Trump faces record-low approval as political pressure grows

Published: 06 October 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Donald Trump has insisted that he is “doing great” despite new polling showing his approval rating falling to a record low, as growing concerns over the economy, immigration, foreign policy and domestic political disputes create a difficult environment for the president ahead of the US midterm elections.

Trump made the claim while preparing to travel to Nebraska for a campaign appearance supporting Republican Senator Pete Ricketts. His upbeat assessment contrasted sharply with recent polling figures, which indicate that his standing among voters has weakened considerably, particularly among Hispanic Americans.

A recent Reuters poll put Trump’s overall approval rating at 32%, its lowest level recorded in that survey. Support among Hispanic voters was even weaker, with only 24% approving of his performance. Another poll found that Latino voters were increasingly favouring Democratic control of Congress, suggesting that a demographic group that could play an important role in the midterm elections may be moving away from the Republican Party.

When reporters questioned Trump about the polling, he dismissed the criticism and said he was doing very well. He also attacked the media outlet asking the question, continuing his long-running practice of challenging unfavourable coverage rather than accepting the premise of negative polling.

The exchange came at a politically significant moment. The midterm elections are approaching, and Trump’s ability to maintain Republican support in competitive states will be closely watched. While presidents do not appear directly on every ballot, their popularity can have a major influence on congressional races, especially when candidates seek to associate themselves with or distance themselves from the White House.

Trump’s visit to Nebraska demonstrated the extent to which he remains involved in Republican campaigning. At a rally, he sought to energise supporters and promote his administration’s agenda while backing Ricketts. His appearance also reflected the broader effort by Republicans to preserve their position in Congress as Democrats look for opportunities to regain ground.

During the rally, Trump also signed an executive order concerning tax treatment for red-dyed diesel, a fuel commonly used for agricultural purposes. The order was presented to him on stage by his aide Natalie Harp, and Trump joked about the fuel while appearing unfamiliar with some of its technical details.

The unusual moment added another layer to a day dominated by questions about the president’s political position.

Trump is also facing criticism over the use of taxpayer money for advertisements that promote his administration and policies. Following bipartisan objections, he said his political organisation, MAGA Inc, would cover the cost of such advertising in the future.

The dispute has raised concerns over whether public funds were improperly used for political messaging. Congressional Democrats have asked federal watchdogs to examine the matter, while critics have demanded that taxpayers be reimbursed for money already spent.

The controversy is particularly sensitive as the country approaches the midterms, when any government-funded messaging featuring the president’s achievements can be viewed through a political lens.

Trump’s foreign policy has also become a source of scrutiny. While travelling to Nebraska, he was questioned about the decision to remove US bombers from a British airbase following concerns about potential threats.

Trump said the decision was intended to avoid unnecessarily exposing the aircraft to danger. He suggested that rather than leaving the bombers in a location where they might become vulnerable, the United States would focus on identifying and confronting any threat.

Asked whether Iran could have moved combat drones into Britain, Trump did not provide a definitive answer. Instead, he warned that Iran would face severe consequences if such a development had occurred.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more cautious explanation, saying there was no direct connection between the movement of the bombers and a suspected Iranian plot. He stressed that the United States routinely reallocates military resources according to security requirements and said Washington remained confident in the safety of its bases.

The issue highlights the complex international environment facing the administration as the United States remains involved in multiple geopolitical disputes. Energy prices, the war in Ukraine and tensions involving Iran are all contributing to uncertainty over the direction of American foreign policy.

At home, the administration is also confronting a major dispute over childhood vaccination policy.

A coalition of Democratic attorneys general from 16 states has launched legal action against Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr over changes to federal vaccine recommendations. The lawsuit challenges changes introduced earlier in the year that removed recommendations for several childhood vaccines and also questions Kennedy’s decision to dismiss members of the federal advisory committee responsible for immunisation guidance.

Democratic officials argue that the changes could put children at greater risk and have accused the administration of moving away from established scientific advice.

The dispute comes as Pennsylvania experiences its largest measles outbreak in decades, with more than 1,000 cases reported. New York has also faced an ongoing measles outbreak, prompting Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a disaster emergency.

The combination of public health disputes and declining approval numbers could create additional political challenges for Republicans.

Trump’s relationship with the media remains another source of controversy. His administration has increasingly restricted access for some news organisations, with Politico reportedly barred from travelling on Air Force One during the Nebraska trip.

The decision followed earlier restrictions involving other media outlets and came despite ongoing legal disputes over White House access. Critics argue that excluding journalists from presidential travel can undermine transparency and limit the public’s ability to receive independent reporting on presidential activities.

Meanwhile, the administration continues to attract attention over personnel and political developments. Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is preparing to join Fox News as an on-air contributor after leaving the administration following the birth of her second child. Her move means that a former senior administration official will soon have a prominent platform to comment on the political landscape ahead of the midterms.

Another major development involved the criminal justice system. Trump approved a recommendation that Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist sentenced to death for killing 13 soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009, be executed by firing squad. If carried out, the execution would mark the first time in more than six decades that a US soldier had been executed.

The decision has drawn attention because of the rarity of military executions and the continuing debate surrounding the death penalty.

Immigration remains another politically charged issue. A US citizen who was shot by a federal immigration agent during an operation in Chicago has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the agent’s account of the incident was false.

The woman, Marimar Martinez, suffered seven gunshot wounds after the agent fired into her vehicle. Prosecutors initially accused her of using her car to block the agent’s SUV, but charges against her were later dismissed. Her lawyers now argue that an expert examination of bullet trajectories contradicts the original account of the shooting.

The case could add to wider criticism surrounding the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

Another development raised concerns about the treatment of political dissidents following the deportation of a Nicaraguan asylum seeker. Jeffrey Jarquín, who had previously been imprisoned and tortured after protesting against Nicaragua’s government, was detained upon returning to Managua, according to his family.

His case has highlighted the potentially serious consequences faced by asylum seekers who are returned to countries where they fear political persecution.

Taken together, the developments illustrate the range of pressures confronting Trump as he attempts to maintain political momentum.

The president continues to project confidence, insisting that his administration is succeeding despite negative polls and repeated controversies. His appearances at Republican events remain energetic, and his political organisation retains substantial financial resources for supporting candidates.

Yet the latest approval figures suggest that the political environment is becoming increasingly challenging. Weakening support among Hispanic voters, disputes over public spending, controversies surrounding health policy and continuing questions over the administration’s approach to media access and immigration are all contributing to a difficult national debate.

For Democrats, the polling offers an opportunity to argue that voters are becoming dissatisfied with Trump’s second administration. For Republicans, the challenge is to prevent that dissatisfaction from translating into losses at the ballot box.

Trump’s response has so far been consistent: dismiss the negative assessments, emphasise his achievements and insist that his political position remains strong.

But with the midterm elections approaching, the gap between presidential confidence and public approval could become increasingly important. If the low polling numbers persist, Republican candidates may have to decide how closely they want to align themselves with Trump.

The coming weeks will therefore offer an important test of whether Trump’s political influence remains strong enough to overcome declining approval ratings or whether voter dissatisfaction begins to reshape the balance of power in Washington.