Here’s what was discovered.
President Donald Trump is facing new political headwinds after a national poll found his approval rating has declined, particularly among younger Americans, as attention increasingly turns toward the 2026 midterm elections.
The latest survey from Echelon Insights suggests Trump’s support has weakened over the past year, with the sharpest decline coming among voters between the ages of 18 and 34. Political analysts say younger voters could once again play a major role in determining control of Congress in next year’s elections.
New Poll Shows Declining Approval
According to the July 2026 Echelon Insights survey, Trump’s overall job approval stands at 38 percent, while 61 percent of respondents disapprove of his performance.
Among voters ages 18 to 34, approval is even lower:
- 35% approve
- 65% disapprove
The survey questioned 1,004 likely voters between July 9 and July 13, 2026, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.
Based on those results, Trump’s net approval rating is minus 23 points overall and minus 30 points among younger voters.
White House Defends President’s Record
The White House rejected suggestions that the polling reflects the administration’s long-term political standing.
In comments provided to Newsweek, spokesman Davis Ingle said President Trump has delivered “historic progress” through policies focused on job creation, inflation, housing affordability, and other economic priorities.
Administration officials also argue that many of the president’s initiatives are still being implemented and that voters will see additional results in the coming months.
Support Has Fallen Over The Past Year
The latest survey shows a noticeable shift compared with polling conducted one year earlier.
In July 2025, Echelon Insights found:
- Overall approval: 45% approve, 53% disapprove
- Ages 18-34: 40% approve, 56% disapprove
Compared with those numbers, Trump’s net approval has declined by 15 points overall and 14 points among younger adults.
Bigger Change Since Beginning Of Second Term
Trump began his second term with stronger approval ratings.
A January 2025 Echelon Insights survey found:
- Overall voters: 51% approve, 43% disapprove
- Ages 18-34: 50% approve, 43% disapprove
Since then, the president’s net approval has shifted from positive territory to negative territory, including a 37-point swing among younger voters.
While approval ratings often fluctuate throughout a presidency, polling trends are expected to receive increased attention as the 2026 campaign season ramps up.
Why Younger Voters Matter
Voters under 35 continue to represent one of the nation’s most closely watched voting blocs.
Turnout among younger Americans reached historically high levels during the 2024 election, making the demographic increasingly influential in competitive House and Senate races.
Although Democrats have generally performed better with younger voters in recent election cycles, Republicans made gains with some younger voting groups in 2024. Whether those gains can be maintained will likely be an important question heading into the midterm elections.
Surveys also continue to show that younger Americans rank inflation, housing costs, wages, and the overall cost of living among their top concerns.
What It Could Mean For 2026
Public opinion can change significantly before Election Day, and future developments—including economic conditions, legislative action, and campaign messaging—could all influence voter sentiment.
For now, the latest polling indicates that younger voters remain one of the most important groups to watch as both parties prepare for what is expected to be a highly competitive battle for control of Congress in 2026.