CBS exit poll: Trump's approval rating is 38%, the Democratic Party secures two state seats
According to CBS News, preliminary exit polls for the 2026 U.S. midterm elections show that Trump's approval rating is at 38%, potentially setting a record low for a president in midterm elections. This figure is lower than during his first term and lower than the level of George W. Bush in 2006 when the Republicans simultaneously lost both houses of Congress. About 60% of voters indicated that Trump was a factor in their decision to vote for House representatives. This is primarily driven by Democratic voters, most of whom are voting out of opposition to Trump. Among Republican voters, only a majority of the MAGA camp indicated they were voting to support Trump, while non-MAGA Republicans mostly believe he is not a factor.In terms of the Senate elections, CBS News has predicted that Democrat Roy Cooper will win the North Carolina seat, marking the first time since Kay Hagan in 2008 that the state has elected a Democratic senator. Cooper performed better among independent voters and white women compared to Harris in 2024, with most voters believing his opponent, Republican Michael Whitley, is too supportive of Trump. Democrat Jon Ossoff was predicted to win within 40 minutes after voting ended in Georgia, defeating Republican Congressman Mike Collins. Ossoff performed strongly among Black voters, with a vote share roughly comparable to his 2021 runoff, and made breakthroughs among white voters as well. The competition between South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews is still considered too close to call.
