Trump's Approval Dips to 32%, Democrats Gain Among Independents Ahead of Midterms
A new poll indicates President Trump's approval rating has fallen to 32%, with Democrats now holding a 16-point lead among independent voters.
President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 32 percent, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, as Democrats open a 16-point lead among independent voters heading into the midterm elections.
Trump has actively engaged in the midterm campaign, urging his supporters to treat the upcoming elections as if he were on the ballot. During a rally in Nebraska, he emphasized the impact of his presence, stating, "when I'm not on the ballot, 45 percent fewer people show up," and reiterated his plea for voters to pretend he is running.
The poll also revealed a concerning trend for the Republican party, with 44 percent of voters surveyed favoring Democratic candidates compared to 37 percent who supported Republicans. The independent voter bloc shows a significant lean towards Democrats, with 37 percent favoring their candidates versus 21 percent for Republicans.
This shift among independent voters could prove decisive in key states such as Alaska, which employs ranked-choice voting. In this state, Democrat Mary Peltola is challenging incumbent Dan Sullivan. A separate New York Times/Siena poll showed Peltola leading Sullivan by seven points, 50 to 43.
In Nebraska, independent candidate Dan Osborn is challenging Republican incumbent Senator Pete Ricketts. Meanwhile, in Iowa, Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has featured a Democratic supporter in a recent campaign advertisement, urging voters to cross party lines. Her campaign has also highlighted her bipartisan legislative work, including bills signed into law by former Democratic President Joe Biden.
Potentially more damaging for Trump is the reported decline in support among Hispanic voters, a demographic that played a crucial role in his 2024 presidential election victory. While Republicans saw significant gains with this group in 2024, Trump's current standing has reportedly suffered due to his administration's focus on mass deportation.
Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican representing a heavily Hispanic district, released an advertisement criticizing aspects of Trump's immigration agenda, suggesting some constituents find his policies too stringent. Trump publicly rebuked Salazar for her remarks.
Only 24 percent of Hispanic voters surveyed approved of Trump's job performance, and 26 percent indicated they planned to support Republican congressional candidates. In contrast, 52 percent stated they would support a Democrat, an increase from the 46 percent recorded in August.
These findings from the Reuters/Ipsos poll align with other surveys, such as an NBC News/Telemundo survey, which indicated an even larger Democratic advantage among Hispanic voters, with 59 percent preferring Democratic winners in November compared to 35 percent favoring Republicans. This shift could undermine the GOP's previous optimism about making lasting inroads with Hispanic voters, building on Trump's 2024 performance.