Trump Approval Rating Falls to 37% Ahead of 2026 Midterm Elections

President Trump’s approval rating has reached a low in the Wall Street Journal’s pre-election polling series, while prediction markets reflect uncertainty over control of Congress.

Trump approval rating fell to 37% ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to a Wall Street Journal poll.

• Why it matters: It’s the lowest level for a president before midterm elections in the Journal’s surveys dating back to 1990.

Trump Remains Optimistic Amid Growing Republican Concern Despite His Falling Approval Rating

Trump has expressed confidence that Republicans will perform well in the November elections, even as the numbers show a more complicated political environment.

The Wall Street Journal reported concern among strategists, lawmakers, and Republican candidates competing in key races just weeks before the election.

Part of that concern also appears in states where Republican candidates face pressure over the cost of living, particularly fuel prices.

• The figure: The WSJ poll shows 37% approval and 61% disapproval among registered voters, with a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points.

Trump himself has tried to mobilize his supporters. On Truth Social, he asked MAGA voters to act as if he were on the ballot and promised to support Republican candidates.

Polymarket Puts Congress Under the Microscope

President Trump’s 37% job approval rating is the lowest of any president before a midterm election (note: polling data goes back to 1990). https://t.co/T75ttFS9qH

— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) September 28, 2026

Another indicator followed by political observers is sending signals about congressional control, although it measures something completely different from a poll.

Polymarket showed active prediction markets on which party would control the Senate after the midterm elections.

The platform also offered a separate market on control of the House of Representatives.

• The difference: Polymarket does not survey voters. Its percentages come from prices paid by participants who buy and sell positions on specific outcomes.

Therefore, those numbers can change continuously as new polls, news, economic information, or new bets enter the market.

Betting Odds Don’t Show How Americans Will Vote in the November Elections

Polymarket: Democrats are now favored to take back the Senate (63% probability) and the House (93% probability) in the midterm elections, the highest odds to date… https://t.co/K4jnXdA5Oh

— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) September 28, 2026

The drop in presidential approval and movements in prediction markets are occurring simultaneously, but that does not demonstrate that one indicator is causing the other.

It also does not mean that prediction-market prices determine who will ultimately control either chamber after the election.

Currently, Republicans control the Senate 53-47, while 35 Senate seats will be contested during this election cycle.

• What’s next: Voters will decide in the November elections the composition of the House and the contested Senate seats, determining the balance of power in Washington.

For Trump, the outcome will determine which Congress he will have to work with during the final two years of his term.

Current indicators describe a period of political pressure for Republicans, but it will be the votes cast and certified that ultimately determine who controls Congress.

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SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal / Polymarket