A new poll reveals that President Donald Trump's approval rating has sunk to a new second-term low, as Americans grow increasingly discontent with his management of the Iran conflict and rising living costs. The New York Times/Siena College survey of 1,500 registered voters, conducted in mid-May, found that only 37 percent approve of Trump's job performance, while 59 percent disapprove.
Disapproval Over Iran War and Economy
The president receives particularly poor marks for his handling of the Iran war, with 65 percent of voters disapproving. More than half of respondents believe he made the wrong decision to initiate conflict with Iran in February. However, Trump's lowest approval ratings come from his handling of the cost of living, where a staggering 69 percent of voters disapprove, including a third of Republicans.
Despite campaigning on promises to lower everyday costs, inflation has steadily increased over the past year, especially in energy prices. In April, average gas prices exceeded $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, and as of May 18, regular gas costs $4.51 per gallon on average.
Impact of Iran War on Energy Prices
Rising energy costs are linked to the war in Iran, which has disrupted global oil prices due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where about 25 percent of the world's oil is transported. Trump and his administration have described high gas prices as a temporary side effect of the conflict, promising they will drop once the war ends. However, peace negotiations between the U.S., Israel, and Iran have stalled, and the conflict's conclusion remains uncertain.
Voters are growing pessimistic: half of survey respondents do not believe the U.S. will succeed in ending Iran's nuclear program, and more than half think the costs of the war outweigh any potential benefits.
Consistent with Other Polls
Trump's record-low approval rating aligns with other recent surveys. A CNN/SSRS poll places his approval at around 35 percent, and a CBS News/YouGov survey found that approximately 70 percent of respondents are angry or frustrated with his economic policies.
