As the United States approaches November’s congressional midterm elections, anxiety is mounting within the Republican Party over the prospect of losses that could extend into states long regarded as Republican strongholds.
According to The Independent, several Republican senators believe President Donald Trump has become a significant political liability for the party’s candidates, particularly those seeking re-election in the midterms.
One Republican senator, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the newspaper that the sentiment had become “the prevailing mood within the Republican caucus,” reflecting a growing belief that the president’s policies are damaging the party’s electoral prospects.
A major source of concern, The Independent reported, is Trump’s continued push for the proposed Save America Act, which would impose stricter voter identification requirements, along with his call to establish a nearly $1.8 billion Anti-Government Politicization Fund. Critics argue the fund could benefit Trump’s political allies. Critics contend that Trump’s political allies could benefit from the fund to reward Trump’s political allies.
Outgoing Republican Senator Thom Tillis described the proposed fund as a political burden weighing on Republican candidates.
“I want to remove this burden from members of our party running in November because there is simply no way to justify it,” Tillis said.
“It will give Democrats credibility when they tie this issue to Republicans,” he added. “It does nothing to improve the president’s approval ratings, it does nothing to help our candidates seeking re-election, and nothing positive will come from it.”
Although the Trump administration has insisted the fund proposal is no longer under consideration, Democrats argue those assurances rest on an “extremely fragile” legal foundation, according to The Independent.
Historic Slide in Polling
The Washington Post, Newsweek, and CNN have all highlighted data from independent national polling organizations showing an unprecedented decline in Trump’s approval ratings.
Trump appeared to dismiss the findings, writing on his Truth Social platform: “My real poll numbers—not the fake ones made up by the fake news media—are the best they have ever been.”
However, The Washington Post noted that Trump did not identify any specific poll he was criticizing or cite polling showing stronger public support.
According to the newspaper, a Quinnipiac University poll found Trump’s approval rating at 32%, while separate surveys by CNN and The Economist/YouGov placed it at 34%. National polling averages ranged between 36% and 40%—their lowest levels since Trump’s return to the White House.
The sharp decline The ongoing war with Iran and the resulting economic pressures have largely driven the sharp decline. driven largely by the continuing war with Iran and the resulting economic pressures. Disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed gasoline prices up by 32 cents, sending the national average above $4 per gallon.
A CNN poll cited by The Washington Post found that only 28% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, down five percentage points since March. Meanwhile, 74% said they believe the president lacks a clear strategy for managing the military confrontation.
Even Pro-Trump Polls Show Declining Support
According to Newsweek, polling conducted by or aligned with Republican organizations also points to weakening support for the president.
A Rasmussen Reports survey found Trump’s approval rating at 44%, while 55% disapproved of his performance. Meanwhile, a McLaughlin & Associates poll showed a modest decline compared with last year.
By contrast, a Signal poll offered a more favorable assessment of Trump’s personal image rather than his job performance, finding that 56.1% of respondents viewed him favorably, compared with 41.9% who held an unfavorable opinion.
David Stebenne, professor of history and law at Ohio State University, told Newsweek that presidential approval ratings often reach their lowest point during the sixth year of an administration.
“If 2026 proves to be the most difficult economic year of Trump’s presidency, his approval rating could recover in 2027 or 2028 if economic conditions improve,” he said.
Matthew Dallek, a political management professor at George Washington University, said a recovery remains possible but would depend on several factors, including bringing the Iran conflict under control, easing inflation, sustaining labor market growth, and avoiding further political controversies.
He cautioned, however, that rebuilding broad public support would remain a formidable challenge given widespread political fatigue across the United States.
Taken together, the polling suggests the upcoming midterm elections could become a referendum on Trump’s presidency, with Democrats hoping to capitalize on his declining popularity while Republicans race to limit the political damage ahead of November.
Source: Al-Jazeera Net (Edited and translated by Al-Manar English)