Trump Approval Hits Record-Low 34% as Iran War Drives 50% Gas Price Surge

8 articles · Updated · Forbes · May 11

Reuters/Ipsos found Trump's approval at 34% in late April, a record low for his second term, before a modest rebound to 36% in the May 8-11 weekly poll; 63% now disapprove.
Gasoline prices have jumped 50% since the Iran conflict began on Feb. 28, and 75% of respondents — including half of Republicans — said Trump's administration is at least partly responsible.
The war is also eroding confidence in his leadership: 66% said Trump has not clearly explained U.S. goals in Iran, including 30% of Republicans and 73% of independents.
Broader polling cited in the report shows the weakness extending beyond Reuters/Ipsos, with multiple surveys putting approval in the mid-to-high 30s and majorities disapproving of his handling of the economy, inflation and cost of living.
That slide comes ahead of the November midterms, when Democratic candidates hold a 49%-44% edge in one recent poll as voter frustration over war and prices deepens.

The Iran war failed to rally the public. What is the administration's endgame for a conflict most Americans want to exit?

With the Iran war disrupting global oil, could gas prices hitting $7 a gallon trigger a worldwide recession?

As inflation erodes wages, can the central bank avert a recession while the Iran conflict continues to rage?