President Trump’s approval rating fell to a new low of 33% in a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released this past weekend. The rating is the lowest recorded at any point in either of Trump’s terms in office.
In another bad data point for Republicans, the percentage of people who said they are in worse shape financially under the current president rose to an all-time high of 48% (in data that goes back to 1986). One of the biggest sources of financial pain is the price of gasoline. Before Trump started the war with Iran in February, 71% of poll respondents said gasoline is affordable; now, 71% say gas is not affordable.
Overall, the poll provides plenty of reason for Republicans to be concerned ahead of the midterm vote, amid growing signs that voters are deeply dissatisfied with Trump’s performance and may use the midterms to send a message to the White House.
“The collective results of the new survey reveal an electorate that has lost faith in the president, is deeply worried about his decision to go to war with Iran, is feeling the effects of that war — especially the price of gasoline — on their pocketbooks and now has more confidence in Democrats than Republicans to deal with major issues,” the Post’s Dan Balz and Scott Clement wrote. “Today, 72 percent say the country is heading in the wrong direction, up five points since April.”