Trump Ramps Up Midterm Campaigning as Approval Ratings Hit Record Lows

• by Shimanta Das
• October 6, 2026

President Donald Trump is intensifying his midterm campaigning despite record-low approval ratings that show him underwater in 39 states and every major battleground state, according to Civiqs’ rolling tracking poll of registered voters as of September 28. With Republicans holding a slim House majority of 219 to 213, Trump has positioned himself as the unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator for the GOP, committed to maintaining Republican majorities in Congress. During a September appearance in Dallas, he urged supporters to “pretend” he was on the ballot, underscoring his central role in the midterm strategy even though he himself is not up for election.

The midterm elections could alter the rest of Trump’s presidency and reshape how the administration proceeds with its legislative priorities if Republicans lose their majority in either chamber. Trump advisers have privately acknowledged that there’s little expectation he can win over large numbers of independents and swing voters, which was part of his path to victory in critical states in 2024. Nevertheless, Trump remains the key figure in the Republican midterm strategy, aiming to defend the party’s majorities in both chambers of Congress, as well as key state and local offices.

Meanwhile, foreign policy challenges persist. Both sides have declared victory in a recent conflict, though a ceasefire remains elusive. The war resulted in Iran stopping commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the global fuel trade. As Trump ramps up campaigning, the stakes for his presidency and the Republican Party could not be higher.