Polls show Democrats leading as Trump faces low approval

Polling ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections shows President Donald Trump facing low approval and Democrats leading in several congressional preference surveys, as economic concerns weigh on voters. The results point to a difficult contest for Republicans seeking to retain narrow majorities in Congress, but polls do not determine election outcomes. In an NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey, conducted September 28 to October 12 among 19,135 adults, 34% approved of Trump’s performance and 66% disapproved. Seventy-one percent said the country was on the wrong track, while fewer than 30% said it was headed in the right direction. Among registered voters, Democrats led Republicans 55% to 45% on preference for control of Congress. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll put Trump’s approval at 33% among adults. Among likely voters, 52% favored a Democratic candidate for Congress in their district, compared with 44% who favored a Republican. The results come from different surveys and populations, but both show Democrats ahead in congressional preference measures. They are not forecasts of final seat totals. Economic conditions were a leading concern in the...