Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37%, its lowest level since he returned to office in January 2025, according to a New York Times/Siena poll released on Monday. The decline comes amid mounting frustration over the cost of living and the US-Israel war on Iran, with nearly two-thirds of voters saying entering the conflict was the wrong decision.
The poll, conducted ahead of November's US midterm elections, shows that 64% of US voters disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy, an issue long considered his political strength. A majority also gave him poor marks on managing the cost of living, immigration and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Among independent voters, 47% said his policies have personally hurt them, up from 41% last autumn.
Economic pressures are evident in rising fuel prices, with the national average now at nearly $4.52 per gallon, compared to $3.18 a year ago. Last week, Trump stated, 'I don't think about Americans’ financial situation,' when asked if economic hardship was motivating him to seek a peace deal with Iran.
The war, launched in late February, has contributed to global economic costs. Fewer than one in four Americans believe the conflict has been worth the costs. John Johnson, a 78-year-old contractor from Kentucky who voted for Trump, told the Guardian: 'Everybody’s suffering from gas prices. Is it handled right? I don’t think so. It could have been handled differently, diplomatically more so.'
Despite Trump's declining approval, the poll does not indicate strong support for Democrats: only 26% of voters are satisfied with the Democratic party, and 44% of Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with their own party. Historically, presidential approval ratings have been a strong indicator of how the incumbent party will perform in upcoming elections.
