President Donald Trump dismissed national polls showing his job approval rating at record lows, describing the figures as "fake" during an interview with The Washington Examiner published Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. While a RealClearPolitics average showed a 38.8% approval rating, Trump stated he believes his actual support is closer to 60%.
The disagreement over polling comes as candidates approach the November midterm elections. Multiple surveys have reported low public confidence in the president’s performance. A New York Times/Siena College poll released during the week of Oct. 19 placed his approval at 34%, which the Times noted was the lowest for a president approaching midterms since Harry Truman’s 33% in 1946.
In the interview, Trump cited his strong support within the Republican Party as the basis for his 60% claim. He referred to an analysis by CNN’s Harry Enten that showed his approval rating among "MAGA Republicans" at 98% in September. However, Enten also reported that the president’s net approval rating on inflation has dropped from +8 points in 2024 to -45 points ahead of the upcoming elections.
The polling data affects candidates and voters in both parties as they finalize strategies for the November midterm elections. According to reported figures, the president's job approval has reached record lows for his two terms, with a Reuters/Ipsos survey recently recording a 31% approval rating. Enten’s analysis shows a 53-point swing into negative territory regarding inflation since 2024.
Several national surveys involving thousands of respondents reflect these figures. A Pew Research Center survey from late September and early October found that 68% of Americans disapproved of the president's performance, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll from Oct. 16–19 reported a 65% disapproval rate. For the 30% to 34% of Americans who do approve, the president’s primary defense is his support among his party base.
The outcome of these elections will determine the balance of power in the House and Senate. NPR reports that while House races show momentum toward the Democratic Party in competitive seats, the picture remains complicated, and Republicans are currently on defense in the Senate. The midterm elections are scheduled for November 2026.