A growing number of Americans are blaming the escalating conflict with Iran for worsening their financial strain, according to a new Politico poll that underscores the political danger for Republicans heading into the midterm elections.
Released Friday, the survey found that more than 60 percent of respondents believe President Trump has failed to protect American households from the economic fallout of the war. That sentiment cuts across party lines, including majorities of both Trump voters and those who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
The cost-of-living crisis is now the dominant concern for voters, with 53 percent saying it is the worst they can recall. A plurality also reported that their personal financial situation has deteriorated since Trump returned to office.
Economists trace much of the pain to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which began after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28. The disruption has sent global oil prices soaring, pushing the national average gas price to $4.55 per gallon last week — more than a dollar higher than a year ago.
For context, the savings rate has plunged to 2.6% as energy costs outpace wages, adding to the strain on household budgets.
Negotiations are underway for a 60-day ceasefire that would reopen the strait, U.S. officials said Thursday. The deal would also create a framework for broader talks on Iran's nuclear program.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai acknowledged the "short-term disruptions" but argued that conditions will improve once shipping resumes. Critics note that the administration has yet to offer direct relief, even as state and local leaders explore ways to shield residents from energy price spikes.
The poll, conducted May 9–11 among 2,065 adults, carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. It arrives as Trump's vendettas threaten the GOP Senate majority, with primary battles and economic discontent converging.
For millions of Americans, the war in the Persian Gulf has become a daily reality at the pump and the grocery store — and the political consequences are only beginning to unfold.
