Trump Approval at 37% in NPR/PBS/Marist Poll Amid Rising Gas Prices and Iran Conflict

President Trump's job approval stands at 37 percent with 59 percent of respondents disapproving, according to an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll of 1,322 adults conducted April 27-30. 1 percentage points, found that 51 percent strongly disapprove. Respondents were reached by live caller, text and online.

The poll shows a decline among Republicans from February 2025, when 88 percent approved and 10 percent disapproved. Currently, 81 percent of Republicans approve and 18 percent disapprove. Trump's handling of the economy draws approval from just 35 percent, while 33 percent approve of his handling of Iran, with 72 percent of Republicans backing that approach.

48 per gallon nationally as of May 5, according to AAA. Before the war in Iran, average national gas prices were below $3 per gallon. Prices went up more than 30 cents a gallon last week as of May 6.

NPR reported that 81 percent of respondents said current gas prices are a strain on their household budget, including 79 percent of Republicans. By a 63-37 margin, respondents blame President Trump for the current increase in gas prices. A third of Republicans said they blame him.

The same 63-37 split said the economy is not working well for them personally. NPR reported that 56 percent said their area is not very affordable or not affordable at all. Specific groups expressed particularly sharp dissatisfaction.

Among white non-college women, 72 percent said the economy is not working well for them. That view was shared by 71 percent of those making less than $50,000 a year, 69 percent of Millennials and 65 percent of those 18-29. Eight in 10 respondents believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates, a belief up 12 points since last year.

The military action in Iran has grown more unpopular. By a 61-38 margin, respondents said it has done more harm than good, including a quarter of Republicans. NPR reported that 62 percent said President Trump's decisions have weakened the United States on the world stage.

Democrats hold a clear advantage for the midterm elections. By a 52-42 margin, respondents said they would vote for a Democratic candidate in their district if congressional elections were held today. Democrats are 8 points more likely than Republicans to say they are very enthusiastic to vote, 61 percent to 53 percent.

NPR reported that 61 percent of 2024 Kamala Harris voters say they are very enthusiastic compared with 47 percent of 2024 Trump voters. Enthusiasm varies sharply by demographics. Among those age 60 and older, 68 percent say they are very enthusiastic to vote, as do 68 percent of white college men, 64 percent of white college graduates, 61 percent of white college women, 61 percent of those age 45 and older, and 59 percent of college graduates overall.

Far lower enthusiasm appears among those age 18-29 at 34 percent, Gen Z at 35 percent, Millennials at 37 percent, those making less than $50,000 a year at 37 percent, Black voters at 39 percent and Latino voters at 42 percent. Independents stand at 38 percent very enthusiastic. The poll also measured support for several election and governance changes.

Seventy-four percent are in favor of requiring government-issued photo ID in order to be allowed to vote, including 51 percent of Democrats. Sixty-five percent support requiring people to show a passport or birth certificate in order to register to vote. Eighty percent support a maximum age limit for members of Congress and 83 percent support term limits for members of Congress.

Views on military registration split along partisan lines. Fifty-three percent oppose automatic registration into the military's Selective Service. Sixty-eight percent of Republicans favor it while 30 percent of Democrats do.

The current Selective Service process requires self-registration.

“With gas prices continuing to surge, more than 8 in 10 Americans said pain at the pump is putting a strain on their household budgets”

“— NPR/PBS News/Marist poll summary The findings come six months before voters head to the polls in November. NPR reported that the combination of economic pressures, gas price increases tied to the Iran conflict and declining approval has produced the lowest approval ratings for Trump ever recorded in the Marist poll across both of his terms.”