Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The war in Iran and the cost of living seems to be fueling the disapproval.
Public frustration with US President Donald Trump is mounting as new polling signals weakening support for the POTUS.
According to an NBC News Decision Desk poll powered by SurveyMonkey, 37% of adults approve of Trump’s performance, while 63% disapprove.
The survey was conducted from March 30 to April 13 and included more than 32,400 participants.
Half of respondents said they strongly disapprove, marking the lowest rating of Trump’s second term in this polling series.
The survey also found broad pessimism about the country’s trajectory. Only one-third of Americans believe the nation is on the right track, while two-thirds say it is heading in the wrong direction.
Republican backing remains strong but has softened slightly. Support among Republicans stands at 83%, down four points from earlier this year.
Inflation hike in March
Annual inflation in the US jumped from 2.4% in January and February to 3.3% in March, according to Trading Economics.
It is the highest level of annual inflation in the US since May 2024.
A number of factors affect the inflation rate, but disruptions to the global oil trade due to the war between the US, Israel, and Iran played a significant role in this development.
According to Trading Economics, gasoline prices jumped by 18.9%, while fuel oil increased by a staggering 44.2%.
The global oil trade has suffered since the war broke out in late February, as Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz following the US–Israel attack. Under normal circumstances, the strait sees approximately 20% of the global crude oil trade pass through the narrow body of water, meaning supplies have been disrupted and global oil prices have skyrocketed.
The Iran war is also a major source of discontent for the US public, according to the NBC poll.
War concerns deepen
Two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of the war, while only one-third approve.
A majority, 61%, say the United States should avoid further military action. Opposition is especially strong among younger Americans, with 74% of those under 30 rejecting escalation.
Partisan divides remain stark, though even within Republican ranks, some dissent has emerged.
Economic pressure rises
In 1992, Clinton campaign strategist James Carville famously said: “It’s the economy, stupid.” He used the phrase to describe the main concern among American voters, and even though the quote turns 34 this year, it still appears to hold true.
The poll shows 29% of Americans view the economy as the most important issue, with inflation emerging as the top concern for 45% of respondents.
Just 32% approve of Trump’s handling of inflation, while 68% disapprove. More Americans report worsening personal finances, with 40% saying their situation has declined over the past year.
Rising fuel costs are also a burden, with nearly two-thirds describing gas prices as a problem for their households.
Sources: NBC News, SurveyMonkey, Trading Economics
