Silver’s team compiles a national polling average using nearly all major surveys, weighted by methodology and historical reliability. Their latest model places Trump’s approval at 43.9%, with 52.3% disapproval, yielding a net negative of 8.4 points. The breakdown shows declines across key policy areas: immigration (-4.7), the economy (-15.3), trade (-16), and inflation (-27.7). These figures mark a steep downturn since June 1, when immigration approval had been slightly positive at +2.5. The White House / Wikimedia

Silver: Trump Still Struggling on Key Issues

Silver wrote, “Trump’s approval on immigration has been hovering around net -5 since late September, and he’s stuck around net -16 on both the economy and trade. To be clear, these are bad results for Trump.” He further noted that the president’s handling of the economy “is substantially less popular than his term one approach.”
Even so, Silver observed that Trump’s current approval — at -8.4 — remains an improvement over the -16.7 recorded at the same point in his first term. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Support Erodes Among Lower-Income and Older Voters

Recent polling data indicate that Trump’s support is fracturing along income and age lines. A YouGov/The Economist poll showed his approval among Americans earning under $50,000 a year plunged nine points to -24, while ratings among those earning over $100,000 improved slightly to -4. Meanwhile, a HarrisX survey revealed a 13-point drop in support among voters aged 65 and older, leaving Trump with only 43% approval in that key demographic. Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

External Factors Could Influence a Rebound

Analysts suggest Trump’s approval trajectory may hinge on unfolding global and domestic events. If Republicans lose control of either congressional chamber in the November 2026 midterms, Trump’s ability to steer fiscal and immigration policy could be severely constrained. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images