Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York believes President Donald Trump's job approval rating of slightly below 40%, according to RealClearPolitics polls, could hurt his party in midterm elections, as historically low approval ratings have negatively affected sitting presidents' parties. York notes that nominees in competitive races may see Trump's influence as a roadblock, but his ability to get attention and enthusiasm for himself and his administration could still yield surprises. The midterm elections will test the impact of Trump's agenda on his party's performance, with York noting that being "on the ballot" metaphorically has different implications than actually being on the ballot. According to York, the president's team has had success in countering Iran's nuclear ambitions through economic warfare and other means.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
President Donald Trump's job approval rating is currently below 40%, according to the RealClearPolitics average of polls. This could potentially hurt his party in the midterm elections, as historically, a sitting president's low approval rating has been correlated with poor performance by their party in these elections. Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York made this observation on Fox Business's Kudlow, suggesting that while Trump's influence may still have some impact, it could be a "roadblock" for nominees in highly competitive races.
Written for “Trump Approval Ratings Impact” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 6017 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York said President Donald Trump’s job approval rating was “not good” leading into the midterm elections, noting that historically, that has proven to negatively affect how the sitting president’s party performs.
asserted
party → say → elections
“Well, old thinking says that the president’s job approval rating is one of the best predictors of how his party is going to do in midterm elections,” York said on Fox Business’s Kudlow on Friday.
asserted
York → say → Friday
Despite Trump’s low approval ratings, the president said to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” encouraging voters to head to the polls as if he were the one up for reelection.
asserted
he → say → reelection
York said nominees in highly competitive races may see that as a roadblock; however, Trump’s influence may still pull off some surprises.
uncertain
influence → say → surprises
“You would not think that lots and lots of candidates in sort of toss-up districts would want to have him around,” York said.
asserted
York → think → him
“That’s the old thinking.
asserted
That → ’ → ?
I basically think that that’s correct.
asserted
that → think → ?
On the other hand, the president has been his best communicator, forever, and he tends to get a lot of attention and a lot of enthusiasm.”
asserted
he → tend → enthusiasm
York said the Trump administration has succeeded in destroying, at least temporarily, Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon.
asserted
administration → say → weapon
However, while the economic warfare, blockades, and bombing campaigns were “very, very powerful,” it’s still not clear whether Trump’s influence will be enough to carry Republicans over the finish line, York said.
asserted
York → ’ → line
The midterm elections will affect Trump’s ability to continue his agenda, making him “metaphorically” on the ballot, but York noted it does not have the same impact.
asserted
it → affect → impact
“There’s a difference in being on the ballot and not being on the ballot, and the fact is that the president is not going to be on the ballot,” York said.
asserted
York → ’ → ballot
