President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 37 percent, its lowest point in Marquette’s second-term polling, seven weeks before Americans choose a new Congress. Presidential unpopularity could become a drag on Republican candidates as voters focus on inflation, gasoline prices and the war with Iran. Control of Congress is at stake, with Democrats leading Marquette’s generic ballot among both registered and likely voters.
Trump began his second term with 48 percent approval in Marquette polling, but that number has declined as public confidence in his handling of major economic and foreign-policy issues has weakened. A single survey cannot predict November, although its direction is reinforced by national polling averages. Marquette Law School’s national survey found 37 percent of adults approved of Trump’s job performance and 63 percent disapproved, producing a net rating (those who approve minus those who disapprove) of minus 26 points.
Approval was down from 40 percent in July and one point below the previous series low recorded in May and June. The survey was conducted online through the SSRS Opinion Panel from September 2 to 9. It interviewed 1,023 adults nationwide and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
Intensity may be as important as the headline split. Strong approval has fallen from 29 percent near the beginning of Trump’s second term to 15 percent, while strong disapproval now stands at 47 percent. Economic anxiety sits at the heart of the political problem.
Marquette found approval of Trump’s handling of inflation at 19 percent, gasoline prices at 20 percent and the economy at 28 percent. Another 64 percent said his policies were increasing inflation, while 18 percent believed they were reducing it. Those judgments are grounded in voters’ daily experience.
Some 80 percent said gasoline had become more expensive over the previous six months, while 81 percent reported paying more for groceries. Looking ahead, 68 percent expected inflation to rise during the next year. Approval of Trump’s handling of the Iran war stood at 26 percent, down from 32 percent in April.
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