WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 31%, the lowest level of either of his presidential terms, as rising gasoline prices and economic concerns weigh on public opinion ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed.
The four-day survey, which concluded on Monday, found that Trump’s approval rating had declined by one percentage point from two weeks earlier.
In the congressional preference survey, 47% of registered voters said they would vote for Democratic candidates if elections were held today, compared with 35% who favoured Republicans. The 12-point Democratic lead was the widest recorded during the current election cycle.
The findings could strengthen Democratic hopes of gaining control of the US House of Representatives and Senate. Losing either chamber could make it more difficult for Trump to advance his legislative agenda during the final two years of his term.
However, national voting preference polls do not fully reflect state-by-state and district-level contests, which determine control of Congress and may favour Republicans in some races.
A similar Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted two weeks earlier showed Democrats leading Republicans by seven percentage points, with 44% support compared with 37%.
The latest survey indicated that women were a major factor in the shift towards Democratic candidates. Around 50% of female voters said they would vote for Democrats, while 32% favoured Republicans. Men also leaned towards Democrats, although the margin was narrower.
Trump’s approval rating has faced pressure since he ordered military strikes on Iran alongside Israel in February. The conflict contributed to a surge in gasoline prices, increasing financial pressure on American households.
The poll found that 68% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, including 37% of respondents who identified as Republicans.
When asked which party would better manage the economy, 40% of voters favoured Democrats, compared with 33% who chose Republicans.
The online survey collected responses from 1,679 US adults, including 1,279 registered voters. The margin of error was two percentage points for all respondents and three percentage points for registered voters.