# Trump Approval Hits Historic Low Ahead of Midterms

> Trump's approval rating drops to 30% as Republicans face historic midterm challenges.
- Title: Trump Approval Hits Historic Low Ahead of Midterms · TIME
- Summary: Trump's approval rating drops to 30% as Republicans face historic midterm challenges. Trump's approval rating falls to 30% in early October, signaling…
- Keywords: trump, approval rating, midterm elections, republicans, pew research center, ap norc poll, economy, iran, Approval, Hits, Historic, Low
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/29/trump-approval-rating-midterm-elections-republicans
- Author: Chantelle Lee
- Published: 2026-10-29T11:00:10.004+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump, approval rating, midterm elections, republicans, pew research center, ap norc poll, economy, iran
## Trump's approval rating drops
President Donald Trump's approval rating fell to 30% in early October according to Pew Research Center polling.
## Historic low for midterms
This is the lowest approval rating any President has reached heading into midterms in decades.
## Economic dissatisfaction
Only 26% of U.S. adults support how Trump is tackling the economy according to AP-NORC polling.
## Cost of living concerns
Just 17% of adults approve of how Trump handles the cost of living in the AP-NORC poll.
## Iran policy backlash
Only 28% of adults support Trump's handling of the Iran conflict in the AP-NORC poll.
## Economic importance for voters
84% of registered voters say the economy is very important for their midterms vote.
## Foreign policy concerns
57% of voters consider foreign policy very important for their midterms vote.
## Historical Republican trend
The party in power typically loses seats in midterms due to voter frustration.
## 2002 exception
George W. Bush's Republicans gained seats in 2002 after high approval ratings post-9/11.
## 2022 midterms outcome
Republicans gained nine House seats but Democrats gained a Senate seat in 2022.
## Roe v. Wade impact
The Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade may have hurt Republicans in 2022 midterms.
## Republican challenges
Democrats outpace Republicans in generic ballot polls with 91% enthusiasm versus 86% for Republicans.
## Texas Senate race
James Talarico leads Ken Paxton in Texas Senate polls by a small margin.
## Key takeaway

Trump's approval rating falls to 30% in early October, signaling potential Republican losses in midterms.