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By Matthew Robinson
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President Donald Trump's disapproval rating has risen to a new high in the key swing state of North Carolina, according to a new poll.
The survey by Elon University and YouGov, conducted between November 19 and December 1, revealed that 51 percent of respondents disapproved of Trump's job performance, while 35 percent approved, and 14 percent were unsure.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment by email outside of regular working hours.
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Why It Matters
North Carolina is an important swing state in presidential and congressional elections. The North Carolina State Board of Elections' data shows there are currently just over 1,200 more Democratic registered voters in the state than Republicans.
But the state has not voted for a Democrat in a presidential election since 2008, and Trump won the state in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections. The state has two Republican senators, 10 Republican and four Democratic representatives.
Trump's high disapproval rating in the state comes less than a year ahead of the crucial 2026 midterm elections, when U.S. Senate and House seats will be contested in North Carolina.
The Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress, but if the Democrats pick up even a small number of seats across the country it could sway the balance of power and prevent Trump from passing his legislative agenda.
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What To Know
The poll also revealed that among women, 31 percent approved of Trump's performance, while 54 percent disapproved. In contrast, 40 percent of men approved of Trump, while 48 percent disapproved. The poll had a margin of error of +/- 4.24 percent.
Meanwhile, only 10 percent of black respondents said they approved of Trump, while 80 percent said they disapproved. This differed substantially to the white, non-Hispanic cohort, among whom 44 percent approved of Trump and 42 percent disapproved.
Separately, the poll also revealed that the overall approval rating of North Carolina's Democratic Governor Josh Stein stood at 44 percent, while 22 percent disapproved and 34 percent were unsure.
Previous polling by Elon University revealed that Trump's approval rating has fallen throughout 2025. In a survey conducted in March, 42 percent approved of his performance, while 45 percent disapproved, a gap of just three percentage points.
Another poll in September revealed that Trump's approval rating had fallen to 39 percent, and his disapproval had climbed to 50 percent, expanding his net disapproval to 11 points.
In the poll, conducted between September 23 and October 1, 76 percent of respondents also gave the state of the national economy "C," "D" or "F" grades.
What People Are Saying
Elon University said in October: "This growing divide indicates a noticeable shift toward greater public dissatisfaction with the president's performance over the past six months."
Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll, said: "North Carolinians’ economic concerns have heightened since President Trump took office. What we’re seeing is a public that’s feeling squeezed by inflation, by tariffs and by uncertainty. When three out of four residents give the national economy a C or worse, it’s more than simple partisan reaction, it’s signal of real economic anxiety."
Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this month: "I inherited a MESS from the Biden Administration — The Worst Inflation in History, and the Highest Prices our Country has ever seen. In other words, Affordability, just 13 months ago, was a DISASTER for the American People, but now, it’s totally different! Prices are coming down FAST, Energy, Oil and Gasoline, are hitting five year lows, and the Stock Market today just hit an All Time High. Tariffs are bringing in Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we are respected as a Nation again. When will I get credit for having created, with No Inflation, perhaps the Greatest Economy in the History of our Country? When will people understand what is happening? When will Polls reflect the Greatness of America at this point in time, and how bad it was just one year ago?"
What Happens Next
North Carolina voters will head to the polls for the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3.
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