“They Don’t Resonate”: 56% Disapprove of Trump as Democrats Surge 14 Points Ahead of Midterms

A new poll shows Democrats would beat Republicans by a big margin if the midterm elections were held today. According to a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll, 55% of voters would choose a Democrat for Congress, while only 41% would pick a Republican. That 14-point lead is the largest since 2017.

Independent voters are even more decisive. They would choose Democrats over Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, said, “As the party out of power in Washington, Democrats are seen as the other guy. That means voters are more likely to give them a chance to govern in the midterm elections.”

High-profile wins in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia this year have energized Democrats and hurt Republican morale. Amy Walter, editor-in-chief of The Cook Political Report, noted that Trump’s low popularity and economic frustration are making independents less likely to support Republicans.

Rising costs of living remain the top concern for voters. Winning Democratic candidates focused on these issues during recent elections. Prices for groceries, rent, and gas have been on the minds of Americans. “The Biden administration started the affordability crisis, and my administration is ending it,” Trump said during a recent speech to McDonald’s franchise owners.

But the poll suggests most Americans disagree. 57% said lowering prices should be the top priority for the White House. Immigration, a focus of Trump’s second term, was far behind, 41 points lower than affordability.

Trump’s attention to foreign issues and law enforcement hasn’t impressed voters either. Miringoff said, “The Trump administration has been out of step with where the public is. They focus on reducing crime, ending wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and stopping drug trafficking, but these issues do not resonate with voters.”

The poll also shows Trump’s approval rating is low. Only 39% of Americans approve of his job as president. 56% disapprove, including 48% who strongly disapprove. This is the lowest rating of his second term so far. Miringoff added, “He’s lost some of the groups that he had put together to win last year. Young voters and independents have now reverted to where they were before the campaign.”

The timing is critical. The poll was conducted as Congress reached a deal to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. 60% of Americans blame Trump or congressional Republicans for the shutdown. Only 39% blamed Democrats.

Confidence in government remains weak. Just 1 in 5 Americans say they have confidence in Congress. 61% lack confidence in the presidency. 62% distrust the Supreme Court. 75% say they do not trust the media.

Even trust in the parties is low. 65% lack confidence in Republicans, and 71% feel the same about Democrats. Many Democrats even doubt their own party, with 43% expressing low confidence.

Despite this frustration, Democrats still hold an advantage. Walter said, “Bleak opinions of the Democratic Party are not preventing voters from preferring a Democratic Congress.”

The poll also shows deep division between parties. 65% of Democrats say Republicans are dishonest, and 85% say they are closed-minded. 72% of Republicans say Democrats are dishonest, and 82% say they are closed-minded.

Independents tend to side with Democrats. Half say Democrats are open-minded, while only a third say the same about Republicans.

Featured image via Youtube screengrab