NBC News Poll Summary – October 2025
A new NBC News poll finds that about two-thirds of voters say President Trump has fallen short of their expectations on the economy and cost of living. 55% disapprove of his job performance, and 43% approve—a 4-point drop since March.
Democrats lead Republicans 50%-42% on the 2026 congressional ballot, their largest advantage since 2018, as voters largely blame Trump and GOP lawmakers for the ongoing government shutdown (52%). However, both parties remain unpopular: only 28% view Democrats positively and 37% view Republicans positively.
Key issues:
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Protecting democracy and constitutional rights now rank alongside the economy as top voter concerns.
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52% say Trump has undermined the Constitution more than protected it.
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On the economy, about two-thirds say Trump has not met expectations on the cost of living, middle-class support, and economic performance.
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Republicans hold strong leads on border security (+31), crime (+22), and immigration (+18), while Democrats lead on protecting democracy (+11), constitutional rights (+8), and health care (+23).
Voter enthusiasm is high: 66% say they are highly interested in the 2026 midterms, with Democrats showing a 7-point enthusiasm edge over Republicans.
On immigration, 51% say Trump has met expectations, though 54% believe his deployment of federal agents to cities is unjustified. Views of ICE are mostly negative (50% unfavorable, 39% favorable).
Foreign policy: Voters are divided on Trump’s handling of the Gaza conflict (47% approve, 48% disapprove), but remain pessimistic about peace—69% say Israelis and Palestinians are unlikely to reach a lasting agreement.
Overall, the poll shows a frustrated electorate: voters are unhappy with the economy and government gridlock, skeptical of both parties, but deeply engaged ahead of the 2026 elections.