Poll: Trump 'worst president since polling began' with 38% approval

Donald Trump is reportedly the "worst President since polling began," according to early results from the NBC News Exit Poll reported by the Mirror ^[1]. As midterm election results begin to roll in, nearly half of voters indicated they viewed the election as an opportunity for a major condemnation of the President's performance.

The NBC News Exit Poll ^[2] shows that only 38 percent of voters approve of Trump’s job performance. This figure is significantly lower than the 45 percent approval rating he held during his first midterm election in 2018. Analysts note that this approval rating is lower than that of any sitting president on Election Day in nearly two decades.

Trump’s campaign blitz in recent weeks, aimed at boosting Republican candidates, has failed to improve his standing. In Senate battleground states like Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, and Texas, majorities of voters stated they disapprove of Trump’s handling of his job. Furthermore, 43 percent of voters said a primary reason for their vote was to express opposition to Trump, a figure far higher than in 2018.

The economy remains the dominant issue. According to the NBC News Exit Poll ^[2], most voters reported that inflation is causing hardship for their families, with gas, food, and utility costs being significant concerns. Sixty-five percent of voters said Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 62 percent held him responsible for high prices. This marks a stark contrast to 2018, when voters largely viewed the economy positively.

While Trump has projected confidence publicly, US outlets cited sources in his camp claiming he has "privately conceded" that his party may be facing a "worst case scenario," according to the Mirror ^[1]. The President spent Election Day posting support for Republican candidates on Truth Social, but the exit polls suggest his influence is waning. Democrats need to flip four seats in the Senate and three in the House to regain control.

Voters also expressed widespread disapproval of Congress, with three-quarters saying they disapprove of how it is handling its job. On specific issues, 57 percent of voters said Trump’s immigration enforcement actions have gone too far, and 62 percent said the United States erred in launching military strikes against Iran. With Latino voters and those under 30 being watched closely, the data suggests a turbulent night for the Republican Party.