Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Trump’s Approval Plummets, Gas $4, Iran Tensions Rise

8/2/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to a new second-term low, Nate Silver said on X.
Gasoline rose to $4.11 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.15 a year earlier, AAA reported.
The U.S.–Iran conflict entered its sixth month, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of global oil.
A Quinnipiac poll showed 58 percent disapproval and 32 percent approval, the lowest approval the pollster has recorded for Trump.

History

Historical Context

October 1973 OAPEC embargoed oil against the United States for backing Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The cut lifted gasoline to 55.1 ¢ per gallon—a 43% jump by June 1974—and helped trigger a recession that drove Nixon’s approval sharply down. In 2024, Iran-related tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have again pushed U.S. gasoline above $4 per gallon and left President Trump’s approval near historic lows.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval rating fell to a new second-term low, Nate Silver said on X.
Gasoline rose to $4.11 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.15 a year earlier, AAA reported.
The U.S.–Iran conflict entered its sixth month, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of global oil.
A Quinnipiac poll showed 58 percent disapproval and 32 percent approval, the lowest approval the pollster has recorded for Trump.

1 / 2