Trump's net approval among young voters drops to -53 ahead of midterms

President Donald Trump’s net approval rating among voters aged 18 to 34 has fallen to -53, according to the latest CNBC All-America Economic Survey. The decline marks a sharp deterioration from the -28 recorded at the start of his second term. Among Latino voters, the net approval rating has slid from -22 to -38 over the same period. Black respondents show a steeper drop, moving from -55 to -67.

The broader trend shows Trump’s overall net approval among all registered voters dropping from -7 at the beginning of his term to -19 in the current survey. Economic disapproval has reached 65%, the highest level recorded for any president since the measurement began under Barack Obama. This figure exceeds President Joe Biden’s worst showing by one point. The survey indicates growing frustration with inflation and the handling of immigration, particularly following the launch of the Iran war in early 2026.

Republican support has also weakened. Net approval among self-described Trump voters has decreased from +85 in 2025 to +65. In the South, a region that previously showed slight positive support, net approval has turned negative at -20. Despite these drops, 82% of Republicans still approve of the president, and 90% of those identifying with the MAGA movement maintain positive views. However, interest in the upcoming midterm elections is 10 points lower among Republicans than among Democrats.

The poll, conducted from Oct. 14 to 18, surveyed 1,000 registered voters nationwide. It carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The survey was co-led by Hart Research Associates, a Democratic firm, and Public Opinion Strategies, a Republican firm. Forty-four percent of respondents cited allowing the president to operate beyond constitutional limits as their biggest worry if Republicans control Congress. Conversely, 28% feared the passage of Democratic Socialist policies if Democrats took control.

Economic optimism among Republicans has fallen 22 points, reaching its lowest level since the Biden administration. Blue-collar workers show a similar pattern, with net economic approval plunging 22 points to -15 since the start of the term. Their overall presidential approval remains at +6, down only four points. These groups still prefer a Republican-controlled Congress by 21 points, though that margin has narrowed from 33 points in July. The survey reflects a 7-point preference for Democratic control of Congress, up from 3 points in the July survey.

The upcoming midterm elections will determine the balance of power in Congress next week. Trump is not on the ballot but remains a central figure in the race. The data suggests that the coalition that secured his victory in 2024 is facing pressure from economic concerns and policy disputes. The results indicate a more challenging environment for Republican congressional candidates than previously projected.