President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 35 percent, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos survey released Tuesday, as the administration’s military engagement with Iran continues to strain domestic politics and the economy. The poll marks a one-point decline from earlier this month and sits just one point above Trump’s all-time low recorded last month.
The survey, conducted among 1,271 U.S. adults from May 15 to 18, shows a significant erosion of support among Republicans. Forty-six percent of GOP respondents said they disapprove of Trump’s handling of cost-of-living issues, while 47 percent approve. Overall, 21 percent of Republicans now disapprove of his job performance, up sharply from just 5 percent when he took office. Approval among the party stands at 79 percent, down from 82 percent earlier this month and 91 percent in January 2025.
The president’s approval rating stood at 47 percent at the start of his second term. The latest figures reflect growing unease within his own base over economic pressures linked to the Iran conflict. The war has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane, due to Iranian counterstrikes and a U.S. naval blockade. Global energy prices have surged, with Brent crude trading at around $105 a barrel on Wednesday, up from about $70 before the conflict. U.S.-produced West Texas Intermediate hovered just under $100 a barrel.
Domestically, the average price of regular gasoline reached $4.56 a gallon on Wednesday, more than a dollar higher than a year ago, according to AAA. The administration has characterized these price increases as temporary, necessary sacrifices in the pursuit of a long-term nuclear agreement with Iran. However, some GOP lawmakers and business leaders have warned that sustained financial strain could have cascading economic and political consequences.
The president campaigned heavily in 2024 on promises to make living costs more affordable, and affordability is expected to be a central issue in the upcoming midterm elections. The erosion of Republican confidence on this front is particularly notable, as it undermines a core pillar of Trump’s political appeal.
Meanwhile, the administration has signaled no urgency in finalizing a nuclear deal with Iran, even as the conflict disrupts global markets. The White House’s stance has drawn criticism from some quarters, but the president’s allies have pushed back, arguing that the long-term benefits of a strengthened negotiating position outweigh short-term economic pain. The poll’s margin of error is approximately 3 percentage points.
In related developments, the administration has faced scrutiny over a $1.78 billion fund linked to Trump allies, with House Democrats demanding the Justice Department explain its purpose. The fund has also sparked lawsuits from January 6 officers seeking to block its use. These controversies add to the political headwinds facing the president as his approval ratings hit new lows.
