Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low Amid Iran War and Cost-of-Living Surge
4/29/2026, 4:49:28 AM
Polls Show Historic Low
Late-April surveys show President Donald Trump’s overall approval at its lowest of his second term. Reuters/Ipsos (April 15-20, n = 1,014) recorded 34 % approval, down from 36 % a week earlier. Harvard CAPS/HarrisX (April 23-26, n = 2,745) reported 42 % approval, the lowest in a year. Disapproval ranged from 59 % to 64 %.
Iran War and Inflation Drive Discontent
The Iran war, launched Feb. 28 after Tehran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, has pushed U.S. gasoline prices 34-40 % to about $4 per gallon. Voters cite higher fuel and grocery costs as the main reason for disapproval; 85 % say rising gas prices will raise overall living costs. Trump’s handling of the cost of living is approved by 22 % and the economy by 27 % (Reuters/Ipsos). Support for the war is divided: 52 % back airstrikes (Harvard CAPS/HarrisX) but only 35 % approve the strikes (Reuters/Ipsos March). Republican approval stays high at 71 % while 41 % of the party disapprove of his cost-of-living response. Independents favor Democrats 34 % to 20 % in upcoming congressional races (Detroit News).
Official White House Position
The White House defended the president’s record on jobs, inflation and housing, and framed the Iran operation as necessary to force Tehran to abandon enriched uranium. In response to questions about a possible ground deployment, the president reiterated that no troops would be sent.
Criticism and GOP Dissent
Public disapproval is strong: 54 % strongly disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Iran war and 52 % strongly disapprove of his economic management (NBC News). Right-wing commentators Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene argue the war contradicts Trump’s “America First” pledge. A Marquette Law School poll found 32 % of all voters approve of the war, rising to 65 % among Republicans, showing intra-party dissent.
Conflicting Poll Results
Polls diverge on approval: Reuters/Ipsos 34 %, Harvard CAPS/HarrisX 42 %, Morning Consult 44 %. Air-strike support is 52 % in the Harvard poll but 35 % in the Reuters/Ipsos March poll. No survey offers a timeline for ending the conflict or data on congressional war-funding votes.
Quotes
- “The ultimate poll was November 5th 2024 when nearly 80 million Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump to deliver on his popular and commonsense agenda.” — Davis Ingle, White House
- “No other President in history has accomplished more for the American people than President Trump, who is working tirelessly to create jobs, cool inflation, increase housing affordability, and more.” — Davis Ingle, White House
- “Iran has just informed us that they are in a ‘State of Collapse,'” — Donald Trump, President
- “We’re not putting troops anywhere.” — Donald Trump, President
Midterm Outlook
With approval in the low-30s and independents leaning Democratic, Republicans face a steep climb to protect Senate and House majorities in November. Analysts warn that unless gasoline prices fall and the Iran conflict de-escalates, the administration’s economic messaging may not halt further erosion of support among GOP voters.