President Donald Trump's approval rating has reached a new second-term low, with recent polls indicating a significant decline in public support as the Iran conflict continues and economic frustrations mount. According to an NBC News Decision Desk poll released on Monday, just 37 percent of adults approve of Trump's performance as president, while 63 percent disapprove, marking a troubling trend for the administration.
Polling Data Reveals Widespread Disapproval
The NBC poll further shows that two-thirds of respondents disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation and the Iran war, highlighting key areas of public concern. Additionally, an AP-NORC poll reveals that the president's approval rating on the economy has fallen by nearly ten percent this month, dropping to 30 percent from 38 percent in March.
Gas Prices and Economic Blame
In a Quinnipiac University survey, more than half of registered voters said they blame President Trump "a lot" for recent increases in gas prices, adding to the economic pressures facing his administration. Analysts attribute this decline in approval to various factors, with the president's signature Liberation Day tariffs, announced in early April last year, being a primary contributor.
Tariffs and Their Political Impact
CNN data analyst Harry Enten noted in a Tuesday segment that Trump's approval rating has been negative since late March, shortly before the tariffs took effect. Enten criticized the president for failing to recognize the policy's unpopularity, stating, "That means that Donald Trump, there hasn't been a single poll that meets CNN's standards for reporting, in which she has had anything but a negative net approval rating for 389 days!"
He added, "As I said, dude, just take the L. Tariffs are a terrible political thing for you, my man!" The Independent has contacted the White House for comment on these findings.
Supreme Court Ruling and Trump's Response
The Supreme Court struck down the tariffs in February, but Trump has continued to defend them. In a CNBC interview on Tuesday, he called the ruling a "little setback" and warned large companies that he would "remember" those that do not seek refunds for the tariffs they paid. "If they don't do that, I'll remember them," Trump said, underscoring his unwavering stance on the policy.
Long-Term Approval Trends
The president's approval slide predates the tariffs, with his popularity beginning to decline in early March 2025 and never fully recovering. However, he experienced a brief uptick in support for his economic handling last fall after the passage of the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill tax cut and spending legislation.
During this period, approval of his economic management briefly surpassed the 40 percent level seen in April 2025 when the tariffs were announced, according to AP-NORC polling. Despite this temporary boost, the overall trend remains downward, fueled by ongoing public frustration over rising prices and the protracted Iran war.
As the 2026 political landscape evolves, these polling numbers suggest significant challenges for Trump's administration, with the Liberation Day tariffs and foreign policy decisions continuing to weigh heavily on his public standing.
