US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dipped to 45% – matching its lowest point during his second term – according to a survey published on Monday.
The finding comes from Morning Consult, an American business intelligence company, which publishes a weekly survey of registered voters in the US.
As per Forbes, the poll of 2,202 registered voters between Oct. 10-12 resulted in an approval rating of 45% and, conversely, a disapproval rating of 53%.
Forbes suggests that survey data from other polls may explain this shift – citing an Economist/YouGov poll conducted from Oct. 4-6 which found that 41% of respondents blamed Trump and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing US government shutdown – as opposed to just 30% who blamed Democrats in Congress.
The shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, was triggered by the failure of the US Senate to reach consensus on how to fund the government.
All but the most essential government services – such as medical care, border control, and law enforcement – consequently ceased operations.
In terms of foreign policy, Trump has enjoyed far more favorable coverage this week with Israel and Hamas’ agreement to his peace plan.
20 Israeli hostages – including a native of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, as per Ukrinform – were returned to their families from Hamas custody on Monday.
If the ceasefire in Gaza holds, it seems that Trump may turn his attention back to Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that he will meet with Trump in the US on Friday.