President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 32%, the lowest of his political career, as concerns over the cost of living weigh on voters six weeks before the November midterm elections, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found Trump's approval down from 35% a week earlier, while support among Republicans fell from 82% to 73%. Just 17% of respondents approved of his handling of the cost of living, which voters identified as the top issue influencing their midterm vote.
For the first time in Reuters/Ipsos polling, more Republicans disapproved than approved of Trump's handling of living costs, 51% to 44%. The survey also found Democrats leading Republicans 43% to 35% among registered voters asked which party they would support in the November 3 congressional elections, Democrats' largest advantage in Reuters/Ipsos polling this year.
A separate NBC News poll released a day earlier also found economic dissatisfaction shaping the midterm environment. Trump's approval in that survey stood at 41% among registered voters, the lowest of his second term in that polling series, while 56% disapproved. Fifty-five percent said Trump's policies had hurt the economy, up from 48% in March, while 26% said they had helped it.
NBC News also found Democrats leading Republicans 50% to 45% when registered voters were asked which party they preferred to control Congress. Forty-three percent said their congressional vote would be a signal of opposition to Trump, compared with 27% who said it would signal support for him.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey also pointed to the Iran war as a source of dissatisfaction. Only 34% approved of U.S. strikes on Iran, while 82% expected the conflict to continue for an "extended period of time." Rising fuel costs associated with the conflict have added to concerns about household expenses ahead of the midterms.
