Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Record Low Amid Iran War and Rising Living Costs
5/2/2026, 12:49:51 AM
Approval Plunge Tied to Iran War and Living-Cost Pressures
A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,014 U.S. adults (April 24-27) gave President Donald Trump 34 % approval, down from 36 % two weeks earlier. Cost-of-living approval fell to 22 %, disapproval rose to 64 %, net –30 points.
Context: Iran Conflict and Fuel Prices
The U.S. and Israel began air strikes on Iran on Feb 28, prompting Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade cut one-fifth of global oil flow, pushing gasoline to $4.20 per gallon, a rise of over 40 %.
Poll Numbers
Reuters/Ipsos gave Trump 34 % overall approval, 22 % on cost-of-living, 27 % on the economy, and 34 % on the Iran war. Other polls show 38-44 % overall approval. Republican backing remains high (71-78 %), but 41 % of respondents disapprove of his cost-of-living handling. Independents favor Democrats 34 % to 20 %.
Political Implications
The November 2026 midterms will decide control of the House and a third of the Senate, while economic discontent—especially among independents and the 41 % of respondents uneasy about rising prices—threatens prospects. Marc Short warned affordability will become a growing challenge for Republicans.
Official Statements & Responses
White House spokesman Davis Ingle said Trump “has accomplished more for the American people than any other President” and is “working tirelessly to create jobs, cool inflation, increase housing affordability, and more.” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed a limited-edition passport with Trump’s portrait and its security features. The administration frames the Iran operation as necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation; Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined comment on any peace proposal.
Criticism & Opposition
Air Force Captain Kathryn Bright said she feels “disgusted with myself for backing Trump… I feel betrayed, like he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Commentators Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have questioned the war’s fit with Trump’s “America First” rhetoric.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polls differ on the slump: Reuters/Ipsos shows 34 % approval, while InsiderAdvantage and Morning Consult recorded 44 % in the same week. Cost-of-living approval ranges from 21 % to 23 % across surveys. Most data were collected before the April 30 shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, leaving that event’s impact unmeasured.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Trump literally broke the scale of this graph on my data portal,” — G. Elliott Morris, pollster
- “I feel betrayed, like he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” — Kathryn Bright, voter
- “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 spokesman
- “The reality is that prices are going to continue to go up. This is going to continue to ripple through,” — Marc Short, former official
What’s Next
A ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz was announced in early April, but Iranian threats persist, keeping oil markets volatile. The November 2026 midterms will test whether the administration can halt the erosion of support among independents and disaffected Republicans before the presidential cycle.
