Trump Approval Drops to New Low Amid Rising Fuel Prices
President Donald Trump’s approval rating has declined to its lowest level since returning to the White House, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. The drop comes as fuel prices surge and criticism grows over the ongoing war with Iran.
The four-day survey, completed on Monday, found that 36% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance, down from 40% in the previous week’s poll.
Cost of Living Concerns Weigh on Public Opinion
Public sentiment has shifted sharply regarding Trump’s handling of the cost of living. Gasoline prices have increased significantly since the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28.
Only 25% of respondents said they approve of Trump’s approach to managing living costs, a key issue that played a central role in his 2024 election campaign.
Republican Support Remains Largely Intact
Despite the overall decline in approval, Trump continues to maintain strong support within the Republican Party. Around 20% of Republicans expressed dissatisfaction with his overall performance, a figure that has remained relatively stable.
However, concerns over rising living costs are also growing within his party. The percentage of Republicans who disapprove of his handling of the cost of living increased to 34%, up from 27% the previous week.
War in Iran Impacts Public Sentiment
The conflict with Iran appears to be influencing Trump’s approval ratings. The poll showed that 35% of Americans support the U.S. strikes on Iran, slightly down from 37% in the prior survey.
At the same time, opposition to the strikes has increased, with 61% of respondents expressing disapproval compared to 59% previously.
Public Opinion Shifts as Conflict Develops
Earlier surveys conducted immediately after the first military actions showed more uncertainty among respondents, as many Americans were still forming opinions about the situation.
A late February poll found 27% support for the strikes, 43% opposition, and 29% of respondents unsure. More recent surveys have removed the option to remain undecided, though a small percentage of participants declined to answer.
Political Outlook Ahead of Midterm Elections
Despite Trump’s declining approval ratings, there is little evidence so far that this trend is negatively affecting Republican candidates ahead of the November midterm elections.
According to the poll, 38% of registered voters believe Republicans are better suited to manage the U.S. economy, compared to 34% who favor Democrats.
Poll Methodology
The nationwide online survey included responses from 1,272 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of approximately 3 percentage points.
