Overview
- RealClearPolitics’ average now shows Trump at a net approval of about −8.9 points, his lowest of the second term.
- CNN/SSRS finds Democrats leading the 2026 generic congressional ballot 47% to 42%, with Democratic voters reporting higher enthusiasm to vote.
- In the CNN survey, 72% rate the economy as poor and 61% say Trump’s policies have made conditions worse.
- Roughly eight in ten describe the ongoing government shutdown as a crisis or a major problem, and 61% disapprove of Trump’s handling of it.
- Other reputable polls put approval closer to the low-40s, but aggregates and late-October surveys agree the trend has turned downward.