A widely watched AP-NORC poll now puts President Trump’s job approval at 31%, the lowest of his presidency to date.
Story Highlights
- AP-NORC finds 31% approve and 69% disapprove of Trump’s job performance, a series low.
- Only 26% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy; 17% approve on cost of living.
- Poll surveyed adults nationwide Sept. 24–28 and was released Oct. 1, 2026.
- Approval has slid from low 40s earlier in 2026 to low 30s as midterms near.
AP-NORC Registers A New Low In Presidential Approval
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reported that 31% of U.S. adults approve of how President Trump is handling his job, while 69% disapprove. The poll was conducted September 24 to 28 and released October 1, 2026. The result marks the lowest approval recorded for Trump across AP-NORC’s series spanning his first and second terms. The level is two points below the group’s July reading, signaling continued erosion as voters weigh the country’s direction.
Associated Press coverage and the AP-NORC data point to sharp pressure on economic ratings within the same survey cycle. Only 26% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, and 17% approve of his handling of the cost of living, both lows in the series. Those numbers reflect the daily strain families feel when paychecks do not cover rising bills. For many readers, this ties to a core worry: leaders talk about wins, but grocery and energy prices still bite hard.
Economy And Prices Drive Voter Frustration Across Party Lines
Adults who spoke to AP-NORC pollsters blamed federal policy for high prices at notable rates, underscoring the cross-pressures on the White House. Conservatives see renewable mandates and federal spending as drivers of higher costs. Liberals see corporate power and reduced safety nets doing the same. The shared bottom line is simple: most families think Washington is not easing the squeeze. That view widens the gap between elites and the public, and it shows in the approval slide.
AP-NORC trend summaries show Trump’s approval hovered near 40% earlier in 2026, then slipped into the mid-to-low 30s as prices stayed elevated and the cost of essentials dominated talk at kitchen tables. That pattern fits a broader era of polarized politics, where presidents face a narrow ceiling and long stretches of negative ratings. Such numbers matter because they shape turnout, enthusiasm, and how candidates frame closing arguments in the final weeks before voting.
Why The 31% Matters For The Midterms And Beyond
Approval at 31% complicates efforts to defend House and Senate majorities, even with unified government. Low approval can depress base energy and push independents away from the party in power. The AP-NORC result does not predict exact seat counts, but it signals headwinds for the GOP brand bound to President Trump. Midterm campaigns often hinge on cost of living, and these data suggest many voters want relief, not talking points.
15 sec Polls update: 🇺🇸 For U.S. Readers Who Want Info.
Current as at October 1st 2026
🇺🇸 TRUMP'S APPROVAL RATINGS U.S. WIDE
By: State – Age – Education – Gender – Party – Race—————————————————————
🇺🇸 TRUMP HITS MID TERM CAMPAIGN… pic.twitter.com/H9gdPad9nP
— Results (@ResultsOOO) October 2, 2026
Limits apply to any single poll, but this reading aligns with other AP-NORC snapshots from 2026 that show a steady decline from the low 40s to the low 30s. Pollsters surveyed a large national sample of adults, not only likely voters, which can differ from election-day coalitions. Still, the message is consistent: Americans across the spectrum think Washington is failing to lower prices and improve daily life. That shared frustration fuels distrust of elites and weakens patience with both parties.
Sources:
feedpress.me, apnews.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com
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