Trump approval stays low as Hispanic voters turn to Democrats ahead of midterms

US President Donald Trump's political coalition is showing signs of strain ahead of next month's midterm elections, with his approval rating at a career low and Hispanic voters increasingly turning away from Republicans.A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday found that 32 per cent of Americans approved of Trump's performance, unchanged from September, when his rating fell to the lowest level of his political career.The findings point to a difficult political landscape for Republicans less than a month before voters decide control of both chambers of Congress. HISPANIC SUPPORT FOR TRUMP FADESThe shift among Hispanic voters could be particularly significant for Republicans. Trump made major gains with Hispanic voters in the 2024 presidential election, winning nearly half of their vote, compared with roughly one-third in 2020.That support has weakened during his second term. Only 24 per cent of Hispanic Americans now approve of Trump's performance in the White House, according to the poll. That is the lowest approval level recorded among Hispanic voters during either of his two terms.This comes as Americans grapple with rising living costs and inflation. The poll found the cost of living was the single biggest issue influencing voters as they consider their choices for November.DEMOCRATS HOLD LEAD AHEAD OF MIDTERMSTrump's weak approval numbers appear to be weighing on Republican support among registered voters.Overall, Democrats held a 44-37 per cent advantage over Republicans when voters were asked which party they intended to support in the congressional elections.The gap was wider among independents. Democrats led Republicans 37 to 21 per cent, although 28 per cent of independent voters remained undecided. Hispanic voters showed an even clearer preference for Democrats. Just 26 per cent said they planned to vote Republican, while 52 per cent backed Democratic candidates.That 26-point Democratic advantage represents the largest lead for the party among Hispanic voters since Trump returned to the White House, according to the poll. The elections on November 3 will determine which party controls the House of Representatives and Senate for the final two years of Trump's current term.REPUBLICANS FACE WARNING SIGNSThe numbers offer several warning signs for Republicans as they prepare for a potentially difficult midterm campaign.Democrats have long hoped to regain control of the House, while the Senate -- traditionally harder for the party to flip -- is also becoming more competitive. Republicans have also seen their advantage among older voters shrink significantly.Voters aged 50 and above favoured Republican candidates by just two percentage points, 44% to 42 per cent. In December, Republicans held an eight-point advantage among the same age group.That matters because older Americans have historically made up a substantial share of the electorate in midterm elections. Among voters under 50, Democrats held an 18-point advantage.COST OF LIVING EMERGES AS KEY ISSUEEconomic pressure is emerging as one of the biggest challenges for Trump and his party.The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that the cost of living ranked as the top concern for voters as they weighed their choices. Rising fuel prices and broader inflation have added to pressure on household budgets. The poll linked the latest inflation pressures to a surge in gasoline and diesel prices following the war with Iran launched by Trump in February.For Hispanic voters, who played a crucial role in Trump's 2024 victory, the latest numbers suggest that the coalition that helped return him to office is showing signs of strain.The poll was conducted online across the United States over six days and surveyed 4,506 adults.- Ends