President Donald Trump’s approval rating has reached a second-term low of 41% among registered voters, according to an NBC News poll released on Sept. 20. As the midterm elections approach, the survey reveals that 55% of voters believe the president’s policies have negatively impacted the economy. This represents an increase in criticism compared to March, when 48% of voters expressed the same sentiment. Throughout both March and September, voters consistently identified the cost of living as the most pressing issue facing the nation.
NBC pollsters attributed rising gasoline prices and other costs to the ongoing war in Iran. The survey indicates that more than 6 in 10 voters believe the Iran war has not been worth the cost. Furthermore, the poll shows Republicans trailing Democrats on key issues, with voters favoring Democrats on inflation (38% to 31%) and the economy (39% to 38%).
The political climate remains difficult for both major parties two years after former Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential race. Voters expressed negative views of both parties, with 49% of voters holding a negative view of the GOP compared to 36% positive. The Democratic Party faced a similar reception, with 50% of voters viewing them negatively and 29% positively.
The upcoming November elections are critical for both parties, as Democrats seek to challenge Republican-held Senate seats in states such as Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas. The party is also attempting to reclaim the House, following their success in the 2018 “blue wave” midterms. Historically, the incumbent president’s party often faces significant challenges during midterm cycles. The NBC poll, which surveyed 1,000 registered voters via telephone and online from Sept. 11-15, has a margin of error of +/- three percentage points.
