Trump approval rises as Democrats gain edge in Congress poll

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has risen from a record low, while Americans increasingly favour Democrats taking control of Congress, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted after the Republican Party’s first midterm convention last week.

The four-day poll found that 63% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s proposal in his convention speech to give every American a $5,000 dividend if Republicans retain control of Congress in November’s midterm elections. The proposal was opposed by four in 10 Republicans and nine in 10 Democrats.

The survey gathered responses from 1,143 Americans nationwide and had a margin of error of three percentage points in either direction.

Trump approval edges higher

About 35% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance in the White House, up from 33% in the August 28–31 Reuters/Ipsos poll, when his approval rating reached the lowest point of his political career.

Trump’s popularity has declined since he launched a war on Iran in February, disrupting oil shipments from the Middle East and pushing US fuel prices close to record highs, putting pressure on household finances.

Since the war began, Republicans have also lost some public support and, in recent weeks, surrendered their longstanding advantage over Democrats as the party viewed as better able to handle economic policy.

Democrats widen electoral advantage

In the poll’s generic ballot question, which asks voters which party they would support if congressional elections were held today, 44% chose Democrats while 37% chose Republicans.

The seven-point Democratic advantage was the widest since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. Losing control of either the House of Representatives or Senate could make it more difficult for Trump to advance his agenda during the final two years of his term.

Generic ballot polls measure national sentiment but do not capture the state-by-state and district-by-district contests that will ultimately determine control of Congress. Republicans retain structural advantages in some Senate and House races.

Voters also gave Democrats a narrow advantage over Republicans on the economy, with 38% saying Democrats were better stewards of economic policy compared with 37% for Republicans. Democrats gained that advantage over the summer for the first time in about a decade.

Trump projects face opposition

Trump’s construction projects across the US capital, including a planned ballroom at the White House, were largely viewed through partisan lines.

Some 91% of Democrats in the poll said they opposed the plans, compared with about one in four Republicans. Overall, roughly two-thirds of Americans, including half of Republicans, said the construction projects were a low priority.

The findings point to growing challenges for Republicans as they prepare for the November midterm elections, despite the slight improvement in Trump’s overall approval rating.