Voter Sentiment as Midterm Elections Approach

With the midterm elections just a few months away, there seems to be a growing dissatisfaction among voters regarding their financial situation. A recent Fox News poll reveals that only 12% of respondents feel they’re making economic progress. Most participants view the economy negatively, with more than half believing that President Trump’s policies primarily benefit the wealthy.

The poll indicates a significant decline in the president’s approval rating since last year. Currently, about 59% of voters express pessimism about economic conditions, a slight increase from 55% last June. This contrasts sharply with the more optimistic sentiment during Trump’s first term in 2019, when 57% of voters felt encouraged about the economy.

Approximately 44% of respondents report feeling economically behind, marking an 8-point decrease from last year and a slight rise from June 2024. Only about one in four voters—26%—view the economy favorably, which, while a slight improvement from last month, is still lower than the 31% recorded in June of the previous year. A large majority, around 73%, consistently rates the economy negatively.

In terms of overall satisfaction with the country’s direction, 37% of voters are content, a figure that hasn’t changed much since March but represents a decline from 44% in July of last year. Despite this drop, current satisfaction levels are higher than they were during much of Biden’s presidency.

Trump’s approval stands at 39%, a reflection of the overall sentiment towards his performance. This figure hasn’t shifted from last month but is down by 7 points compared to 46% last June. The lowest approval rating during his tenure was 38% in October 2017.

While 20% believe Trump’s economic policies will benefit everyone, a larger share, 54%, asserts that those policies are mainly advantageous for wealthier individuals, with 15% saying they help “nobody.” The belief that these policies will improve conditions for everyone has declined from 31% in 2019 under Trump, 27% in 2023 under Biden, and 23% during Obama’s administration in 2015.

Party affiliation plays a significant role in these sentiments. Among Republicans, 42% feel that Trump’s policies are helping everyone, whereas half say they are financially secure and 50% view the economic situation positively, with 66% expressing optimism. Conversely, Democrats are far more negative, with 81% feeling pessimistic and 91% rating the economy poorly. More than half of Democrats identify the economy as failing to progress, while 71% think the president’s policies will aid financial management.

The president’s approval ratings are notably low among key demographics. Support from men (43%), white voters (44%), and white evangelical Christians (61%) just barely meets record lows. Among white men with a college degree, approval is at 50%, slightly above historical lows.

Interestingly, only 23% approve of Trump’s handling of gas prices, reflecting a rare moment where dissatisfaction crosses party lines, with 95% of Democrats, 88% of independents, and 53% of Republicans disapproving of his management.

Regarding the broader economy, 31% approve of Trump’s efforts, showing a slight recovery from a low of 29% in May, although this is down from 40% a year ago. Most Republicans express support, while Democrats and independents remain largely opposed.

In terms of immigration policy, approval has dropped to 43%, marking the lowest point in Trump’s second term. The challenge appears to stem from the belief that 51% feel his immigration enforcement measures have been excessive. Public opinion about local versus federal enforcement has also shifted; currently, 53% favor local authorities managing immigration, while 46% think collaboration with ICE is essential. Just a year ago, most supported working with ICE.

Trust in Government

Trust in the federal government stands at a low 25%, dipping from 32% in both 2025 and 2024. In contrast, a peak of 54% trust was seen in 2002, but numbers have not exceeded 40% since 2012.

During Biden’s final year, a significant 44% of Democrats expressed distrust in the government, escalating to 83% this year. Among Republicans, distrust has reached 63%, up from 48% last summer, but down from a troubling 85% two years ago. Currently, 57% of MAGA Republicans and 73% of non-MAGA Republicans voice their distrust.

Distrust among independents appears stable, maintaining around 80% in recent years. About 60% of voters believe the government is lagging in addressing fraud in federal programs, with 66% deeming recent measures ineffective.

Both parties agree that the government should enhance its efforts against fraud; however, opinions differ regarding its performance. Most Republicans (56%) see these efforts as effective, while a significant 83% of Democrats disagree. Independents are the least forgiving, with 67% believing inadequate measures have been taken and 78% asserting those in place have been ineffective.