AP-NORC poll: voters say Trump falling short and want change ahead of midterms
An AP-NORC poll taken less than four weeks before the 2026 midterms finds a strong majority of voters think Trump is falling short at home and abroad, with Democrats more motivated and a preference for Democratic control of Congress.
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 2A new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, conducted less than four weeks before Election Day, finds that a strong majority of voters believe President Donald Trump is falling short at home and abroad and want major change in the midterm elections. The HinduLC “A strong majority of voters believe that U.S. President Donald Trump is falling short at home and abroad, and they want major change in the upcoming midterm elections” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC “conducted less than four weeks before Election Day” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1About 8 in 10 voters name the economy or cost of living among their top issues, and about two-thirds say the same of healthcare and the war in Iran; immigration and crime, issues seen as stronger for Trump, rank lower. The HinduLC “About 8 in 10 voters overall say the economy or the cost of living is among their top issues for the upcoming election, while about two-thirds say this about healthcare and the war in Iran.” Read at The Hindu ↗ Left · 2Only about one-third of registered voters view Trump favorably, and a similar share approve of his job performance. About 8 in 10 disapprove of his handling of the cost of living, in line with a September AP-NORC poll, and about three-quarters disapprove of his performance on the economy. The HinduLC “about 8 in 10 registered voters disapprove of how Mr. Trump is handling the cost of living, in line with a September AP-NORC poll. About three-quarters disapprove of his performance on the economy.” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC “Only about one-third of registered voters hold a "very" or "somewhat" favorable opinion of the Republican president” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 2Among Republican voters, 44% approve of Trump's handling of the cost of living, 54% of the economy and 69% of foreign policy, as the Iran war enters its eighth month despite his promise it would last four or five weeks. The HinduLC “Just 69% of Republican voters support Mr. Trump on foreign policy as the war in Iran stretches into its eighth month, despite his promises that it would only last four or five weeks.” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC “just 44% of Republican voters approve of Trump's performance on the cost of living, while 54% approve of his overall economic stewardship” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 2Democrats appear more motivated: about three-quarters of Democratic voters call voting 'extremely' important, versus roughly 6 in 10 Republicans. About half of registered voters prefer Democratic control of the House or Senate, roughly 4 in 10 prefer Republican control, and 15% are undecided. The HinduLC “about three-quarters of Democratic voters say that voting in this November’s midterm elections is “extremely” important, compared with roughly 6 in 10 Republicans” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC “Roughly 4 in 10 favor Republican control, while 15% remain undecided.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 2About half of voters want 'substantial change' and roughly 3 in 10 want 'complete and total upheaval'; among Republicans, 45% want substantial change and 13% upheaval. The HinduLC “About half of voters say they want “substantial change,” and roughly 3 in 10 want “complete and total upheaval” in the way the country is run.” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC “Slightly under half of Republicans, 45%, support substantial change, and 13% favor upheaval.” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 2Enthusiasm for Democrats is limited: about 4 in 10 view the Democratic Party favorably and half unfavorably, while about 6 in 10 view Republicans unfavorably. About two-thirds of independents view the GOP negatively, against about 4 in 10 who view Democrats negatively. The HinduLC “About two-thirds of independent voters view the GOP negatively, compared with about 4 in 10 who view Democrats negatively.” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC “Overall, about 4 in 10 voters view Democrats favorably, whereas half view the party negatively.” Read at The Independent ↗ Left · 1Vice President JD Vance fares similarly: about half of voters view him unfavorably and about one-third favorably. The HinduLC “About half have a “somewhat” or “very” negative view of Vance, compared with about one-third who have a positive opinion.” Read at The Hindu ↗ Left · 2Voters quoted include Democrat Diana Walker of Georgia, who said 'We can barely afford anything'; Republican DonnaJean Weber of Michigan, who will back Republicans but dislikes the economy and tariffs; and independent Michael Russo of Texas, who called conditions 'a nightmare' and doubts Democrats would do much either. The HinduLC ““Everything’s going up,” she said, pointing to the impact of the war with Iran, among other Mr. Trump decisions.” Read at The Hindu ↗ The IndependentLC ““I’m not confident they’re going to do anything if they get into power,” Russo said.” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left3 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets lead with the poll as a warning for Republicans: voters see Trump failing on the economy and the Iran war and want change. The Independent's headline is more pointed than the AP wire copy carried by The Hindu.
- Emphasis
- Trump's weak ratings, the Democratic enthusiasm gap, cost of living, the unpopular Iran war and cracks in Republican support.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither adds a White House or Republican response, or poll methodology such as sample size and margin of error.
- Charged language
- “brutal midterm poll”“serious warning signs”“unpopular war”
- For example
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“Trump hit by brutal midterm poll as voters turn against his economy and Iran war” — The Independent
“raises serious warning signs for the Republican Party at a critical moment” — The Hindu
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The AP-NORC poll was conducted less than four weeks before Election Day.
- About a third of registered voters view Trump favorably and about 8 in 10 disapprove of his handling of the cost of living.
- Democrats are more enthusiastic about voting, and about half prefer Democratic control of Congress versus roughly 4 in 10 for Republicans.
AP-NORC Poll organisation
The AP-NORC poll presents the findings as a challenging picture for Republicans, while noting the Democratic advantage is small in some measures and enthusiasm for Democrats is limited.
“The Democratic advantage is small in some cases, but, taken together, the findings paint a challenging picture for Republicans” — The Hindu
Donald Trump person
Trump is not quoted; the poll reports low approval, especially on the cost of living, and notes his promise that the Iran war would last four or five weeks.
“Voters are deeply frustrated with Mr. Trump and his leadership on the issues they say matter most.” — The Hindu
Left3 articles
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Trump hit by brutal midterm poll as voters turn against his economy and Iran war
Critical Rewrites the AP-NORC findings under a headline stressing a 'brutal' poll for Trump and an Iran 'war' voters oppose.
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The HinduLC · · via AP
Frustrated with Trump, voters overwhelmingly want change in Washington, an AP-NORC poll finds
Neutral AP wire copy carried by The Hindu presenting the poll as a warning for Republicans, with voter quotes across parties.
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Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 15 Oct 12:54 First The IndependentLC Trump hit by brutal midterm poll as voters turn against his economy and Iran war
- 15 Oct 18:50 +5h 55m The HinduLC Frustrated with Trump, voters overwhelmingly want change in Washington, an AP-NORC poll finds via AP
- 15 Oct 19:17 +6h 23m Al JazeeraLC Ahead of US midterms, voters are frustrated with Trump, want change: Poll
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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