Trump’s Record Unpopularity Reshapes US Midterm Landscape

President Donald Trump approaches the post-midterm phase with the most unfavourable approval ratings of his political journey, a judgement that has significantly shifted the dynamics of power in Washington.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll released on 2 November indicated an overall approval rating of only 32 per cent, accompanied by a net rating of minus 32 points.

The Economist/YouGov tracker noted a similar minus 30 figures during the campaign's concluding days, reflecting a 62 percent disapproval rate.

These figures are not just disappointing; they signify the lowest approval rating for any contemporary president during a midterm election, dropping below George W. Bush’s 43 percent in 2006 and Trump’s own 45 percent in 2018.

Midterm Election Results Deliver Democratic Sweep

The electoral repercussions were significant and widespread across various regions. Democrats achieved dominance in both legislative chambers, winning Senate seats in Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, and Maine - states that Trump had easily won in 2024.

The New York Times reported that the margin of the popular vote in the House is the most significant seen in the last fifty years.

Importantly, the outcomes were influenced more by a strong disapproval of the president than by a genuine support for Democratic policies.

NBC News exit polling revealed that 43 percent of voters indicated their opposition to Trump as a reason for their vote, surpassing the similar figure from 2018.

In key Senate battlegrounds such as Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio, a significant number of voters expressed disapproval of his job performance.

Economy Drives Voter Backlash Against Trump

The prevailing economic sentiment emerged as the critical factor driving this backlash. Seventy-five percent of voters assessed the economy as poor, while 65 percent indicated that Trump's policies had exacerbated the situation.

His approval regarding the management of living expenses plummeted to 17 percent in AP-NORC research, while 73 percent of voters informed Reuters/Ipsos that their living costs were trending negatively.

The military strikes in February targeting Iran led to an increase in fuel prices, exacerbating the already prevalent dissatisfaction regarding tariffs and ongoing inflationary pressures.

The coalition that propelled Trump to victory in 2024 — comprising Hispanic voters, Black men, and lower-income households — demonstrated a notable shift toward the Democratic Party, as indicated by AP VoteCast analysis.

White House Faces Divided Government Gridlock

The current political calculations facing the White House are unforgiving. With the Democratic majority in the Senate, the party holds significant power over judicial and cabinet confirmations for the duration of Trump's term.

Meanwhile, control of the House offers substantial investigative advantages that could shape the legislative agenda.

Trump maintains the veto power, constraining the potential for meaningful legislative progress, yet the period of unchallenged Republican leadership has come to a close.

His net approval continues to show a favourable trend in just eight states, all of which he has successfully secured in the previous three presidential cycles.

The image of the victor, which Trump carefully crafted and showcased as his primary political strength, has been undermined by a midterm electorate that perceived his implicit presence on the ballot as a reason for rejection rather than support.

(Edited by Rahul Karunakar; rahul.karunakar@skaah.media)