January 1, Polls Hint at Midterm Trouble for GOP

Wyatt’s Take

• New poll gives Democrats slight edge for 2026 midterms
• Trump’s approval sinks below water, economic disapproval rising
• Republicans pushed back on predictions of a ‘wipeout’

James Carville is sounding the alarm for Republicans, predicting a big loss for them in 2026. But GOP voices like Cassie Smedile say the movement is strong and not backing down.

A new poll shows Democrats slightly ahead if the election were held now—48% would pick a Democrat, while 43% say Republican. Many folks aren’t happy with how President Trump is handling things, with 47% saying they “strongly disapprove.”

The survey, with over 1,600 voters, also found more than half think Trump’s policies have made daily life costlier. Nearly half say the country’s worse off than last year, while only about a third think it’s getting better.

Trump’s approval keeps slipping. New numbers show him at an average of 42%, with 55% unhappy with his job. He began his second term with strong numbers, but those have dropped as months go by.

Republican voters are still mostly standing by Trump. Four in five GOP voters feel the country is headed the right way, according to the poll. Republicans’ wins in 2024 were driven by concerns over inflation, helping them take back power in Washington.

Democrats, though, are celebrating wins from last year, saying their focus on affordability helped them at the polls. But with inflation sticking around, both sides are bracing for a fight in 2026.

Trump’s ratings on the economy and border security are falling, too. A recent incident involving immigration enforcement has brought attention back to the border, putting pressure on the president’s handling of that issue.

Full story at Fox News

Wyatt Matters

The kitchen table issues aren’t just headlines—they decide hope and hard times for families across the heartland. Folks in the middle of America want leaders who fight for affordability, safety, and honest work. As these polls show, regular people are fed up with empty promises and rising costs. The real story will be written by voters, not pollsters.