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The Moment Trump Blew the Midterms
Confirmed
In Short: Former President Donald Trump's efforts to rally support for Republicans in the midterms were met with tepid enthusiasm as his approval ratings hit a new low.
Former President Donald Trump's 32-day campaign sprint to the November 3 midterm elections, which included a stop in Grand Island, Nebraska, saw him flit through various topics from Iran to Venezuela, and even a legally dubious pledge to give $5,000 to all adults if Republicans win.
Despite his efforts, Trump's approval rating, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, stood at 32%, matching the lowest point of his political career.
At a rally in Grand Island, Trump urged Republicans to 'pretend' he was on the ballot, framing the midterms as a referendum on his administration and economic record.
However, the day before the Iran war, Trump's approval rating on gas prices was 49%, a stark contrast to his current standing.
GOP strategist Sarah Longwell noted, 'Trump's strength has always been primarily devised from his relationship to the voters,' suggesting that his current approval ratings reflect a disconnect with the electorate.
Registered voters preferred Democrats over Republicans 44% to 37% when asked which party they would support in the midterms, according to the same poll.
Meanwhile, Democrats are cautiously optimistic about the midterms, with some voters described as 'double haters' who have limited affection for the party.
The stakes for many Americans seem higher than in previous midterms, with Democrats winning a majority of governorships for the first time in 16 years.
What this adds
The Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's mail-in voting executive order has further complicated his efforts to influence the midterms.
Despite the low approval ratings, Trump continues to push for Republican victories, emphasizing his economic record and urging voters to view the midterms as a referendum on his administration.
Background
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not seek reelection as House minority leader after Republicans lost control of the chamber during the midterm elections.
Former President Donald Trump now faces a lame-duck status after the Democratic sweep of the U.S. midterm elections, which saw Democrats win a majority of governorships for the first time in 16 years, taking 21 out of 36 governorships.
What's confirmed
- Former President Donald Trump's 32-day campaign sprint to the November 3 midterm elections, which included a stop in Grand Island, Nebraska, saw him flit through various topics from Iran to Venezuela, and even a legally dubious pledge to give $5,000 to all adults if Republicans win.
- Despite his efforts, Trump's approval rating, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, stood at 32%, matching the lowest point of his political career.
- At a rally in Grand Island, Trump urged Republicans to 'pretend' he was on the ballot, framing the midterms as a referendum on his administration and economic record.
- However, the day before the Iran war, Trump's approval rating on gas prices was 49%, a stark contrast to his current standing.
- GOP strategist Sarah Longwell noted, 'Trump's strength has always been primarily devised from his relationship to the voters,' suggesting that his current approval ratings reflect a disconnect with the electorate.
- Registered voters preferred Democrats over Republicans 44% to 37% when asked which party they would support in the midterms, according to the same poll.
- Meanwhile, Democrats are cautiously optimistic about the midterms, with some voters described as 'double haters' who have limited affection for the party.
- The stakes for many Americans seem higher than in previous midterms, with Democrats winning a majority of governorships for the first time in 16 years.
What's still developing
- Trump is raging at the Supreme Court after his own appointees helped block his administration’s mail-ballot rules, and George Conway joins Sam Stein to discuss the ruling, Trump’s extraordinary attack on the justices he picked, and what could come next as the midterms approach.
- Bulwark LIVE Benefit for Springfield: Some moments require you to step up.
- The success of the measure — arguably the most significant piece of legislation the Senate will pass before recessing until the midterms — marked a moment of significant progress for a yearslong push by lawmakers to intervene in college sports regulation.
- Moment Nicki Minaj joins Trump on stage at Michigan rally Rapper Nicki Minaj said US President Donald Trump has "changed the energy of the country" as she joined him at a Michigan rally to campaign for Republicans ahead of the nationwide midterm elections.
- Obama attacks Trump as he campaigns for Democrats ahead of midterm elections Michigan Senate debate spotlights increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric as midterms race heats up Independent review announced into murder of student Henry Nowak Israel and the US are both going to the polls - the consequences will be global Chris Brown given suspended eight-month prison sentence over nightclub attack Daughter wins £127k claim for caring for mum at home Is 'ferritin face' a real thing - and can you really spot low iron from looks?
- With the 2026 midterms looking more and more like a big blue-wave election thanks to Donald Trump ’s weak job-approval ratings and the lack of any sign he understands why voters aren’t happy with him, we’ve reached a moment when Democratic loyalists are crossing their fingers, touching wood, and forcing themselves to remember recent electoral disappointments.
- Trump wrote in a social media post shortly before departing the White House for a pre-midterms rally in Mississippi.
Sources
- Voxlink
- Srnnewslink
- Thebulwarklink
- NPRlink
- Talkingpointsmemolink
- USA Todaylink
- BBClink
- Wloslink
- Nymaglink
- Whowhatwhylink
- Jezebellink
- Nypostlink
- Momentmaglink
- WarpBeat — background on US News Will lame duck Trump cause a flap after the midterms? 04 Nov 2026 link
- WarpBeat — background on Trump Faces Lame-Duck Status After Democrats Win Midterms link
- FOX 11 Los Angeles — video link