Clear Democratic Lead Ahead of U.S. Midterm Elections; Trump Loses Trust Over Economy

[Financial News] A poll has found that the Democratic Party holds a clear lead in voter support ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November. The survey was conducted among 1,503 likely voters nationwide from August 8 to 13.
According to the poll released on the 15th local time by the U.S. daily The New York Times (NYT) and Siena College, 51% of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for a Democratic Party candidate in their congressional district if the election were held today. Forty-three percent said they would be likely to vote for a Republican Party candidate.
Donald Trump’s job approval rating stood at a low 38%. For the first time since the start of Trump’s second term, a majority of respondents—52%—said they did not strongly approve of the president.
More than half of respondents also rated Donald Trump’s job performance negatively on all major issues, including the economy, immigration and war. Even on immigration and the economy—the issues that drove Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election—more respondents said they trusted the Democratic Party than the Republican Party. Among Republican Party supporters, only 28% said they approved of Trump’s handling of prices and the cost of living.
With fewer than 50 days remaining before the midterm elections, NYT noted, "The Democratic Party has secured a clear advantage over the Republican Party as President Trump has lost trust over the economy." It added, "As President Trump remains unpopular and dissatisfaction with the cost of living persists, the Republican Party’s vulnerability has grown amid the Democratic Party’s push to retake both the Senate and the House of Representatives."
However, NYT also noted, "The poll results suggest a Democratic landslide in the midterm elections, but they do not guarantee the actual outcome." One factor cited was the impact of gerrymandering, or the artificial redrawing of electoral districts. NYT explained that, ahead of the midterm elections, several states had approved House district maps favorable to Republican Party candidates.
[email protected] Hong Chae-wan Reporter