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Trump Approval Rating Falls to 39.7 Percent Amid Iran War and Rising Gas Prices

President Trump's approval rating stands at 39.7 percent with 57.6 percent disapproval in the Decision Desk HQ average. Multiple polls released Wednesday showed further declines, particularly on his handling of the economy.

The Hill
1 source·May 21, 11:10 AM(8 days ago)·1m read
Trump Approval Rating Falls to 39.7 Percent Amid Iran War and Rising Gas PricesThe Hill
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President Trump's approval rating has reached new lows for his second term. The Decision Desk HQ polling average currently shows 39.7 percent approval and 57.6 percent disapproval. The decline coincides with the ongoing Iran war and rising gas prices. The national average for gasoline now stands at $4.56 per gallon, with prices above $4 in all 50 states, according to AAA.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday found 34 percent approval of Trump's job performance. Only one-third of respondents approved of his handling of the economy. The poll showed 73 percent of Republicans approve of Trump's economic handling, down from 88 percent in the previous month's Quinnipiac survey.

Tim Malloy, a Quinnipiac polling analyst, said the results indicate cracks in GOP enthusiasm.

Trump's current numbers remain above his lowest recorded approval rating. He reached just above 37 percent in the RealClearPolitics average in December 2017. Past presidents have recorded lower figures during major crises. Harry Truman fell to 22 percent during the Korean War and George W.

Bush reached 25 percent during the 2008 financial crisis. The AP-NORC poll found only 18 percent of voters strongly approve of Trump's performance, down six points from the same period last year.

Key Facts

39.7 percent
current DDHQ approval rating for President Trump
$4.56
national average gas price per gallon
73 percent
Republicans approving of Trump's economic handling in latest Quinnipiac poll
18 percent
voters who strongly approve in AP-NORC poll

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. Wednesday

    Quinnipiac poll shows 34 percent approval of Trump job performance.

    1 sourceThe Hill
  2. Wednesday

    AP-NORC poll shows 37 percent approval and drop in Republican economic support.

    1 sourceThe Hill
  3. This week

    National gas average reaches $4.56 per gallon amid Iran war.

    1 sourceThe Hill

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Republican candidates face wider generic ballot deficits six months before midterms.

  2. 02

    Support from Black and Latino voters continues to decline according to recent surveys.

  3. 03

    GOP lawmakers may face pressure to address economic concerns before November elections.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score75%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count206 words
PublishedMay 21, 2026, 11:10 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Editorializing 1

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