Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low as Iran War and Inflation Fuel Voter Discontent
LONDON — U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to its lowest point since his return to the White House in 2025, driven by widespread dissatisfaction over his handling of the ongoing war with Iran and soaring cost-of-living pressures, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Tuesday. The survey, conducted between April 24 and 27, reveals that only 34% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump’s overall performance—a sharp decline that underscores the growing unease among voters as the November midterm elections approach.
The poll highlights two dominant concerns shaping public opinion: the unpopular war with Iran, which has disrupted global energy markets and fueled inflation and the president’s perceived failure to address the economic struggles of ordinary Americans. Only 22% of respondents expressed approval of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, a figure that reflects deepening frustration over rising prices for essentials like fuel, food, and housing. The findings arrive at a critical juncture for Trump’s Republican Party, which faces an uphill battle to retain control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the upcoming elections.
Jonathan Reed, Editor of News at World Today Journal, notes that the poll’s results are particularly striking given Trump’s historically resilient support among Republican voters. “Although Trump continues to enjoy near-unanimous backing from GOP lawmakers in Congress, the war with Iran has fractured his base in ways that could have lasting political consequences,” Reed said. “The conflict’s economic fallout—particularly the spike in energy prices—has made it a liability even among his most loyal supporters.”
The Iran War’s Economic Toll
The war with Iran, which escalated in late 2025 after Tehran imposed a blockade on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, has had far-reaching economic repercussions. The strait, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, has seen reduced traffic, leading to a surge in energy prices worldwide. In the U.S., the conflict has exacerbated inflationary pressures, with consumer prices rising at their fastest pace in decades. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers increased by 6.8% over the past 12 months, the highest annual rate since the early 1980s.
The economic strain has been felt acutely by American households. A separate poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in April 2026 found that only 28% of Americans approve of Trump’s management of the economy, down from 35% in January. The survey also revealed that 62% of respondents believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, with economic concerns cited as the primary reason for their pessimism.
Trump has sought to deflect blame for the economic turmoil, arguing that the war with Iran and global supply chain disruptions are beyond his control. In a recent speech, he claimed that Iran was “on the brink of collapse” and that the U.S. Would “prevail decisively” in the conflict. However, his rhetoric has done little to assuage voter concerns. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 32% of respondents approve of his handling of the war, a figure that includes just 54% of Republicans—a significant drop from the near-unanimous support he enjoyed earlier in his term.
Partisan Divides and Midterm Implications
The poll’s findings underscore the challenges facing Trump’s Republican Party as it seeks to maintain its grip on Congress. Historically, midterm elections have served as a referendum on the sitting president’s performance, and Trump’s low approval ratings could energize Democratic voters while dampening enthusiasm among Republicans. The Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 58% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s overall job performance, with 45% expressing strong disapproval.
While Trump remains popular among his core supporters, the poll reveals cracks in his coalition. Among Republicans, 78% still approve of his performance, but this figure represents a decline from the 85% approval he enjoyed in early 2025. The drop is even more pronounced among independent voters, with only 25% expressing approval—a 10-point decline from the previous quarter. Among Democrats, approval stands at just 8%, unchanged from earlier polls.
The war with Iran has emerged as a particularly divisive issue within the Republican Party. While some GOP lawmakers have rallied behind Trump’s hardline stance, others have voiced concerns about the conflict’s economic and geopolitical consequences. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a frequent critic of military intervention, has called for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, arguing that the war is “unsustainable” and “detrimental to American interests.” His stance reflects a broader unease among libertarian-leaning Republicans, who have long been skeptical of foreign entanglements.
On the Democratic side, lawmakers have seized on Trump’s low approval ratings as an opportunity to galvanize their base. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has framed the midterms as a chance to “hold the president accountable” for his handling of the economy and the war. “The American people are suffering, and they deserve better,” Schumer said in a recent statement. “This election is about whether we continue down the path of chaos and division or chart a new course toward stability and prosperity.”
Inflation and the Cost of Living Crisis
The cost of living has emerged as the top concern for voters in the Reuters/Ipsos poll, with 72% of respondents citing it as a “very essential” issue. The war with Iran has played a central role in driving up prices, particularly for energy and food. Gasoline prices, for example, have surged by more than 40% since the start of the conflict, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline now stands at $4.89, up from $3.42 a year ago.
The inflationary pressures have been compounded by supply chain disruptions and labor shortages, which have driven up the cost of goods and services across the board. Wages, meanwhile, have failed to keep pace with rising prices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, real average hourly earnings for all employees declined by 2.3% over the past year, eroding the purchasing power of American workers.
Trump has sought to address the economic crisis through a mix of fiscal and monetary policies, including tax cuts for businesses and pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. However, his efforts have been met with skepticism from economists, who argue that the administration’s policies have done little to address the root causes of inflation. “The president’s approach has been reactive rather than proactive,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “Tax cuts and deregulation may provide short-term stimulus, but they do little to address the structural issues driving inflation, such as supply chain bottlenecks and geopolitical instability.”
What’s Next for Trump and the GOP?
With the midterm elections just six months away, Trump and his allies are facing an uphill battle to reverse the slide in his approval ratings. The president has sought to rally his base by doubling down on his hardline stance toward Iran and framing the midterms as a choice between “strength” and “weakness.” In a recent campaign rally, he declared that the U.S. Would “never back down” in the face of adversity and that his administration would “deliver victory” in the war with Iran.
However, his messaging has done little to address the economic concerns of voters. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 64% of respondents believe the country is on the “wrong track,” with only 28% expressing optimism about the future. The figures suggest that Trump’s approval ratings could continue to decline unless the administration takes decisive action to address the cost-of-living crisis and bring the war with Iran to a swift conclusion.
For the Republican Party, the stakes could not be higher. The GOP currently holds a slim majority in the House of Representatives and a razor-thin margin in the Senate. With Trump’s approval ratings at historic lows, the party faces the prospect of significant losses in November, particularly in swing districts and states where economic concerns are paramount. Democratic strategists are already targeting vulnerable Republican incumbents, framing the midterms as a chance to “restore sanity” to Washington and hold the administration accountable for its handling of the economy and the war.
Key Takeaways
- Record-Low Approval: Only 34% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump’s performance, the lowest since his return to the White House in 2025, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- Economic Concerns Dominate: Just 22% of respondents approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, with inflation and rising energy prices cited as top voter concerns.
- War with Iran a Liability: Only 32% of voters approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict, including just 54% of Republicans—a significant decline from earlier in his term.
- Midterm Challenges: The GOP faces an uphill battle to retain control of Congress, with Trump’s low approval ratings threatening to energize Democratic voters and dampen Republican enthusiasm.
- Partisan Divides: While Trump remains popular among his core supporters, his approval ratings have declined even among Republicans, with only 78% expressing approval, down from 85% in early 2025.
What Happens Next?
The next major checkpoint for Trump’s approval ratings will come in June, when the administration is expected to release its mid-year economic report. The document, which will include updated projections for GDP growth, inflation, and unemployment, could provide a critical snapshot of the administration’s economic performance ahead of the midterms. The ongoing war with Iran remains a wildcard, with the potential for further escalation or a diplomatic breakthrough to dramatically shift public opinion.
For now, however, the political landscape appears increasingly challenging for Trump and his party. With voter discontent at record highs, the midterm elections could serve as a referendum on the administration’s handling of the economy and the war—a test that the GOP may struggle to pass.
What do you think about Trump’s handling of the economy and the war with Iran? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on social media.