Donald Trump approval ratings crash in 39 states ahead of November 3 US Midterm elections, energy, gasoline prices add to worry. Can Social Security Cost of Living-Cola Payment save it for Republicans?

Donald Trump approval ratings are in negative zone in 39 states, including politically crucial states of Texas, Ohio, Iowa, and Alaska ahead of November 3 US midterm elections. However, the Republican President is getting positive approval ratings in states such as North Dakota, Wyoming, and West Virginia, according to a survey.

Donald Trump Approval Ratings

In Texas, Trump has an approval rating of minus 20, in Iowa minus 21, in Ohio minus 18, and in Alaska minus 16, Newsweek reported quoting Civiqs' rolling online tracker polls survey.


The survey also revealed that the approval rating for President Trump in some states was sliding to negative from the positive that is recorder earlier in 2026.

However, a few states are offering comfort to President Trump who is facing multiple questions over handling economy, geo-political issues including Iran war. President Trump has plus 14 ratings in Wyoming, plus 11 ratings in North Dakota, and plus 10 in West Virginia.

Republicans are retreating from a handful of battleground U.S. House races, while Democrats are racing to raise money to boost candidates who seemed like long shots earlier this year. The strategy in the final three weeks of midterm campaigns points to an increasingly defensive posture by Republicans, who have already trimmed their expectations in U.S. Senate races, and new aggression from Democrats, who are trying to capitalize on President Donald Trump’s weak approval ratings, Associated Press reported.

Energy, Gasoline Prices in USA

Department of Labor on Wednesday released data that shows the consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.7 percent year-on-year in September, more than the 3.6 percent analysts forecast according to MarketWatch. This was a notable acceleration from 3.4 percent in August, in one of the last major economic reports before the November 3 vote.

Inflation picked up pace on a month-on-month basis too, accelerating from 0.4 percent in August to 0.6 percent last month. Gasoline costs accounted for more than half of the jump, surging 9.1 percent on a monthly basis, Wednesday's report said.

Energy prices have jumped since the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February, prompting Tehran to block off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas shipments.

Average prices at US gasoline pumps have surged more than 45 percent since the Middle East war to $4.33 per gallon, according to AAA motor club data. Diesel prices have surged even more, by 67.7 percent, boosting the cost of transporting goods and threatening further spillovers to consumers.

Social Security Cola Payment

The Social Security Administration projected Wednesday that the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will go up by 3.6 per cent beginning in 2027. Some recipients are already complaining it’s not enough to offset soaring prices.

The adjustment translates to $75 extra per month for the 73 million people who receive monthly Social Security benefits and nearly 7.5 million beneficiaries who get Supplemental Security Income.

The cost-of-living adjustment is financed by payroll taxes collected from workers and their employers, up to a certain annual salary. The cap is set to increase to $192,300 in 2027, from $184,500 in 2026.