Donald Trump's disapproval rating has climbed to 62%, marking the lowest point of approval across both of his terms in office, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted six months before the midterm elections.
The president's plummeting standing comes as economic pressures intensify. His February decision to launch military action against Iran triggered a global oil crisis that sent gasoline prices to their highest level in four years. Voters hold him heavily accountable, with 76% disapproving of his handling of inflation and the cost of living, compared to just 23% who approve.
Even on issues where Trump has tried to build a political brand, voters turned against him decisively. A striking 66% disapproved of his war in Iran, while 56% disliked his border management despite his well-publicized hardline immigration enforcement. His overall approval settled at 37%, barely budging from 39% in February.
The toll extends beyond broad disapproval numbers. Roughly seven in 10 Americans question his honesty and trustworthiness. About six in 10 say he lacks the mental sharpness required for the presidency. Two-thirds believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
Support among his own party shows signs of erosion. While Republicans maintain an 85% approval rating for Trump, the share who strongly approve has dropped to 45% from 53% earlier in the year. Independent Republicans who lean GOP have hit a new low at 56% approval. Among independents broadly, his approval cratered to just 25%.
The deteriorating numbers pose concrete electoral risk. Republicans control the House by an extremely narrow margin, and the Senate majority hangs in balance heading into November. The poll shows Democrats now hold a five-point advantage on the generic House ballot among registered voters, up from a two-point edge in October. That gap widens to nine points among voters certain to cast ballots.
Voter enthusiasm tells the story Democrats want to hear. Seventy-three percent of Democrats say this midterm is much more important than past elections, compared with 52% of Republicans. Among those absolutely certain to vote, Democrats lead the turnout intensity battle dramatically.
Trump's unpopular actions have compounded his political weakness. Majorities oppose his decision to eliminate birthright citizenship, cut medical research funding, boost defense spending, and revoke temporary legal status for migrants fleeing war zones. His controversial deployment of federal immigration agents across cities resulted in thousands of detentions and two American deaths.
Author James Rodriguez: "Trump's disapproval at a record high should alarm Republicans, but the real story is whether that translates to showing up at the polls."
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