Voters Seek Major Shift in Washington as Trump Approval Slips, Poll Shows
A new AP-NORC poll indicates most voters are dissatisfied with President Trump and want significant change in the upcoming midterms.
An AP-NORC poll released less than a month before the midterm elections reveals widespread voter frustration with President Trump and a desire for substantial political change. Democratic registrants report higher enthusiasm to vote compared with Republicans, and about half of all voters favor Democratic control of the House or Senate. Economic issues, rising living costs and the ongoing war with Iran are cited as top concerns across party lines, with Trump receiving low approval ratings on the economy and cost of living.
Even among Republican voters, support for Trump on foreign policy and the Iran conflict is under 70 percent. The poll also shows a sizable portion of independents leaning negative toward the GOP.
Why it matters
The poll highlights shifting voter sentiment that could reshape congressional control in the 2026 midterms.
How this story developed
- Sep 9 Trump’s Iran conflict fuels energy price surge, jeopardizing GOP midterm prospects
- Oct 7 President Vladimir Putin told Iran that Russia is prepared to help Tehran in diplomatic efforts to ease the ongoing Middle East war.
- Oct 8 Trump publicly ruled out an Iranian strike before the midterm elections.
- Oct 9 Lavrov's UN remarks offered Russian help to stabilise the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 9 Oil prices rose sharply as uncertainty over the U.S. stance on Iran grew.
- Oct 10 Senior staff and donors have publicly acknowledged they no longer attempt to curb Trump’s agenda.
- Oct 11 Trump has kept large‑scale military pressure on Iran on hold for the next 24 days until the midterm elections conclude.
- Oct 11 Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei said the United States’ response to Tehran’s proposal was inadequate and called for clarification of remaining issues.
- Oct 11 President Trump issued an executive order temporarily lifting the federal excise tax on red‑dyed diesel.
- Oct 12 Iran presented a seven‑condition plan at the UN General Assembly to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Oct 13 Trump’s Strait of Hormuz announcement and dismissal of Iran’s UN proposal occurred alongside a Brent price jump and the departure of the final U.S. soldiers from Iraq.
- Oct 14 Trump warned that Washington will soon decide its next move against Iran.
- Oct 14 President Trump took steps to release diesel stocks and negotiate with Russia.
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