Trump Approval Rating as Consumer Confidence Drops 70 Days Before Midterm

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, President Donald Trump faces a potential setback as consumer confidence takes a dip, according to a recent drop in the Consumer Confidence Index. The index, released by the Conference Board, fell to 89.4 in August, down from 90.2 in July, signaling growing pessimism among American consumers about business conditions and the labor market.

Economist Dana M. Peterson stated that consumers are becoming more pessimistic about the future, particularly regarding business conditions and employment. This decline in confidence comes amid a backdrop of economic concerns, particularly around inflation and the cost of living, which have dominated recent polls. Democrats hope this declining national approval rating could benefit them in key races and expand their reach into traditionally conservative territories.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai dismissed concerns, citing "hard data of consumer spending and retail sales" that show the American consumer remains resilient due to Trump's economic policies. However, recent polls paint a different picture, with Trump's approval rating dropping to 36 percent in a YouGov and The Economist survey from August 21-24, while 57 percent disapproved. Similar negative trends were found in other polls, with approval ratings as low as 40 percent.

As Americans grapple with economic challenges, Democrats have made the economy a central issue in their campaigns, while Trump has sought to portray it as strong. However, a majority of Americans—57 percent—believe the economy is getting worse, while only 14 percent think it's improving. Democrats are favored to retake the House of Representatives, but the Senate remains a more challenging battleground, with Democrats needing to flip just four seats for a majority.