President Trump's approval rating on handling the economy has declined to 30%, down from 38% in March, according to new polling data. The drop coincides with rising gas prices linked to the ongoing war in Iran.
The survey also found that 72% of Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction, a figure that has remained relatively stable since February. Additionally, 73% of respondents now describe the U.S. economy as poor, up from 66% in February.
Approval on handling the cost of living remains particularly low at just 23%, with 76% disapproving.
What the Right Is Saying
Trump supporters and conservative economists attribute the economic challenges to global factors beyond presidential control. They note that the ongoing war in Iran has disrupted energy markets worldwide, and point out that any U.S. president would face pressure from such international instability.
The Republican National Committee has emphasized that the economy continues to show resilience in certain sectors, and argue that policies aimed at domestic energy production will eventually yield results. Conservative commentators have noted that polling fluctuates with news cycles and that the administration remains focused on long-term economic growth.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive Democrats and left-leaning economists have pointed to the rising cost of living as evidence of economic mismanagement. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has called for stronger action on price gouging and corporate accountability, arguing that working families are bearing the brunt of policy failures.
The Democratic National Committee has emphasized that economic pain being felt by Americans is a direct result of administration policies, citing the administration's approach to trade and energy as contributing factors. Progressive advocacy groups have called for targeted relief for families struggling with inflation.
What the Numbers Show
The 8-point drop in economy approval from 38% to 30% represents a significant shift in public sentiment over one month. The 73% of Americans describing the economy as poor is a 7-point increase from February's 66%.
The 72% saying the country is heading in the wrong direction has remained essentially flat, holding steady from February. This suggests broader dissatisfaction with national direction has been consistent even as specific economic perceptions have shifted.
The 23% approval on cost of living is notably lower than the overall economy approval, indicating Americans feel particularly squeezed by everyday expenses. The 76% disapproval on this issue represents one of the lowest marks for any economic metric tested.
The Bottom Line
The polling data suggests a challenging public perception environment for the administration on economic issues, particularly as gas prices linked to international conflict have risen. While 30% still approve of overall economic handling, the gap between those numbers and cost-of-living perceptions indicates Americans are feeling immediate pressures more acutely than broader economic indicators.
The persistence of the 72% wrong-direction figure, even as specific approval numbers have shifted, indicates enduring pessimism about the country's trajectory. What to watch: whether gas prices stabilize as the Iran situation develops, and whether any improvement in energy markets translates to changed perceptions.