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US President Donald Trump and the Republican Party suffered setbacks in the 2026 midterm elections amid growing voter dissatisfaction over rising living costs, economic policies and concerns about government corruption, according to a new Associated Press voter poll.
As reported by the Economic Times on Wednesday, the survey, conducted among voters across all 50 states, found that many Americans were increasingly frustrated with Trump, whose failure to fulfil key campaign promises, particularly his pledge to reduce inflation, reportedly contributed to the Republicans’ poor performance.
The findings suggested that voters believed Trump was more concerned about his personal interests and wealth than addressing the economic challenges facing ordinary Americans.
Rising inflation emerged as one of the major issues influencing voting decisions, with many voters expressing concern about the increasing cost of groceries, healthcare, fuel and other essential expenses.
In Texas, about two in 10 voters said inflation had caused severe financial hardship for their families. Approximately three-quarters of this group supported Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
Another six in 10 voters reported moderate financial hardship, with Talarico also winning majority support among them.
A similar pattern was recorded across several states, as voters who expressed serious concerns about everyday expenses largely supported Democratic candidates in their local US House elections.
The poll also found that voters blamed Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and the failure to deliver on his campaign promise to reduce prices, for worsening economic conditions.
About two-thirds of voters nationwide said Trump’s policies had made the economy worse, while approximately eight in 10 of those voters supported Democratic candidates.
The poll further revealed that government corruption was a major concern for voters, with more than half describing it as crucial to their decision at the polls.
The issue appeared to have overshadowed the cost of living, despite approximately six in 10 voters saying they were very concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries.
Many voters also expressed concerns about Trump’s personal financial interests, including his cryptocurrency ventures, family business dealings and efforts to secure donations from major companies for the construction of a new White House ballroom.
Overall, about two-thirds of voters said Trump did not have the right priorities, with the overwhelming majority of those voters supporting Democratic candidates in House elections.
Another factor identified by the poll was Trump’s influence over Republican candidate selection.
The president endorsed several candidates whose experience, character and close association with him became major issues during their campaigns.
In Texas, Trump backed Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn during the Republican primary. However, about two-thirds of voters in the Senate election said Paxton lacked the character required to serve in the Senate.
In North Carolina, approximately six in 10 voters considered Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley too supportive of Trump, contributing to support for Democratic candidate Roy Cooper.
Trump suggested in an interview with Fox News Channel on Tuesday evening that some Republican candidates struggled because the party’s base did not particularly like his endorsements.
The survey also highlighted widespread concerns about the balance of power in Washington.
About seven in 10 voters said Congress was not doing enough to provide checks and balances on the president, including approximately four in 10 Republicans.
The findings indicated that voters wanted lawmakers to exercise stronger oversight of the executive branch.
“The president’s failure to deliver on key promises, most prominently, his vows to tame inflation, which has worsened instead, clearly weighed on his fellow Republicans in Tuesday’s midterm elections for the House and the Senate.
“The polling shows that voters generally saw Trump as being more focused on his own fortune and gold-leafed existence than their needs,” the survey added.
Despite the Democratic Party’s gains in both chambers of Congress, the poll cautioned that the results did not represent overwhelming support for Democrats.
Only about half of voters expressed a favourable opinion of the Democratic Party, compared with approximately four in 10 who viewed the Republican Party positively.
The findings suggested that many voters were dissatisfied with both political parties but turned to Democratic candidates as an alternative to the Republican leadership.
The AP Voter Poll was conducted by SSRS in partnership with major US media organisations, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media and NBC News. Interviews with registered voters across the 50 states took place between October 19 and November 3, 2026.
The findings point to inflation, concerns about corruption, dissatisfaction with Trump’s priorities and controversial Republican endorsements as major factors behind the party’s losses in the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats have won control of both chambers of the United States Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, in a major setback to President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.
Pascal Arogorn Ibe
