A fresh ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey released Friday reveals that President Trump's disapproval rating has reached a new peak, with 62% of Americans now expressing dissatisfaction with his performance. That figure marks a two-percentage-point increase from February, underscoring deepening voter frustration over economic pressures and the ongoing conflict in Iran.
The poll, conducted among 2,560 U.S. adults with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, shows that economic anxieties are at the forefront of public concern. Seventy-two percent of respondents disapprove of how Trump is managing inflation—a seven-point jump from two months ago—while just 27% approve, and 1% declined to answer. Similarly, 76% disapprove of his handling of the cost of living in the United States, with only 23% approving and 1% skipping the question.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he "won" the debate over affordability and argued that inflation would not persist after the war. But the poll suggests voters are not buying that narrative. Core inflation hit a two-year high of 3.5% in March, and rising gas and energy prices tied to the Iran conflict have directly impacted many households. The administration's struggles on the economic front are compounding broader political headwinds.
On foreign policy, the picture is equally grim for the president. Sixty-six percent of respondents disapprove of Trump's handling of the Iran war, while only 33% approve. The survey was fielded as negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain in flux following the conclusion of most U.S. ground strikes. Trump told reporters Saturday that the U.S. has received a new Iranian proposal to end the war but expressed skepticism, saying, "I'll let you know about it later" as he awaited the exact wording.
The president's frustration with allies has also come into sharp focus. Trump has accused European partners of not providing sufficient support in the Middle East, and some have openly criticized the military operation. In a move that has inflamed tensions, Trump announced Saturday that he will pull about 5,000 troops from Germany, adding, "We are going to cut way down, and we're cutting a lot further than 5,000." The decision has drawn sharp rebukes from Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike, including GOP Armed Services chiefs who have blasted the withdrawal as damaging to U.S. national security.
The poll finds that 65% of Americans believe Trump is handling relations with allies poorly, a sentiment that aligns with the ongoing public spats. The president's feud with German Chancellor Merz has further strained the transatlantic alliance, and the Czech president has rejected Trump's criticism of Europe's role in Iran. These diplomatic rifts are eroding confidence in the administration's foreign policy approach.
Trump's broader political standing remains under pressure, with a recent Pew poll indicating that 56% of Americans believe federal ethics have declined during his second term. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the president is backing candidates like Andy Barr in the Kentucky Senate primary to replace Mitch McConnell, but the souring public mood could complicate those efforts.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the poll results. With inflation stubbornly high and the Iran war dragging on, Trump faces an uphill battle to regain the trust of a skeptical electorate.
