Trump’s unpopularity with independent voters gives fresh warning to Republicans ahead of midterms

Just 36 per cent happy with president's work in CNN poll as November election nears

President Donald Trump is rapidly losing favour among independent voters and has a low approval rating in general despite a strong economy, two new polls show, providing fresh warning signals for the president and the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections.

A new CNN poll found Mr Trump's approval rating at just 36 per cent and put his approval among independents at 31 per cent, a new low and a rapid drop down from 47 per cent last month.

Recent reports have suggested independents could comprise up to 30 per cent of the electorate in this year's midterms, meaning they could make or break the GOP's grip on its majority in Congress in November.

A separate poll from Quinnipiac University, also released on Monday, showed Mr Trump's approval rating at 38 per cent and found 54 per cent of American voters disapprove of the job he is doing. It also found just 36 per cent of independent voters approve of Mr Trump.

The poll did show, however, that Mr Trump's approval with his base remains strong. Overall, 84 per cent of Republicans approve of the job Mr Trump is doing, the poll found.

Strong economic growth also does not seem to be winning over new voters for Mr Trump, however.

"The economy booms, but President Donald Trump's numbers are a bust. An anaemic 38 per cent approval rating is compounded by lows on honesty, strength and intelligence," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, said in a statement.

The Quinnipiac poll found just 32 per cent of Americans feel the president is honest, which it said was his lowest grade for honesty since he was elected. In addition, Mr Trump received low grades from American voters on an array of character traits.

Mr Trump's low approval ratings nationwide come as his administration fights off allegations of chaos within his administration in Bob Woodward's new book, "Fear," as well as claims in a recent anonymous New York Times op-ed of a "quiet resistance" against the president in the White House.

Historically, midterm elections often serve as referendums on the incumbent president, which makes Mr Trump's overall unpopularity a liability for Republicans.

The midterm elections are on November 6.

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