Trump says he's making America great, voters don't agree: His approval rating at lowest

One year before the 2026 midterm elections, Democrats hold a clear enthusiasm advantage as President Donald Trump’s approval ratings sink to their lowest point of his second term, according to a new CNN poll.

The survey shows 47 per cent of registered voters would support the Democratic candidate in their district if the election were held today, compared with 42 per cent who would vote Republican. Among those who say they are “extremely” or “very” motivated to cast a ballot, Democrats enjoy a 12-point lead, a sign that intensity may favour the party even as its overall favorability remains tepid.

Trump’s approval rating stands at 37 per cent, matching the lowest level of his first term. His disapproval rating, at 63 per cent, marks a new high. CNN’s Poll of Polls average puts his approval slightly higher, at 41per cent, but still indicates a steady erosion across partisan and demographic groups since the summer.

Despite lingering doubts about their party’s direction, Democratic-aligned voters appear unified in practice. Two-thirds (65 per cent) view the party favourably, lower than the 80 per cent favourability among Republicans toward their own party, yet even Democrats with negative views overwhelmingly plan to vote for Democratic candidates and report being highly motivated to participate.

Enthusiasm gap favours Democrats

Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are significantly more energised heading into the midterms. About 67 per cent say they are extremely motivated to vote, compared with 46 per cent of Republican-aligned voters. Among those who cite the state of democracy as their top issue, enthusiasm surges to 82 per cent, suggesting that concerns about democratic norms remain a powerful driver on the left.

The poll also finds that 41 per cent of voters see their ballot as a message of opposition to Trump, nearly double the 21per cent who say their vote would signal support. Independents currently break for Democrats on the generic congressional ballot, 44 per cent to 31per cent, with 19 per cent undecided.

This early advantage mirrors dynamics from Trump’s first term, when Democratic turnout surged in response to discontent with the president. While the margin is smaller than the one Democrats held heading into the 2018 midterms, the latest data suggests the mood of the electorate again leans against the incumbent president.

Broad Dissatisfaction With Trump and the Economy

The poll highlights deep voter frustration with the direction of the country: 68 per cent say things are going badly, and 72 per cent rate the economy as poor. Nearly six in ten respondents believe Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and majorities disapprove of his handling of the government shutdown, foreign policy, and immigration enforcement.

The CNN poll was conducted October 27–30 among a random national sample of 1,245 adults, including 954 registered voters, with a margin of sampling error of ±3.1 percentage points for the full sample and ±3.6 points for registered voters.