Trump Gets Bad News After A Great Election Night

President Trump is beginning to lose support among Republican voters on the economy as inflation and rising fuel costs continue weighing on households across the country, according to a newly released poll.

The latest survey from The Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago found that approval of Trump’s handling of the economy among Republicans has dropped noticeably since the start of his second term.

According to the poll, 63 percent of Republican voters now approve of Trump’s economic leadership, down sharply from 78 percent earlier in his presidency.

The decline comes as the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues fueling economic uncertainty, rising energy prices and concerns about household costs ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Inflation pressures remain a major concern for many Americans. Recent data from the Labor Department showed the consumer price index rising 3.8 percent over the past year, driven largely by increases in housing, gasoline and energy costs.

Gas prices have also surged nationwide, with every U.S. state now reporting average prices above $4 per gallon. In several areas along the West Coast, as well as Hawaii and Alaska, prices have climbed beyond $5 per gallon, according to data from AAA.

Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy said gas prices briefly showed signs of easing as oil markets reacted to hopes of diplomatic progress between the U.S. and Iran.

However, optimism faded after Trump’s recent meeting with Xi Jinping failed to produce a major breakthrough regarding Iran, causing oil prices to rise again amid renewed tensions.

Analysts now warn that gasoline and diesel prices could remain unstable for weeks or even months if global energy markets continue reacting to uncertainty in the Middle East.

Behind the scenes, some Republicans are reportedly growing nervous about how prolonged inflation and high fuel costs could impact voters during the upcoming midterm elections, even as party leaders publicly project confidence about maintaining control of Congress.

Trump also sparked criticism recently after appearing to dismiss economic concerns tied to the Iran conflict. During remarks to reporters, the president suggested he does not focus on Americans’ personal financial struggles when making decisions about Iran policy.

Despite the economic frustrations, overall Republican support for Trump remains relatively strong, and the poll found broader opinions about his presidency have changed little in recent months.

Roughly six in ten Americans overall still disapprove of Trump’s performance in office, while about three in ten approve.

On economic issues specifically, however, support has weakened more noticeably. Only about one-third of respondents now approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, down from roughly 40 percent at the beginning of his second term.

The survey was conducted from May 14 through May 18 among 1,117 U.S. adults nationwide. The overall margin of error was 3.8 percentage points, with a larger margin for Republican respondents and GOP-leaning voters.