Trump is failing to arrest decline in popularity, FT poll shows
- Approval rating stuck at a dismal 34 percent as midterm clock ticks down
- Only one-fifth of voters trust his handling of inflation while diesel prices hit record highs
- Nearly half of voters believe Trump is actively sabotaging Republican candidates
- Support within his own base is fracturing, dropping ten points since May
Brief Summary
Donald Trump’s political capital is evaporating just weeks before the midterms, with a new FT poll showing his approval ratings trapped in the basement. Voters are delivering a scathing indictment of his economic management, with a staggering two-thirds of respondents claiming the country is headed in the wrong direction. The dismal September jobs report and soaring fuel costs are fueling a voter revolt that is increasingly threatening Republican electoral prospects.
Why This Matters
When the president’s approval numbers crater, the entire political landscape shifts. You are feeling the brunt of this in your wallet every time you fill up your tank or shop for groceries, as inflation and energy costs remain the primary drivers of this public discontent. If the current polling holds, a shift in congressional power is likely, which will fundamentally change how federal spending, AI regulation, and foreign conflicts like Iran are handled. This isn't just about party politics; it is about the policy direction of the country and whether the current administration’s approach to your cost of living is sustainable.