US Midterms 2026: Trump Approval Sinks To 32% As Indian American Donors Back GOP

UPDATED: Nov 3, 2026 13:19 ISTAmerica votes in pivotal 2026 midterm elections with all 435 House of Representatives seats and 35 Senate seats up for grabs. A Reuters poll shows Donald Trump's approval rating at 32 per cent, marking the lowest approval figure two years into any modern presidency amid concerns over inflation, cost of living, and the continuing Iran war. Over 43 million Americans cast early ballots, with Democrats leading party-affiliated early votes. Meanwhile, campaign finance disclosures reveal a significant divide within the Indian American diaspora. Prominent Indian American donors contributed approximately 10.8 million dollars to Republican committees, over three times the amount directed to Democratic groups. Major Republican contributors include Palantir Executive Vice President Shyam Sankar, while Democratic causes received 2.1 million dollars from venture capitalist Vinod Khosla. However, voter surveys show 66 per cent of Asian Indian respondents favour Democratic Senate candidates, underscoring a divergence between campaign financing and community voting preferences ahead of the polls. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSDia Mirza Diwali Video: Bombay HC Displeased Over Removal, Directs BMC to Restore ItThe Bombay High Court has expressed displeasure over the removal of actor Dia Mirza's pollution-free Diwali awareness video by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, asking the civic body to restore it. The civic body had taken down the video following objections and political backlash from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including MLA Amit Satam, who alleged an anti-Hindu bias. Dia Mirza had appealed to citizens to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers to safeguard the environment and public health. The High Court observed that pollution poses a severe public health hazard and urged collective efforts to tackle deteriorating air quality. NCP-SP leader Clyde Crasto defended Mirza, alleging that the BJP communalised an environmental initiative despite similar appeals made by other prominent personalities. The High Court stressed the need to prioritise air quality concerns over political controversies.Delhi Traders Urge Police Chief To Ban Festive Rallies After Claiming ₹14,000 Crore LossThe Chamber of Trade and Industry has written to the Delhi Police Commissioner demanding that no rallies, protest marches, or sit-ins be permitted until November 11, the day of Bhai Dooj. The traders' body claimed businesses in the national capital suffered losses of around 14,000 crore rupees over the past month due to frequent political rallies and demonstrations. According to the organisation, protests in October caused 3,000 crore rupees in losses, while the November 1 opposition rally at Ramlila Maidan alone accounted for an 11,000 crore rupees blow. Traders urged authorities to stop granting protest permissions near major markets, including Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, and Sadar Bazar, to prevent festive trade from being ruined.BJP Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Dual Citizenship Claims And Foreign LinksA political confrontation erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress over allegations regarding foreign links, foreign funding, and foreign trips. Union Minister Giriraj Singh attacked Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader faces accusations of dual citizenship and cannot lecture Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He further alleged that Sonia Gandhi voted for twelve years without Indian citizenship and questioned why proof regarding alleged vote theft has not been submitted to President Droupadi Murmu. Meanwhile, the BJP questioned Rahul Gandhi over alleged proximity to entities linked to George Soros and secret meetings during foreign visits, claiming such unannounced trips pose a threat to national security. In response, Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Modi to an open debate regarding foreign links, claiming the Prime Minister holds office due to foreign backing. Addressing gatherings, the Prime Minister warned against anti-India forces, secret meetings abroad, and the misuse of social media platforms to spread rumours and tarnish the nation's image.Cyclone Murasu Hits Andhra Pradesh; CM Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Post-Landfall MeasuresCyclone Murasu made landfall near Ongole along the South Andhra coast, bringing heavy rainfall, inundating low-lying areas, and causing widespread damage across districts. Following the landfall, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a teleconference with senior officials and district collectors to review the situation. Naidu directed officials to prioritise the restoration of drinking water supply, electricity, and road connectivity, while affected families were relocated to shelter homes. The storm, which is the second cyclone to strike the state within seven days, has begun weakening significantly as it moves inland towards Telangana, also impacting parts of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.