Trump Approval Among White Working-Class Voters Turns Net Negative at 54% as Price Pressures Bite
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 28
Trump Approval Among White Working-Class Voters Turns Net Negative at 54% as Price Pressures Bite
4 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 28
54% of White voters without college degrees disapproved of Trump’s job performance in a May CBS News poll, up from 32% in February 2025 and 45% in February this year.
Gas and grocery costs are driving the slide, with this longtime Trump base disapproving of his handling of the economy by 22 points even as they still back him more on immigration.
Ohio voters interviewed for the report tied their frustration to the U.S. war with Iran, elevated fuel prices and tariffs that they say have raised costs and disrupted jobs and investment plans.
The erosion threatens Republicans in the midterms, especially in battlegrounds like Ohio, where Trump won by 11 points in 2024 and the GOP faces costly Senate and governor races.
With key missile stockpiles depleted by the Iran war, what is the long-term risk to U.S. national security and global stability?
As the Iran war strains household budgets, can new child savings accounts truly offset the rising cost of living for American families?
White Working-Class Support for Trump Plummets: Approval Turns Negative as Economic Woes and Iran Conflict Bite in 2026
Overview
President Donald Trump’s approval rating among white working-class voters turned net negative for the first time in his second term, following a year-long erosion of support. Recent polls show disapproval now outweighs approval, a trend that began before high-profile events like mass deportations and protester deaths in Minneapolis. Economic hardships, including job losses, rising unemployment, and higher inflation—worsened by the ongoing conflict with Iran and surging gas prices—have fueled this dissatisfaction. This shift signals a major challenge for the Republican Party, as it risks losing a core demographic ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.