As the Iran war continues to erode his popularity at home, Donald Trump has claimed he could run for prime minister in Israel, citing a '99 percent approval' rating in the country. The president did not specify the source of this poll, but it stands in stark contrast to his declining approval ratings in the United States, where his second term has been marred by rising costs and an unpopular Middle Eastern conflict.
Trump's Remarks on Israel
'Right now I'm at 99 percent in Israel, I could run for prime minister,' Trump told reporters on Wednesday. 'So maybe after I do this I'll go to Israel and run for prime minister. Had a poll this morning, I'm 99 percent,' he repeated. The comments came in response to questions about the war and his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he described as a 'great guy.'
Approval Ratings at Home
Despite his claimed popularity in Israel, the war has contributed to Trump's sinking approval in the U.S. According to a new Fox News poll, his overall approval stands at just 39 percent, with 61 percent disapproving of his performance. Disapproval of the Iran war reached 60 percent in May, up from 55 percent in April, even though two-thirds of respondents believe the U.S. is winning the conflict.
The same survey highlighted growing concerns over economic pressures exacerbated by the war, which Trump and Netanyahu initiated in late February. Only 24 percent of respondents approved of Trump's handling of the economy, down from 35 percent in January. Among self-identified Democrats, 96 percent expressed disapproval, along with 85 percent of independents and 51 percent of Republicans.
Economic Impact
The Fox poll follows a Department of Labor report showing wholesale inflation at its highest level since the immediate post-pandemic period under Joe Biden in 2022. The producer price index doubled between March and April to 1.4 percent. Overall, Trump scored just 29 percent approval for his work on the economy, with 71 percent disapproving—a 15 percent increase from a year ago and a 5 percent month-on-month rise.
Further breaking down the data, 77 percent of respondents said the U.S. economy is in bad shape, up from 73 percent in April, while only 23 percent rated it positively. Fifty-eight percent cited the rising cost of living as their primary economic concern, up from 50 percent in February, far outweighing issues like government spending, unemployment, and taxes. Additionally, 51 percent said their family's personal finances are worse off than two years ago under Biden.
Policy Consequences
After returning to the White House in 2024 on a promise to lower the cost of living, Trump has introduced policies that have exacerbated the problem. His immigration crackdown has strained domestic manufacturers, his on-off reciprocal tariffs have driven up consumer goods prices, and the Iran war has pushed gas prices higher. Yet the president continues to insist all is well, facing backlash last week for dismissing voters' economic concerns. 'I don't think about American financial situation—I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,' he told reporters.
