Early exit polls from CBS News and CNN indicate that 38 percent of voters approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance as the 2026 midterm elections conclude. This figure is lower than the midterm exit poll approval ratings of the previous four presidents and follows months of declining sentiment regarding the cost of living and the country's direction.
The poll shows that 59 percent of voters identified the president as a factor in their vote for the U.S. House of Representatives. Among Democratic voters, 78 percent said their vote was intended to oppose the president. Conversely, 36 percent of Republican voters said their vote was to support him, while 62 percent said he was not a factor in their decision.
Economic issues were cited as a primary concern, with the annual inflation rate at 3.7 percent in September. Energy costs rose 20.4 percent over the last year, a period during which the U.S. has been engaged in military action in Iran. The exit polls found that 44 percent of voters feel their financial situation is worse than it was two years ago, while 18 percent feel it has improved.
For the average household, these sentiments are tied to concrete changes in living costs, particularly a 2.5 percent increase in food prices and a significant rise in fuel and energy bills. These financial pressures, alongside a 38 percent job approval rating—down from 45 percent in his 2018 midterm cycle—indicate that a majority of the electorate is experiencing a perceived decline in purchasing power and personal financial stability since the 2024 election. The 38 percent approval rating is notably lower than those of George W. Bush (43 percent in 2006), Barack Obama (44 percent in 2010), and Joe Biden (44 percent in 2022) during their respective midterms.
The outcome of these races will determine the future of federal policy on energy, international conflict, and economic regulation. As of Tuesday night, results are being finalized across the country, following a Reuters/Ipsos poll on November 2 that showed a generic congressional ballot lead for Democrats of 46 percent to 38 percent. The final composition of Congress will become clear as states finish counting ballots in the coming days, setting the stage for the second half of the current presidential term.