Trump's Approval Rating Hits Record Lows in Two Separate Polls

Category: Politics | Date: October 21, 2026

Sources: USA Today

President Donald Trump's approval rating has sunk to record lows in two separate national polls released this week, with disapproval ratings approaching or exceeding 60% nationally.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll found Democrats leading Republicans by 12 percentage points on the generic congressional ballot — the widest lead the party has held in Reuters/Ipsos tracking this election cycle.

The Numbers

Multiple polling averages paint a consistent picture of a deeply unpopular president:

  • RealClearPolitics (Oct. 21): 38.3% approve, 60.5% disapprove
  • New York Times (Oct. 21): 36% approve, 61% disapprove
  • Silver Bulletin (Oct. 21): 36.3% approve, 60.6% disapprove

While individual polls vary in their exact figures, the trend is unmistakable: roughly three out of five Americans disapprove of the president's performance.

Why It Matters

These numbers arrive just weeks before the midterm elections, where the president's party typically faces headwinds. A 12-point Democratic advantage on the generic ballot — which asks voters which party they prefer in Congress without naming specific candidates — suggests Republicans could face significant losses.

The polling also reflects growing public dissatisfaction across multiple fronts. Recent controversies include the administration's decision to pause Russia sanctions (tied to the Stephen Hubbard release negotiations), ongoing debates over economic policy, and the Supreme Court's rejection of the administration's transgender prison care policy this same week.

Polling analysts note that Trump's approval has been on a steady downward trajectory throughout 2026, with brief rallies around specific events failing to produce lasting recoveries. The consistency across different pollsters — Reuters/Ipsos, the New York Times, and the Silver Bulletin average — makes it harder for the White House to dismiss the numbers as outliers.

What This Means

Historically, presidents with approval ratings in the mid-30s have seen their parties suffer major midterm defeats. With disapproval above 60%, the White House faces an uphill battle to change the narrative before voters head to the polls.

The administration has not yet responded to the latest polling figures. Political strategists on both sides will be watching whether the numbers shift in the final weeks before Election Day — or whether Democrats' double-digit ballot advantage holds.

This is an original summary. For full details, read the original reporting at USA Today.

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