New Polls Show Trump at 50% or Higher Approval as GOP Narrows Generic Ballot Gap

Recent surveys indicate improved standing for President Donald Trump and a tightening congressional preference margin ahead of midterms.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Two polls released within the past week show President Donald Trump with job approval at or above 50 percent, while separate surveys indicate Republicans gaining ground on the generic congressional ballot.

A Trafalgar survey of 1,084 likely voters released Thursday found Trump with a 51 percent approval rating and 48 percent disapproval. Five days later, a Harvard-Harris poll of likely voters, available here, showed Trump at 50 percent approval and 47 percent disapproval. Among registered voters in that same survey, Trump recorded 46 percent approval and 49 percent disapproval.

Both polls were conducted entirely after the president’s State of the Union address last Tuesday.

The Harvard-Harris poll also showed the generic congressional ballot tied at 50 percent between Democrats and Republicans. In the prior month’s iteration of the same survey, Democrats led 52 percent to 48 percent, as reflected in polling averages compiled here.

An Economist/YouGov survey also reflected movement toward Republicans. A seven-point Democratic lead last month, 47 percent to 40 percent, narrowed to a four-point advantage, 45 percent to 41 percent.

According to the RealClearPolitics generic ballot average, available here, Democrats currently lead by 4.4 points, 47.2 percent to 42.8 percent. Before the State of the Union address, that average stood at a 5.2-point Democratic advantage.

RealClearPolitics’ job approval average for Trump shows 43.2 percent approve and 54.5 percent disapprove, an 11.3-point gap. Prior to the State of the Union, Trump’s average was 42.2 percent approval and 55.8 percent disapproval, a 13.5-point gap.

None of the polling referenced reflects public reaction to the weekend bombing of Iran.

The recent movement represents modest shifts within typical polling margins. Analysts note that fluctuations often occur in the aftermath of major national addresses and political events.

With eight months remaining before the midterm elections, polling dynamics remain fluid. Historical trends suggest that voter sentiment can shift multiple times before ballots are cast, particularly amid evolving domestic and international developments.