Trump's Approval Ratings Plummet Amid Economic Concerns and Ongoing War

President Donald Trump's approval ratings have reached unprecedented lows during his second term, with recent polling indicating a net approval rating of -21.4%. According to the polling aggregator FiftyPlusOne, as of April 2, 2026, only 37.2% of Americans approve of his job performance, while 58.6% disapprove. This marks the lowest approval rating for any president at this stage in their term since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Trump's ratings have been significantly affected by a combination of economic dissatisfaction and the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has exacerbated public concerns about rising costs and inflation.

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A CNN poll highlights that Trump's approval rating for handling the economy has fallen to a career low of 31%. Approximately two-thirds of Americans believe his policies have worsened economic conditions, a notable increase from earlier in the year. The dissatisfaction is particularly pronounced among younger Republicans, with a 23-point decline in approval among those under 45. The rising gas prices, now averaging over $4 per gallon due to the U.S. military actions in Iran, have further strained household budgets, leading to widespread financial hardship.

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Several significant events have contributed to Trump's declining approval ratings. These include the fallout from his tariffs, mass deportations, the October 2025 government shutdown, and the ongoing war in Iran. Each of these events has cumulatively affected public perception, leading to a sense of economic insecurity among voters. Data journalist Elliott Morris notes that Trump's inability to effectively address these issues has made his unpopularity a defining feature of his presidency.

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Critics argue that Trump's handling of both domestic and foreign issues has alienated key voter demographics, particularly independents and younger voters. A growing number of Americans, including 63% who disapprove of his foreign policy decisions, express skepticism about his leadership. Furthermore, Trump's approval ratings among Republicans have also seen erosion, with only 43% strongly approving of his performance, down from 52% in January.

Newsweek

In response to the declining approval ratings, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle emphasized Trump's past electoral success, stating, "The ultimate poll was November 5, 2024, when nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump to deliver on his popular and commonsense agenda." Ingle also defended Trump's policies, asserting that he is working tirelessly to create jobs and improve economic conditions.

Newsweek

As the midterm elections approach, both parties are under pressure to address rising costs and economic instability. The outcome of the Iran conflict and its impact on energy prices will likely play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and Trump's approval ratings moving forward. Observers are closely monitoring how these factors will influence voter sentiment as the political landscape evolves.

Newsweek

• “To sum up: Trump’s approval ratings slide doesn’t look like the result of one isolated crisis so much as the cumulative effect of a presidency that keeps making voters feel not listened to and less economically secure.” — G. Elliott Morris, Data Journalist

The six big events that have dragged down Donald Trump's approval rating

• “The ultimate poll was November 5, 2024, when nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump to deliver on his popular and commonsense agenda.” — Davis Ingle, White House Spokesperson

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• “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!” — Anonymous Republican Voter

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While various polls indicate Trump's approval ratings are at historic lows, discrepancies exist regarding the exact figures. For instance, RealClearPolitics reports an approval rating of 40.9%, while CNN and FiftyPlusOne show lower ratings. This inconsistency highlights the challenges in gauging public sentiment accurately amid a rapidly changing political landscape.

Newsweek