Trump’s disapproval rating rises to new high as Iran war drags on, finds survey

In the current context of May 4, 2026, President Donald Trump's disapproval rating has surged to a record high of 62%. This decline is largely attributed to public dissatisfaction with the ongoing conflict with Iran and its severe economic impacts, particularly a "spiralling" cost-of-living crisis.

Key Survey Findings

• Overall Job Performance: Trump's approval rating has plummeted to 34%–37%, the lowest of his second term.
• Handling of Iran Conflict: Public rejection of the war is high, with 66% of Americans disapproving of his handling of the situation and 61% specifically stating that the use of military force was a "mistake".
• Economic Impact: Disapproval of his economic management has reached critical levels:
  • 68%–72% disapprove of his handling of inflation.
  • 76% disapprove of his handling of gas prices, which have spiked by over 40% since hostilities began in late February.
  • Approval for his handling of the cost of living has dropped as low as 22%. 

Current Conflict Status

The war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, is currently in a state of "brinkmanship" following the failure of high-level negotiations in Islamabad. 

• "Dual Blockade": The U.S. Navy is blockading Iranian ports, while Iran continues a "chokehold" on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting roughly 20% of global oil trade.
• Ceasefire and Negotiations: While a fragile ceasefire has been extended indefinitely to allow for diplomacy, Trump recently rejected a 14-point "war-ending" proposal from Tehran, calling its terms "unacceptable".
• New Military Operations: On May 3, 2026, Trump announced that the U.S. would begin a mission to "help free up" ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz starting the morning of May 4, despite Iranian warnings that this violates the existing truce.

These developments have raised significant concerns among Republicans regarding the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections, as independent voters have notably shifted toward Democrats by a 14-point margin.