🇺🇸 Trump Approval Rating Rises to 35% in New Reuters/Ipsos Poll A new Reuters/Ipsos poll puts President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 35%, up from 33% in late August. The poll also points to challenges for Republicans as the 2026 midterm elections approach.

Trump Approval Rating Rises to 35% as 2026 Midterm Elections Approach
Trump’s approval rating has edged upward to 35% in a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, rising from the record-low 33% recorded in the previous survey conducted in late August. While the two-point increase marks a modest change in public sentiment, the latest polling also highlights several challenges facing Republicans as the 2026 U.S. midterm elections draw closer.

The Reuters/Ipsos survey, conducted from September 11 to 14, examined Americans’ views of President Donald Trump, his administration and the political environment ahead of the congressional elections. Ipsos confirmed that the September survey included questions about Trump’s handling of the presidency, major political figures and attitudes toward the upcoming midterms.
Trump’s 35% approval rating represents a slight recovery from the 33% figure recorded in August. However, the movement remains relatively small, meaning the latest result does not by itself establish a broad change in public opinion. Poll results can fluctuate between surveys, and individual polls represent a snapshot of opinion during a particular period.
The survey also points to a competitive political environment for the Republican Party. According to Reuters, 44% of respondents said they would support Democratic candidates in a generic congressional ballot, compared with 37% who chose Republican candidates. The seven-point difference was the largest Democratic advantage recorded by Reuters/Ipsos since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025.
Economic concerns are also playing an important role in the political landscape. Earlier Reuters/Ipsos polling found that the cost of living was a leading consideration for voters looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, with 47% of registered voters identifying it as the single most important factor in determining their vote.

The latest findings therefore present a mixed picture for Trump. His personal approval number has moved upward from its previous low, but the broader congressional ballot figures show that voters are not necessarily expressing the same preference when asked about their choices for Congress.
The poll also examined public attitudes toward a proposed $5,000 dividend that Trump has promoted if Republicans retain control of Congress. Reuters reported that 63% of Americans, including 40% of Republicans, disapproved of the proposal.

Issues surrounding the economy and the cost of living remain particularly important because voters often evaluate political parties not only through individual leaders but also through their views on everyday financial pressures. Previous Reuters/Ipsos polling has shown that Americans have expressed concerns about prices and the direction of their personal finances, making economic issues a central part of the midterm discussion.
The political environment is also being shaped by international events. Reuters reported that the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and its effects on oil supplies and fuel prices have become part of the political debate, with economic consequences influencing how Americans view the administration and the Republican Party.

At the same time, Republicans have been debating how heavily Trump should feature in their midterm campaign strategy. Reuters reported that at the Republican Party’s 2026 midterm convention in Dallas, Trump encouraged voters to treat the elections as a referendum on his presidency. Some Republican activists supported that approach as a way to energize the party’s core supporters, while others expressed concerns about its ability to attract independent voters.

For Democrats, the polling numbers provide evidence of an opportunity to compete for congressional seats, although a national generic-ballot result does not determine individual House or Senate races. Congressional elections are decided across numerous states and districts, each with its own candidates, political environment and voter turnout.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll should therefore be viewed as one measurement of public opinion rather than a prediction of the 2026 election results. The campaign environment can change considerably before voters cast their ballots, and future surveys will provide additional information about whether the current numbers represent a lasting shift or a temporary movement.

For now, the central takeaway is that Trump’s approval rating has moved from 33% to 35%, while the same Reuters/Ipsos survey shows Democrats holding an advantage in the national congressional preference question. The combination illustrates the complicated political landscape Republicans face as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.
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