Only 28% of Americans currently view the economy as at least "somewhat good," a stark decline from 69% in 2018 and 59% in 2006. This plummeting economic sentiment, coupled with deep disapproval of foreign entanglements, signals a profound crisis for the political establishment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Data journalist G. Elliott Morris reports that the current president appears to be the most unpopular on the eve of a midterm in modern history.
President Trump's economic approval rating stands at a dismal 27%, with 73% disapproving, resulting in a net of minus-46. This contrasts sharply with 2018, when his economic approval was generally around 50% and often in positive territory. In 2006, the previous low point, President Bush's net approval on the economy ranged between minus-18 and minus-25. Other economic indicators are hovering around all-time lows, according to CNN’s Alicia Wallace, directly impacting the native working class.
Voters are increasingly prioritizing economic concerns, with 68% now stating the economy is "extremely important" to their vote. This figure is significantly higher than the 44% who said the same in 2018 and 32% in 2006. The cost of living, particularly high domestic gas prices, remains a primary complaint among the populace, a direct burden on everyday citizens.
Unpopular Wars, Elite Priorities
The ongoing Iran war is proving even more unpopular than the Iraq war was 20 years ago. Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of this conflict by 47 points, and 52 points say the war wasn’t worth it, according to a new CNN poll. In 2006, both President Bush’s approval on the Iraq war and public support for the war were about 30 points underwater at their worst.
CNN’s Harry Enten found that the president’s net approval rating on foreign affairs is minus-42, a worse standing than any president since at least Ronald Reagan. Despite the absence of ground troops and large numbers of U.S. troop deaths, the public’s opposition to foreign interventions remains potent. Similar numbers of voters, 48% today compared to 46% 20 years ago, consider these wars "extremely important" to their vote, highlighting a consistent public rejection of elite-driven foreign policy.
The Political Class Disconnect
A significant 44% of registered voters indicate their vote is intended to send a message of opposition to the president. This is a larger protest vote than seen 8 years ago, when 38% expressed opposition, and 20 years ago, when 36% did. The current 25-point split between opposition and support underscores a deep public dissatisfaction with the political establishment.
Despite this widespread discontent, the generic ballot has not shifted dramatically towards the Democratic Party. Democrats lead by eight points in the most recent CNN poll, a smaller margin than the 9 to 12 points 8 years ago or the 13 to 18 points 20 years ago. This suggests a broader rejection of the political class, not merely one party.
Indeed, the Democratic Party’s brand remains poor, with a July CNN poll showing only 30% of Americans holding a favorable opinion of the party. This represents its worst pre-midterm rating since at least 1994, barely better than the GOP’s 31% favorable rating. Both major parties are seen as failing the native population, trapped in a cycle of unpopular policies and economic decline.