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In this file photo, President Trump speaks about the economy at a rally Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Clive, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall/AP
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Charlie Neibergall/AP
President Trump’s approval ratings have hit new lows, particularly concerning his management of the economy, as concerns over gas prices persist. A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll indicates that only a third of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, which is three points lower than the lowest ratings for Joe Biden during his presidency.
Overall, just 36% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, while 59% disapprove, marking the widest approval gap he has faced during his terms.
In the current midterm election year, Democrats are showing more enthusiasm to vote and see an opportunity to regain control of both the House and Senate. Notably, 22% of Republicans express disapproval of Trump’s economic management. Additionally, the percentage of Republicans who strongly approve of Trump’s job performance has decreased from 61% in April to 53% in June.
Regina Kulenga, a 36-year-old Trump supporter from Georgia, shared her uncertainty about voting in the midterms with NPR, describing Trump’s return to office as a “slap in the face.” She expressed frustration, saying, “The economy is suffering a lot right now, and I just feel like a lot of the things that he did promise, you know, we’re still waiting… Honestly, I was a big Trump supporter in the beginning… and I’m like, someone needs to do something about it because he’s not doing anything right now for the economy but making things, I feel, in my opinion, a lot worse than what they were.”
Despite driving an electric car and not facing high gas prices herself, Kulenga mentioned that her family members are struggling with rising transportation and grocery costs.
Despite a recent 40-cent drop in average gas prices, more than three-quarters of Americans still consider gas prices a financial burden, according to AAA. This survey was conducted before the U.S. and Iran announced an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Concerns about costs have tangible effects, with 45% of Americans saying they don’t plan on taking a summer vacation this year, and about half of them citing financial reasons as the main factor.
The survey, conducted from June 8-11, included 1,340 respondents and has a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points. Participants were contacted through live calls, texts, and online.
Trump — and his economy — continue to be unpopular
Support for Trump is waning across several demographic groups crucial to his 2024 victory.
- Independent voters continue to show 64% disapproval, similar to April’s figures, alongside 94% of Democrats and 18% of Republicans.
- Approval ratings have declined among Gen Z (25%), Gen X (36%), and households with incomes below $50,000 (34%).
- Trump had a 22-point positive rating among rural Americans in February 2025, but now holds a 10-point deficit.
- Latinos disapprove of Trump’s performance by about a two-to-one margin.
When asked specifically about economic management, only one-third of white Americans without a college degree approve of Trump’s handling, a decline from nearly half in April 2025.
Nonetheless, many Republicans continue to support Trump. Greg Votel, a 68-year-old retired law enforcement officer from Minnesota, remarked, “It doesn’t happen overnight… It’s going to take some time, it’s going to probably take at least two administrations. Trump’s got the ball rolling.”
Republicans face numerous economic challenges this year, including high inflation, the ongoing conflict in Iran, increased gas prices, and the Trump administration’s tariff policies, among others.
Those surveyed expressed concerns about how these policies affect household decisions. When asked about summer vacation plans, 55% of respondents said they would take a vacation, consistent with responses in 2025 and 2021. This year, cost was a leading reason for not planning a trip, particularly for those with incomes under $50,000, Gen X, and individuals living outside major urban areas.
Regardless of vacation plans, two-thirds of adults reported that costs significantly influenced their summer activities, including 53% of Republicans and 49% of people over 60.
