Democrats overtake GOP on economy as Trump approval hits 35%

The survey of 4,505 U.S. adults reveals that 37% of registered voters favor the Democratic approach to the economy, narrowly edging out the 36% who prefer the Republican platform. This loss of momentum marks a significant reversal for the GOP, which had maintained a consistent advantage throughout Trump’s first term and the entirety of Joe Biden’s presidency. The deterioration of the Republican lead tracks closely with rising gasoline prices, which have climbed by over 25% since the onset of the conflict with Iran in February. As Americans face an average increase of more than one dollar per gallon at the pump, these fiscal anxieties appear to be reshaping the political landscape ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

While Republicans currently defend narrow majorities in Congress, the poll indicates a 42% to 37% preference for Democratic candidates in generic congressional ballots, with independents favoring Democrats by a 12-point margin. Despite these findings, the path to November remains complex, as only about three dozen House seats and eight Senate seats are considered truly competitive. Trump, who has consistently dismissed unfavorable data as fabricated by the media, maintains that his internal metrics show record support. The poll, conducted from Wednesday through Monday, carries a margin of error of 2 percentage points.