Nicolai Haugsted
The President has set many records during his time in The White HOuse – but not all good.
Pressure is mounting on the White House as Americans grow increasingly concerned about household finances and the long-term impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating remaining close to the weakest levels of his political career, while a majority of Americans expect fuel costs to rise further in the months ahead.
Approval Stuck Near Lowest Point
According to the nationwide survey, 35 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president.
That figure remains unchanged from the previous Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in May and sits just above the 34 percent approval rating recorded in April, the lowest level of his current term.
Numbers are also approaching the weakest point of Trump’s first presidency, when his approval rating fell to 33 percent in late 2017.
Growing concerns over the economy appear to be playing a major role in the president’s political struggles.
Fuel Prices Remain a Major Concern
Many Americans continue to worry about the financial consequences of the conflict involving Iran.
Trump ordered military strikes against Iran earlier this year alongside Israel, triggering a wider confrontation that disrupted key shipping routes used for global oil transport.
Although gasoline prices have eased somewhat in recent weeks, voters remain pessimistic about where costs are headed.
Nearly six in ten respondents said they expect gasoline prices to increase over the next year, while only a small minority believe prices will improve.
Cost of Living Remains a Weak Spot
Perhaps the most troubling numbers for the administration concern household expenses.
Only 22 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 70 percent disapprove.
Those figures place the president in a weaker position on the issue than former President Joe Biden was at the end of his term, despite Trump’s repeated campaign promises to tackle inflation and lower costs for consumers.
High fuel prices remain a particularly sensitive issue as Republicans prepare for congressional elections later this year.
Mixed Views on Iran Strategy
Public opinion on the military campaign against Iran remains divided.
Poll results showed that 36 percent of Americans support the U.S. strikes, while just 25 percent believe the benefits of the operation have outweighed the costs.
Peace negotiations have continued since the most intense phase of the conflict subsided earlier this year, though no lasting agreement has yet emerged.
Democrats Hold Narrow Edge
Survey findings also suggest a competitive political landscape ahead of the midterm elections.
Registered voters said they would currently favor Democratic congressional candidates by a margin of 41 percent to 37 percent.
Economic issues remain central to that debate. While Republicans traditionally held an advantage on economic management in recent years, the latest poll indicates that gap has nearly disappeared, with voters split almost evenly over which party has the stronger economic plan.
Results were based on responses from 4,531 adults nationwide and carried a margin of error of two percentage points.
