Story Highlights
- A new PBS News, NPR and Marist poll shows President Donald Trump facing his lowest approval rating of the second term.
- Only 33 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, with gas and grocery prices driving frustration.
- The White House still has room to recover if the Iran deal helps lower energy prices and voters begin seeing relief before the midterms.
What Happened
President Donald Trump is facing renewed pressure over the economy after a new PBS News, NPR and Marist poll found his approval rating at the lowest point of his second term.
The survey found that 36 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s overall job performance, while 59 percent disapprove. His economic numbers were weaker, with only 33 percent approving of his handling of the economy.
- The poll was conducted from June 8 through June 11.
- It surveyed 1,340 U.S. adults with a margin of error of 3.0 percentage points.
- The results show economic frustration cutting into parts of Trump’s 2024 coalition.
The findings are politically important because Trump returned to office after campaigning heavily on affordability, energy costs and stronger economic management. Voters who backed him in 2024 expected fast relief from high prices, but many households still say gas, groceries and everyday expenses remain too expensive.
The survey found that 78 percent of Americans said gas prices have affected their household budgets. Although prices have fallen from recent highs, many areas are still seeing prices near or above four dollars per gallon, keeping the issue highly visible for voters.
The poll also showed erosion among key groups, including independents, Latino voters, Gen Z voters, rural Americans and some lower-income households. Even among Republicans, 22 percent said they disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy.
Why It Matters
The poll matters because economic approval is one of the clearest warning signs for any president heading into a midterm election cycle.
Trump’s political strength has long been tied to the belief that he can manage the economy better than Democrats. When voters begin questioning that advantage, Republican candidates in competitive districts face a more difficult campaign environment.
Still, the numbers also show a possible opening for the White House. The survey was conducted before the full political and economic impact of the U.S.-Iran memorandum became clear. If the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz helps bring down oil and gas prices, Trump may be able to argue that his foreign policy strategy is already easing pressure on American families.
- Lower gas prices could help improve voter confidence quickly.
- Republicans will need a stronger affordability message before the midterms.
- Democrats are likely to make cost-of-living issues central to their campaign strategy.
For voters, the issue is less about official economic statistics and more about what they feel in their monthly budgets. That makes visible price relief especially important for the administration.
Political and Public Context
The poll adds pressure on Trump at a time when his administration is managing several major fights at once, including the Iran agreement, Russia sanctions, FISA renewal and election legislation.
Democrats are expected to use the numbers to argue that Trump’s economic agenda is failing ordinary families. They will likely focus on gas prices, groceries, tariffs, interest rates and affordability in suburban and working-class districts.
Republicans, however, may frame the poll as a snapshot taken during a difficult period shaped by global energy disruption and the aftermath of conflict in the Middle East. Trump allies are likely to argue that his policies need more time to work and that the Iran deal could soon deliver relief at the pump.
- Trump can point to market gains and falling oil prices as signs of improvement.
- Critics will argue that voters are judging the economy they are living through now.
- The midterm battle may turn heavily on whether household costs improve by fall.
The erosion among rural voters and Latinos is especially significant because both groups helped Trump build his 2024 victory. If those voters remain frustrated, Republicans may have to spend more time defending seats that once looked safer.
What Happens Next
The next several months will determine whether this poll becomes a temporary low point or a longer-term political problem for Trump and the Republican Party.
If gas prices decline, inflation cools and the Iran deal helps stabilize global energy markets, the White House could regain some momentum. Trump is likely to argue that his pressure-first foreign policy and economic agenda are beginning to produce results.
If prices remain high, however, Democrats will have a powerful message heading into the midterms: voters were promised relief, but many still feel squeezed.
- The White House will need visible economic wins before the election season intensifies.
- Republicans will likely focus on energy, trade and national security as part of their economic argument.
- Democrats will continue targeting affordability and household costs.
For now, the poll gives Trump a clear political challenge. He must turn economic frustration into a recovery message quickly, while convincing voters that relief is coming and that his policies are the reason why.
