Polls show 67% of voters say Trump worsened economy ahead of midterms
With two-thirds of the public citing economic damage, the president faces a potential loss of congressional control that could trigger new investigations.
By Rosa Fuentes ·
Donald Trump enters the final two years of his presidency facing a electorate that views his economic record with skepticism. If Republicans lose their majority in Congress during Tuesday's midterm elections, the remaining term is likely to be dominated by Democratic-led probes into his administration and personal business.
The AP Voter Poll provides the baseline for this political reality. Approximately two-thirds of voters nationally believe Trump's policies have worsened economic conditions in the United States. Only about 30% of respondents say those policies have improved the situation. A similar share of voters, around two-thirds, state that the president's tariff policies have hurt the national economy or their local area.
Opinions on Trump's leadership capabilities follow the same negative trend. More than half of voters characterize him as a weak leader who does not fight for people like them. About 60% of respondents say Trump prioritizes his own personal interests over the country's, while roughly 40% claim he weights the country's interests more heavily.
Trump has made these midterm elections a personal referendum by repeatedly urging voters to pretend he is on the ballot. This strategy aimed to energize his base. Senator Andy Kim, D-N.J., who campaigned in Iowa, Georgia, and Texas this fall, noted the effect of this tactic. "Trump’s desire to have everyone think that he’s on the ballot? Like, it’s happening," Kim said. "Everyone is thinking about him and the harm that he has done to them directly."
If Democrats seize power in at least one chamber of Congress, they gain the subpoena powers, committee control, and staff resources needed to force accountability. Senior Democrats have already outlined their targets. These include the administration's immigration policies, its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, and corporate corruption involving the Trump family.
Representative Robert Garcia of California, who would lead the House Oversight Committee if Democrats win the House, has made these priorities explicit. He recently visited an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in southern California to outline a plan to demand accountability for ICE tactics. His agenda also covers the administration's conduct and its interactions with private corporations seeking influence.
Trump has braced for these investigations, comparing them to the probes he faced during his first term. He told a crowd in Oklahoma that if Democrats gain power, they could impeach him again. "I’ve become very good at beating them in impeachment," Trump said. He has also hinted that a Democratic majority would face a "strong veto" from the White House.
Democratic leaders are weighing whether to pursue a third impeachment of the president or target top cabinet members. House Speaker candidate Hakeem Jeffries has signaled an interest in going after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. "I’m here to say, one of the first things we’re going to do in the majority, we’re going to run Pete Hegseth out of town," Jeffries said at an October rally.
Trump's campaign strategy in the final weeks involved marathon rallies in conservative states and a promise to send $5,000 to every adult if his party wins. He held a two-day Republican convention in Dallas and delivered a closing speech at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. In that speech, he focused on the beautification of Washington, D.C., stating, "So, we have a lot of great things planned for Washington, and I could get into the nation. But for that, you don't have enough time."
