# Democrats surge as Trump's approval slides

> New NBC polling averages show Democrats at their strongest point this cycle, with independents abandoning Trump over the Iran war and cost of living.
- Title: Democrats surge as Trump's approval slides · NBC News
- Summary: New NBC polling averages show Democrats at their strongest point this cycle, with independents abandoning Trump over the Iran war and cost of living…
- Keywords: donald trump, approval rating, democrats, republicans, generic ballot, 2026 midterms, independent voters, polling averages, iran war, cost of living, politics, news
- Source: NBC News — https://nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/3-takeaways-new-polling-averages-politics-desk-rcna599907
- Author: The Politics Desk
- Published: 2026-09-25T21:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, approval rating, democrats, republicans, generic ballot, 2026 midterms, independent voters, polling averages, iran war, cost of living, politics, news
## Democrats hit strongest point yet
Democrats now lead the generic ballot by 9 points, their widest advantage in Trump's second term. The shift came as NBC News switched to measuring likely voters instead of registered voters.
## Five percent of voters still undecided
The 52%-43% Democratic lead leaves about 5% of poll respondents unaccounted for as undecided, third-party leaning, or unsure. These voters could shift the outcome in the coming weeks.
## Independents souring on Trump
Trump's approval with independent voters has collapsed to just 26%, and they're breaking heavily toward Democrats on the generic ballot. Independents typically decide elections and presidencies.
## Republicans losing faith too
Trump's approval among Republicans has dropped about 10 points since his second inauguration, with serious skepticism emerging over the Iran war and the economy.
## Ramaswamy underperforms in Appalachia
Ohio's Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy won his primary with 82.4%, but underperformed that statewide share in 29 of 32 Appalachian counties. Seven of his 10 weakest counties are in the region.
## Democrat targets rural Ohio counties
Amy Acton, Ramaswamy's Democratic rival, is making repeated trips to Appalachia to hold down his margins. She's unlikely to win these Trump-friendly areas but aims to reduce his vote share.

> People are exhausted of being pitted against one another. They're exhausted of the hate and chaos and vitriol.
## Ramaswamy's billionaire problem
The biotech billionaire travels Ohio in a private plane while voters struggle with war-driven gas prices and cost-of-living concerns. His wealth and lifestyle contrast sharply with Appalachian economic hardship.
## National headwinds hurt Republicans
Ramaswamy faces a tough political climate nationwide as Trump navigates low approval ratings, an unpopular Iran war, and widespread frustration over the cost of living.
## Key takeaway

Democrats have their widest generic ballot lead yet at 9 points, but roughly 5% of undecided voters could still swing the 2026 midterms either way.