Trump's Approval Ratings Hit New Low Ahead Of Midterms As Iran War Hurts Americans' Pockets

Trump's Approval Ratings Hit New Low Ahead Of Midterms As Iran War Hurts Americans' Pockets Published By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 19:27 IST The survey suggested that the continuing conflict and rising inflation concerns are beginning to weigh heavily on voters ahead of the crucial US midterm elections. Rapid Read The 2026 midterm elections are crucial for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party because the outcome will directly dictate the legislative viability of his second term and shape the future trajectory of the GOP. (ANI file) As the US remains deeply involved in the Iran conflict, US President Donald Trump has hit a new low in approval ratings during his second term, according to the latest New York Times/Siena poll. The survey suggested that the continuing conflict and rising inflation concerns are beginning to weigh heavily on voters ahead of the crucial US midterm elections, potentially hurting the prospects of the Republican Party. According to the poll, Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 37 per cent — the lowest level of his second term so far. A majority of voters also expressed opposition to the administration’s decision to go to war with Iran, with nearly two-thirds saying the move was the wrong decision. Economic concerns appeared to be a major factor behind the decline. Around 64 per cent of voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 44 per cent said his policies had personally hurt them — up from 36 per cent last fall. The findings come amid worsening economic indicators in recent weeks, including declining consumer confidence, rising prices and growing household debt. Despite concerns over inflation, Trump has largely dismissed fears over rising costs even as average gasoline prices climbed above USD 4.50 per gallon. Also Read | Big Promise, No Delivery: Inside Trump’s $40 Billion Hormuz Transit Insurance Scheme The poll also showed a sharp deterioration in public perception of the economy. The share of voters describing the economy as “poor" rose by 11 percentage points since January, with nearly half now giving the economy the lowest rating. Even Republican voters appeared divided, with roughly half saying economic conditions were only “fair" or “poor". The percentage of voters who believed the US was on the “right track" fell from 37 per cent in January to 32 per cent in the latest survey, driven largely by a 12-point decline among Republican voters. On the issue of cost of living, only 28 per cent of voters said Trump had handled it well, marking a si point drop since January. Immigration, however, remained Trump’s strongest issue, with his approval rating on the matter holding relatively steady at 41 per cent. Why Are Midterms Crucial For Trump? The 2026 midterm elections are crucial for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party because the outcome will directly dictate the legislative viability of his second term and shape the future trajectory of the GOP. Holding a very narrow majority in the House of Representatives and a comfortable cushion in the Senate, Republicans face the steep challenge where the sitting president’s party routinely loses congressional seats during midterms. If Democrats manage to flip the House, it would effectively halt Trump’s domestic agenda, create severe hurdles for raising the debt ceiling, and expose his administration to intense oversight and congressional investigations. For Trump personally, the midterms serve as a direct referendum on his second-term policies, particularly his handling of inflation, global trade tariffs, and immigration. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: May 18, 2026, 19:04 IST News world Trump's Approval Ratings Hit New Low Ahead Of Midterms As Iran War Hurts Americans' Pockets Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...