Trump approval plunges to 38% as polls begin to close

As polls closed across parts of the United States on Tuesday, a CBS News exit poll revealed that President Donald Trump's approval rating had plummeted to 38%, marking the lowest approval rating for an incumbent president during a midterm election. According to the poll, roughly three-quarters of voters were dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and a majority now hold negative views of the economy compared to two years ago.

In a pre-election interview with CBS News, President Trump acknowledged his "ultimate power" lies in the veto, expressing his intention to force Democrats to reach bipartisan deals should they gain ground in the midterm elections. He also expressed frustration with the media, stating he could not stand the voice of journalist Jessica Tarlov on Fox News.

As voting concluded in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia, as well as portions of Indiana and Kentucky, control of Congress and several key gubernatorial and state legislative contests were in the balance. Early projections by Fox News suggested that Democratic Senator Mark Warner would secure another term in Virginia, defeating Republican Bert Mizusawa, a former military major general.