Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low Amid Economic Concerns

President Donald Trump’s job approval ratings have fallen to record lows across multiple national surveys, driven by a combination of escalating conflict with Iran and growing domestic concerns over the cost of living.

The decline in public support coincides with rising gas prices, which voters increasingly link to the ongoing war with Iran. Data from several polls conducted in April 2026 indicate that economic frustration is beginning to weigh on the president’s standing, even as some segments of the electorate express support for specific military actions.

Economic Strain and Cost-of-Living Concerns

Economic dissatisfaction has emerged as a primary driver of the president’s sliding numbers. According to a Harvard CAPS/HarrisX poll conducted between April 23 and April 26, 2026, 85% of voters expressed concern that increasing gas prices will lead to a broader rise in the cost of living.

The same survey revealed a significant shift in how voters perceive the current economy compared to the previous administration, finding that 52% of respondents believe the economy is worse under President Trump than it was under President Joe Biden.

This sentiment was echoed in an NBC News Decision Desk Poll released on April 19, 2026, which found that two-thirds of respondents disapproved of the president’s handling of inflation. The poll also noted a general sense of pessimism regarding the nation’s trajectory, with two-thirds of Americans believing the country is on the wrong track, the most pessimistic outlook recorded by the Decision Desk since Trump returned to office in 2025.

Impact of the Iran Conflict

The war with Iran has created a complex dynamic in public opinion, where support for military intervention exists alongside frustration over the conflict’s management and its economic fallout.

The Harvard CAPS/HarrisX poll found that 52% of voters support U.S. Airstrikes against Iran and a plurality of 35% back efforts to force Iran to relinquish its enriched uranium. However, that same plurality also stated that the war has no clear direction.

The NBC News Decision Desk Poll indicated that two-thirds of Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of the Iran conflict. This is particularly notable given that Trump campaigned on a promise during his 2024 presidential bid to keep the United States out of foreign entanglements.

Detailed Poll Findings

Recent polling shows varying levels of disapproval across different survey methodologies, though the general trend remains downward.

• Harvard CAPS/HarrisX (April 23-26): The president’s approval rating stood at 42%, marking his lowest point in the past year.
• Economist/YouGov (April 24-27): Trump’s approval rating dropped to 37%, while his disapproval rating rose five points to 59%.
• Morning Consult (April 24-27): The president held a 44% approval and 53% disapproval rating, figures that remained unchanged from the previous week.
• NBC News Decision Desk (April 19): Approval sat at 37% with 63% disapproval, the lowest point of his second term in this specific polling series. Within that disapproval, 50% of respondents said they disapprove strongly.

Political Implications and Base Support

While the president’s overall numbers have dipped, he maintains substantial support within his own party, though some signs of softening have appeared.

Morning Consult reported that Republican support remains strong at 86% as the midterm elections approach in six months. However, the survey also highlighted a sharp divide with independent voters, 64% of whom disapprove of the president’s job performance.

The NBC News Decision Desk Poll noted a slight decline in Republican enthusiasm. Support among Republicans fell to 83%, a 4-point drop from earlier in 2026. The share of Republicans who strongly approve of Trump’s performance decreased by 6 points, falling from 58% to 52%.

These trends present potential challenges for Republicans as they work to defend their majorities in Congress during the upcoming midterm elections, as voter frustration with inflation and foreign conflict persists.