Full Breakdown
Trump’s Approval Rating Sinks to Historic Low Amid Iran Conflict and Economic Strain
5/11/2026, 7:53:43 PM
Approval Rating Hits Historic Low
Early-May 2026 polls show President Donald Trump’s job approval between 34 % and 42 %. RealClearPolitics averages 40.5 % approval/56.3 % disapproval; Economist/YouGov reports 36 %/58 %; Pew Research 34 %/64 %; Rasmussen 42 %/56 %. Net-approval calculations range from –15.8 to –28, marking the lowest level of any president in the current term.
Polling Data and Demographic Split
Independents approve 25 % and disapprove 63 % (net –38). Republicans 86 % approve; Democrats 97 % disapprove. White evangelical Christians 64 % approve. Black voters 90 % disapprove, white voters 47 % approve. Pennsylvania shows a net –12 % (41 % approve, 54 % disapprove).
Context: Iran War, Inflation and Gas Prices
A YouGov poll names inflation and prices as the top concern for 60 % of Americans, followed by jobs. Sixty percent oppose the U.S.–Iran war, and 61 % say the country is off track. Rising gasoline prices add to discontent.
Implications for 2026 Midterms
A congressional poll shows 38 % would vote Democratic, 34 % Republican, 27 % undecided. Independent voters, who swing close races, have shifted sharply against Trump, raising GOP concerns in swing districts.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump told Newsmax that his absence from the ballot distorts public perception and that a ballot presence would produce a landslide victory. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the 2024 election is the most decisive measure of public support and highlighted the administration’s focus on jobs, inflation and housing.
Criticism & Opposition
*The View* co-host Sunny Hostin said Trump struggles to win Democratic voters and Republican-leaning independents, yet retains strong support among Republicans. Analyst Ana Navarro warned that fertilizer shortages are pushing farmers—once a key Trump constituency—into bankruptcy. Independent voters have dropped 18 points this year.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
RealClear’s 40.5 % approval differs from Pew’s 34 % and Rasmussen’s 42 %; net-approval ranges from –15.8 to –28, reflecting varied sampling and question wording.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is a problem I'm not on the ballot. Everyone says if I was on a ballot, we'd win in a landslide. I have some of the best poll numbers I've ever had.” — Donald Trump, Newsmax interview
- “ When approached for comment, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle previously told Newsweek: "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
- “I don't know. I think that he is deeply unpopular with Democrats. He's deeply unpopular with Republican-leaning independents. But what's interesting to me is he remains popular with Republicans. His approval rating has held steady at 85 percent.” — Sunny Hostin, *The View*
- “So farmers are not being able to secure fertilizer, which means the crop yields are going to be greatly diminished, which means what we all pay in the grocery store is going to rise in prices, and farmers are going bankrupt. And this was his base, and he's not doing a thing.” — Ana Navarro, *The View*
