Trump approval rating hits 33 percent amid midterm cycle
Trump's approval rating stands at 33 percent heading into the 2026 midterms.
Event / Politics
US Midterm Election 2026
Coverage of the 2026 US midterm elections including Senate races, House contests, and state-level campaigns across multiple states including Texas and Georgia, along with related policy issues affecting voters.
13 reported locations
Daily activity
38 articles2 articles
2026-09-10 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Sept, 02:31 UTC
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What happened
Federal judge blocks Trump from excluding news organizations from White House coverage
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly ruled that Trump cannot bar news organizations from covering him at the White House based on dislike of their coverage, at least until a formal trial concludes. The judge found that Trump's decision to exclude more than 70 journalists from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico violated their free speech and due process rights as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights.
Russian missile strikes kill more than 20 people in Ukrainian apartment building
Russian missile strikes targeted a Ukrainian apartment building in Pryluky, killing more than 20 people. Zelenskyy visited a wounded girl in the hospital whose father died in the attack. The girl was unaware of her father's death at the time of the visit.
Russia continues targeting Ukrainian power plant despite ceasefire agreement proposal
Two hours after Trump announced a proposed agreement between Russia and Ukraine to halt strikes on energy sites, Russia targeted a Ukrainian power plant. Strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have continued following this incident. Zelenskyy stated he would comply with a halt to strikes if Russia did the same.
Federal judge halts Trump administration tree-cutting at East Potomac Golf Links
A federal judge temporarily stopped the Trump administration from cutting more trees at East Potomac Golf Links after it had cut down hundreds of trees with little notice.
Trump administration lifts sanctions on Russian diesel
The Trump administration lifted sanctions on Russian diesel. Zelenskyy disputed the administration's claim that this action would lower fuel prices, instead pointing to the war in Iran as the cause of price spikes rather than Ukraine's military actions.
Ground beef prices in Texas reach record high of $7 per pound
Ground beef prices in Texas hit a record high of approximately $7 per pound in August 2026, representing an increase of around $1.50 from prices when Trump returned to office. The cost of living remains a major concern for Texas voters ahead of the midterm elections.
2026 midterm elections to shape final two years of Trump's second term
The results of the 2026 midterm elections will determine the balance of power in Congress for the final two years of President Trump's second term and serve as a precursor to the 2028 general election. NPR is reporting from six states that could change the political balance in Washington.
Trump administration threatens to cut intelligence sharing with Ukraine over drone strikes
In an interview with NPR, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Trump administration warned it could cut intelligence-sharing with Ukraine unless Ukrainian forces halt long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy emphasized that every piece of intelligence is crucial for Ukraine, particularly for stopping ballistic missiles. This threat comes as Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches its five-year mark.
Trump ousts Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece
President Trump forced out Kimberly Guilfoyle from her position as ambassador to Greece after facing unflattering allegations that she was attempting to profit from her position. The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle asked a Trump donor for $100,000 to settle a credit card bill while promising to use her connections within the administration. Trump called for her resignation citing unfavorable media coverage, though he had not spoken to her before she announced her departure on X.
Pope Leo XIV diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma after surgery
Pope Leo XIV, age 71, underwent a 90-minute surgical procedure at Gemelli Hospital in Rome on October 13 to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. The nodule removed was less than three centimeters. Doctors stated the operation was successful with no complications. The Pope remained responsive and in good spirits following surgery.
Vice President JD Vance holds campaign meet-and-greet at Atlanta airport
Vice President JD Vance held a meet-and-greet event at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Wednesday at 10:40 a.m. The event took place during early voting period for the 2026 midterm election in Georgia.
President Trump campaigns in Bullhead City, Arizona ahead of midterm elections
President Donald Trump delivered remarks at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, as part of his campaign activities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as Ambassador to Greece
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned from her position as Ambassador to Greece.
Early voting begins for 2026 midterm election in Georgia
Early voting for the 2026 midterm election began on Tuesday in Georgia, allowing voters to cast ballots before election day.
President Trump scheduled to campaign in Dalton, Georgia
President Donald Trump was scheduled to hold a campaign event in Dalton, Georgia on Friday as part of his midterm election campaign activities.
Trump holds campaign rally in Ohio
President Trump held a campaign rally in Vandalia, Ohio to galvanize Republican supporters. The event lasted 90 minutes and was held in a high school gymnasium that was packed, though attendance declined partway through the speech.
Trump campaigns in Nebraska
President Trump held a campaign speech in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he urged supporters to treat his involvement in the campaign as if he were on the ballot.
Supreme Court removes limits on political party spending in coordination with candidates
In June 2026, the Supreme Court erased limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president, marking the first national election under these new rules.
MAGA Inc. spends $22 million on Texas Senate race in single month
MAGA Inc. spent more than $22 million on advertising in Texas during September, focusing on Republican Ken Paxton's Senate campaign despite Texas not electing a Democratic senator since 1988.
Trump-aligned group pays significantly higher advertising rates in final campaign stretch
MAGA Inc. began stepping up spending on critical races in September after reserving less advertising time earlier in the year. Trump-connected organizations are paying more than five times the rates that groups reserving time in spring paid, sometimes exceeding $894 per airing on streaming services.
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2 alternative perspectives
GOP hosts first midterm convention in Dallas with 20,000-30,000 attendees
GOP holds inaugural midterm convention in Dallas with 20,000-30,000 attendees and notable Republican absences.