The US midterms and Trump's sinking popularity
The US midterms and Trump's sinking popularity newspress_en Tue, 11/03/2026 - 03:36 Politics More than 100 million American voters are expected to head to the polls this week to elect 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 senators, who will together form the country’s 120th Congress. Throughout history, the US president’s party has generally suffered losses in the midterm elections,…
The United States is set to hold midterms this week, where over 100 million voters are expected to cast ballots. Historically, the president's party usually loses seats in these elections, with the president's popularity playing a significant role in determining voting patterns. President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped below 39%, while Congress's public approval has plummeted to 16%.
This decline is attributed to Trump's inability to fulfill campaign promises, including ending wars, improving living standards, and reducing healthcare costs. Despite his promises, Trump initiated a war with Iran, a conflict that many Republicans deem unwarranted. Inflation has risen to 3.4%, surpassing the Federal Reserve's target of 2%.
Economic growth has not exceeded 2% over the past two years, mirroring the performance of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Deficit spending is projected to reach $3.4tn over the next decade, exacerbating financial burdens on low- and middle-income households. House prices have surged by 35%, mortgage interest rates have climbed to 6.5%, and utility bills have increased due to the war with Iran.
Other pressing concerns include the rise of AI and job losses, with data centers growing from 4,700 to 6,700. The 2026 midterms are the most expensive in U.S. and world history, with projected political ad spending and reservations totaling $11.6bn. Republicans have a fundraising advantage due to the Supreme Court's removal of campaign finance limits, which Republicans have capitalized on.
Democrats hope to regain control of the House of Representatives or secure a majority in the Senate, as either outcome would constrain Trump. Winning both chambers would make impeachment proceedings possible. Democrats need to win five additional House seats and four Senate seats, but they currently hold narrow leads in three Senate races: Ohio, Texas, and Iowa.
Despite Trump's popularity among Republicans, issues like inflation, corruption, and fuel prices are more pressing for voters this election cycle, which is dominated by concerns over the cost of living.
Written by urgent.news from Al Majalla English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
