Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37%, the lowest point of his second term, according to a New York Times/Siena poll released on Monday. The decline comes as Americans grow increasingly frustrated with the cost of living and the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.
With November's US midterm elections approaching, most voters believe Trump's decision to enter the conflict with Iran was a mistake. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said the war was the wrong choice, and fewer than one in four Americans felt the war was worth its costs.
The economic impact has been severe. The national average fuel price has surged to nearly $4.52 per gallon, up from $3.18 a year ago, according to AAA data. An estimated 64% of voters disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy, an issue that was once his political strength. The poll also shows a majority of voters give him poor marks on managing the cost of living, immigration, and the Israel-Palestine issue.
Among independent voters, 47% say Trump's policies have personally harmed them, a rise from 41% last fall. Trump's approval rating has been steadily declining since his return to office in January 2025. By October 2025, it had already fallen to 42%, matching Joe Biden's level in April 2024, according to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The administration's aggressive deportation tactics, including incidents where two US citizens were killed by federal agents, have further eroded support. However, the decision to join Israel in striking Iran and the subsequent oil crisis appear to have accelerated the decline.
John Johnson, a 78-year-old contractor from Kentucky who voted for Trump, expressed dismay: "Everybody's suffering from gas prices. Is it handled right? I don't think so. It could have been handled differently, diplomatically more so."
The poll does not indicate a clear advantage for Democrats, either. Only 26% of voters are satisfied with the Democratic party, and 44% of Democrats express dissatisfaction with their own party.
