Poll: Americans are anxious, pessimistic and deeply unhappy with Trump ahead of the midterms

Saying the country is on the “wrong track” means people believe national conditions are heading in an unfavorable direction. It is a broad measure of public mood, not a judgment about one single policy. In this poll, 71% gave that negative response, the highest share recorded during Trump’s second term.

The number reflects several concerns at once. Respondents reported unhappiness with economic conditions and distrust of both major parties. Forty-four percent said their finances were worse than a year earlier. Gas prices, groceries, electricity, travel, and major purchases were also creating pressure.

This mood matters because elections often turn on whether voters think the governing party is delivering progress. Registered voters preferred Democrats over Republicans for controlling Congress, 55% to 45%. If dissatisfaction remains high, Republican candidates may struggle to defend their House and Senate majorities in the November 3 election.

The approval-disapproval gap measures how many more people reject than support a president’s performance. Here, 34% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s performance, while 66% disapproved. Subtracting the two figures produces a 32-percentage-point gap against him.

The poll also found that 51% strongly disapproved, a second-term high. Trump’s approval was somewhat better among registered voters, at 39%, but their disapproval still reached 61%. His support varied sharply by group: 76% among Republican adults, 21% among independents, 28% among men under 30, and 31% among Latinos.

These figures point to a difficult political environment for Trump and Republican candidates. The president remains highly supported within his party, but broader support is weak. That creates pressure on candidates to energize loyal Republicans without alienating voters who disapprove of the administration.

Midterm elections are congressional elections held halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters choose members of the House and Senate, rather than electing a president. These contests determine which party controls Congress and whether the president can advance an agenda easily.

Public dissatisfaction can threaten the president’s party because voters often focus on national conditions and the governing party’s record. This poll found that 71% believed the country was on the wrong track. Trump’s approval was 34%, and 58% said his policies were hurting the country. Economic worries were especially important, with the economy ranking first among issues at 31%.

The warning signs are direct. Registered voters preferred Democrats over Republicans for controlling Congress, 55% to 45%. Republican candidates must keep Trump’s supporters engaged while appealing to Americans who disapprove of his administration. If that balance fails, the party could lose seats or its congressional majorities.

If registered voters continue preferring Democrats by 55% to 45%, Democratic candidates could gain enough support to take congressional seats from Republicans. The result would depend on individual races, but the overall margin signals a difficult national environment for the party currently holding power.

The poll connects this preference to broad dissatisfaction. Trump’s approval among registered voters was 39%, compared with 61% disapproval. In addition, 58% of adults said his policies were hurting the country. Economic concerns led the list of important issues, while many people reported cutting spending or changing daily habits.

The immediate implication is that Republican House and Senate majorities are in danger in the November 3 election. Republican candidates still need Trump’s supporters, including strong backing among Republican adults. At the same time, they must avoid alienating voters who distrust or disapprove of the administration.

Negative views of both parties show that dissatisfaction is broader than simple loyalty to Democrats. Voters may distrust Democrats while also holding Republicans responsible for current national conditions. That distinction matters because Republicans control the presidency and congressional majorities in the situation described by the poll.

The figures show the split clearly. Only 43% viewed the Democratic Party favorably, while 57% viewed it unfavorably. The Republican Party performed worse: 37% favorable and 63% unfavorable. Meanwhile, 58% said Trump’s policies were hurting the country, compared with 28% who said they were helping.

This creates a difficult choice for voters and Republican candidates. Democrats may benefit from opposition to the party in power even without being popular themselves. Republican candidates must defend their party’s record and support Trump while addressing voters’ economic concerns and distrust of both parties.

Rising costs are changing how Americans manage ordinary household decisions. Majorities said economic conditions had made them change which groceries they bought to live within their means. They also said they had cut spending to afford necessities, showing that price increases were affecting budgets directly.

The adjustments extended beyond food. Pluralities reported cutting back on electricity use, changing or canceling travel plans, and delaying a major purchase. Gas prices were described as a very serious or somewhat serious problem by 67% of respondents. These choices are ways households try to protect limited income when necessities cost more.

The effects help explain the poll’s sour economic mood. Only 18% said they were financially better off than a year earlier, while 44% said they were worse off. If higher costs persist, households may continue postponing purchases and reducing discretionary spending, adding to pressure on the economy and political leaders.

Inflation means prices generally rise over time, so the same amount of money buys fewer goods and services. A 3.7% year-over-year inflation rate means the measured price level was 3.7% higher than a year earlier. It does not mean every item rose by exactly that amount, but it can affect many household expenses.

The poll shows how that pressure feels in daily life. Gas prices were a serious problem for 67% of respondents. Majorities changed the groceries they bought and cut spending on necessities. Others reduced electricity use, changed or canceled travel, or delayed major purchases. These are signs of households adjusting when income does not keep pace with costs.

That helps explain why 44% said their financial situation was worse than a year ago, while only 18% said it was better. Even a moderate annual rate can feel harmful when price increases accumulate and essential expenses dominate a family budget.