President Donald Trump was scheduled to rally in Corpus Christi and Lubbock on Tuesday, one week before the Nov. 3 midterms, as polls reported by The Independent showed his overall approval at 31% and 34%.
The Independent said the first event was set for 3 p.m. ET in Corpus Christi and the second for 7 p.m. ET in Lubbock. It also described Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, as facing a close Senate contest with Democrat James Talarico.
According to The Independent, an Oct. 19 Reuters-Ipsos poll put Trump's approval at 31%, the lowest across his two terms. The outlet reported a 34% result from a New York Times/Siena College poll released that week. The New York Times called the latter figure the lowest for a president nearing midterm elections since Harry Truman's 33% in 1946, The Independent reported. EconoTimes previously covered Trump's 31% rating and the 1946 midterms.
Trump dismissed the polling as “fake” and said his approval was about 60%, The Independent reported. The outlet said polling on the Republican Party also pointed to possible losses, as voters expressed frustration over living costs and the Iran war. At a Georgia campaign event, Trump answered concerns about gasoline prices by telling supporters, “We’re making a freaking fortune.” The Independent also reported that he defended the war by arguing a nuclear-armed Iran could “take out” U.S. cities.
The Independent said some rally episodes prompted online discussion of Trump's health. Its account cited his apparent difficulty recalling Lake Ontario, errors involving award names and investment figures, and remarks about Ohio Sen. John Husted and rapper Nicki Minaj. The outlet reported the White House's response that Trump was in “excellent health.”
Voters are due to choose members of Congress on Nov. 3.
