Exit polls show Trump approval at 38 percent

President Donald Trump faces his lowest approval rating of the modern era, according to early exit polls released for the 2026 midterm elections. His standing sits at 38 percent, a number lower than his ratings during his first term. It also falls below the approval rating George W. Bush held in 2006, a year when his party lost control of both houses of Congress.

Voters treated this election as a direct judgment on the sitting president. Approximately 60 percent of respondents said Trump influenced their choice for the House. This sentiment drove the Democratic vote more than the Republican one. Most Republican voters supporting the Trump brand cited him as a reason to vote. In contrast, most non-MAGA Republicans said the president did not affect their decision. Fewer Republicans named Trump as a factor in 2018, showing a shift in party loyalty.

The mood among the electorate is negative. About 75 percent of voters reported being at least dissatisfied with the direction of the country. More people expressed anger about national conditions than did in 2024. This anger is particularly strong among those voting for Democrats. Views of the economy have worsened over the past two years. Current sentiment aligns with the 2022 midterms, a cycle where the party in power lost seats.

Financial stress is a central theme. More than twice as many voters said their personal finances have worsened compared to those who said they have improved. Concerns span gas, groceries, and utilities across party lines. For the second consecutive election, a majority of voters said inflation caused hardship for their families. About 20 percent described that hardship as severe.

When forced to choose a single most important issue, voters selected the economy. The state of democracy followed. Democratic supporters prioritized the state of democracy, while Republican supporters chose the economy and then immigration. Cost of living was a major factor for all groups but weighed heavier on Democratic voters. Immigration enforcement mattered more to Republicans. Voters who ranked democracy as their top issue were also likely to cite government corruption as a key reason for their vote.

Nearly 90 percent of national voters said government corruption was a major factor in their decision. This share was similar to the number citing the cost of living. About 60 percent of voters believe Trump prioritizes his personal interests over the nation’s. The war with Iran was less influential than economic concerns, but it was unpopular. Most voters, including about 25 percent of Republicans, said the United States made the wrong decision to take military action. Voters worried about gas prices were most likely to oppose the attack.

Dissatisfaction with the president did not create a strong preference for the opposing party. No majority of voters viewed either political party favorably. About 20 percent of House voters backing Democrats held an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party itself. Most Democrats voted against Trump rather than for their own party’s agenda. The Democratic Party was not seen as overwhelmingly better equipped to handle key issues.

Newer issues also appeared in the data. In every Senate battleground state, majorities opposed building a data center in their community. More voters said artificial intelligence harms society than helps it. Large majorities were confident their votes would be counted accurately. They also believed eligible voters would be allowed to vote. However, Republican voters were less confident that ineligible people would be stopped from voting.

Trump’s job approval was below 50 percent in nearly all Senate battleground states. This included states he won by double digits in 2024. In all of those battlegrounds, more voters said their finances are worse now than they were years ago. Majorities of voters supporting candidates from both parties said controlling the Senate was a major reason for their vote. The CBS News exit poll interviewed thousands of voters at polling locations on Election Day and in the weeks prior.