WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level across both of his presidential terms, while Democrats have opened a 12-point lead over Republicans in the race for Congress ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The four-day poll, which concluded on Monday, found that 31% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance in office, down one percentage point from two weeks earlier.
In the congressional generic ballot, 47% of registered voters said they would vote for Democratic candidates if the elections were held today, compared with 35% who favoured Republicans. The 12-point gap was the widest recorded during the current election cycle, the poll showed.
The findings could strengthen Democratic hopes of gaining control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Losing control of either chamber would make it more difficult for Republicans to advance Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his term.
However, national generic ballot polls do not fully reflect the state-by-state and district-level contests that determine control of Congress. Republicans retain structural advantages in some of those races.
A previous Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted two weeks earlier had put Democrats seven points ahead, with 44% support against 37% for Republicans.
Women drive Democratic lead
The latest poll indicated that women were a major factor behind the widening Democratic advantage. Some 50% of female voters said they would support Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 32% who favoured Republicans. Men also preferred Democratic candidates, although by a narrower margin, the poll found.
Economic concerns weigh on Trump
Trump’s popularity has come under pressure since he ordered military strikes on Iran in February alongside Israel, according to the report. The war triggered a surge in petrol prices, putting additional pressure on household finances.
Economic dissatisfaction was particularly pronounced, with 68% of Americans disapproving of Trump’s handling of the economy. The figure included 37% of respondents who identified themselves as Republicans.
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When asked which party would manage the economy better, 40% of voters chose Democrats, compared with 33% who favoured Republicans.
The results suggest that economic concerns and rising petrol prices are weighing on public assessments of the president as voters prepare to elect members of Congress.
Poll methodology
The Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted online and gathered responses from 1,679 US adults, including 1,279 registered voters. The margin of error was two percentage points for all respondents and three percentage points for registered voters.
