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Poll: Democrats gain as Trump drags GOP
The gist
A New York Times/Siena poll shows Democrats leading by nearly 9 points on the generic ballot.
Trump's approval is 38 percent among likely voters with under 50 days left.
How it unfolded
- Sep 10, 2026Trump tells voters at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas to "pretend that he's on the ballot" and turn out in November, and offers $5,000 to every American if Republicans win the midterms. A University of Massachusetts Amherst national poll released the prior week found 67 percent of Democrats are "somewhat enthusiastic" to vote this fall compared to 59 percent of Republicans.
- Sep 15, 2026A New York Times/Siena University national poll finds Democrats leading by nearly 9 points on the generic congressional ballot, with Trump's approval at 38 percent among likely voters, 39 percent on the economy, 28 percent on the cost of living and 31 percent on the Iran war. House Speaker Mike Johnson says gas and diesel prices are too high due to the Strait of Hormuz and won't be resolved until after the midterms.
- recentlyA Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Trump's approval sunk to 33 percent, the lowest of his presidency, with Democrats markedly more fired up for the midterms than Republicans.