In a sobering sign for Democrats, the latest McLaughlin & Associates national survey shows Republicans holding a solid lead ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
According to the poll, 47% of likely voters say they would back a Republican candidate for Congress, compared to just 42% who would vote Democrat. That’s a +5 point advantage for the GOP.
Read all the polling data on this McLaughlin & Associates poll.
Adding to Democrat woes, President Donald Trump’s approval rating continues to climb. The survey pegs Trump at 52% approval and 43% disapproval, giving him a solid +9 net approval rating as he heads into the second half of his second term.
The numbers reflect a political environment that appears to be shifting in Republicans’ favor, with Trump’s enduring popularity offering a potential tailwind for GOP candidates across the country.
Democrat are suffering from low enthusiasm among voters and the party’s ability to counter Republican momentum. With the midterms still over a year away, these early indicators are certain to energize Republican strategists and donors, while intensifying internal debates among Democrats about the direction of their party, which has been overtaking by extremists.
Republicans already hold control of both chambers of Congress, and a +5 lead in the generic ballot suggests their majority could expand. In Alaska, two congressional seats will be on the 2026 ballot: Sen. Dan Sullivan is up for another six-year term, and first-term Congressman Nick Begich will make a case for a second two-year term in the House.
Trump’s +9 approval rating is another key metric. If these trends hold, 2026 could shape up to be another banner year for the GOP.
The good thing for Democrats. People will still choose the appearance of compassion over the hard work of success. Better to play the part then become anchored to accomplishment and accountability.
Tru dat
Interesting.
“The latest survey, conducted July 12 to 14, shows 48 percent of voters approve of Trump’s performance, while 49 percent disapprove—a net rating of -1. It marks the first time Trump has registered underwater in the firm’s polling since he reentered office.
The downward trend marks a sharp contrast to earlier in the year. In May, Big Data Poll had Trump narrowly above water at +1 (48 percent approve, 47 percent disapprove). That figure was already a notable drop from January, shortly after Trump returned to office, when the pollster recorded one of his strongest ratings: 56 percent approval and 37 percent disapproval, a net positive of +19.”
Guess it depends on which fake news you choose to believe.
Indeed. Most of the election polls last year were BS. Atlas, Trafalgar and Rasmussen were the most accurate. Never even heard of “Big Data.”
Liz, who is your “pollster”?
Unlike Suzanne YOU did not disclose your source. Was this a national poll from a reputable company or did blogger X ask 3 of his friends, two of whom voted for Bernie Sanders?
Polling is always interesting depending on weighting and sample size, so please tell every one where those numbers came from.
Trump needs to release all Epstein files and the DOJ needs to aggressively prosecute. Failure to do so will cost the GOP the midterms.
Why does he need to release the Epstein files? You heard it directly from him, it’s all a hoax. The files are fake, ginned up by Crooked Hilary and Obama. 100% fake news designed to destroy his reputation and sew discord. Donald J. Trump is an honest and innocent man who is constantly badgered by the Deep State and the Soros funded Communists/Marxists for things he’s never done. Don’t fall for it.
DJT 2028!
And if he told you the earth was flat, I suppose you’d believe that too?
The Democrat Party is DOA. Even RCV can’t save them anymore. Americans are moving forward and onward.
All Trump has to do—–Is say he was a DEMOCRAT when he went to Epstein Island.
As a pharmacist, I am making an absolute KILLING on psyche med prescription fills. All the blue haired bat wing glasses wearing fat ladies are going so psychotic with all these Trump moves. Business is booming my friends. Party at my place tonight!
President Trump is deporting Democratic voters everyday.
Best political strategy I’ve seen in my lifetime.
Well that is what Democrats get for defending foreign illegal invaders over the will of the actual citizens of the USA.
Democrats are running on the platform of “get Trump” and “orange cream man bad” instead of maybe defending USA from bad actors within their own ranks. D for disingenuous, D for downfall, D for destruction of the D party.
Woop woop!
Trump is just getting started. Look what’s he’s accomplished in 6 months. And he has 42 months remaining. Who knows? He may even get another 48 months afterwards. FDR got three terms.
Fake news! Independent voters put Trump over the top in the last election and they, including a lot of his MAGA base, are abandoning him in droves over his missteps in the Epstein scandal, Ukraine, Israel, Syria and Iran. Trump is living in an echo chamber right now and unless he breaks out of it, he and the GOP, are heading for a disaster of epic proportions in the midterms!
Apparently you’re a fan of CNN, whose “reporting” is rumor and innuendo, no documents, research or testimony. The legacy media is withering; their own base is dwindling and each network is losing tens of millions a year, possibly even more now that the money laundering has been shut down. With the advent of social media, independent journalism online and podcasts – the death knell of old style media is near.
McLaughlin is Trump’s most trusted pollster. Personally I don’t put much value in polls for the reasons you listed. But if you were interested the new york times has over 300 polls listed with the majority supporting what Liz posted. You can simply Google President Trump approval rating latest polls