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TITLE: Trump inflation approval hits 25% in new poll, worst for any president
META: New poll shows only 25% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of inflation, with overall approval at 34% – a historic low that could shape the 2026 midterms.
Lede
A recent CNN poll found just 25% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of inflation, the lowest approval for any sitting president on that issue, while overall approval slipped to 34% – a career‑low matching the end of his first term.
At a glance
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Inflation approval | 25% (vs. 34% overall) |
| Overall approval | 34% (career low) |
| Fed policy | Federal Reserve held rates steady |
| Gas price | > $4 / gallon (up from sub‑$4) |
| Brent crude | $90 / barrel (up from prior weeks) |
Poll details and economic backdrop
The poll of 1,776 registered voters showed 65% of respondents believe Trump’s policies have worsened the economy, while only 22% say they have improved it. Approval on specific issues was even lower: 28% on the Iran war, 21% on gas prices, and 25% on inflation. The same survey noted that 46% of participants say their personal finances are getting worse. These figures come as the Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged, a decision Trump publicly opposed, preferring lower rates despite the risk of higher inflation.
Economic indicators and market context
Consumer price inflation fell in June for the first time in six years, driven largely by a dip in gasoline prices that later rebounded as the Iran conflict escalated. Gasoline now averages above $4 per gallon nationally, and Brent crude rose to $90 a barrel following new strikes between the U.S. and Iran. Economic growth slowed to a 1.5% annualized pace in the April‑June quarter, and consumer spending showed only modest improvement. Despite resilient labor market data and strong equity returns, the combination of higher energy costs and persistent service‑sector inflation keeps price pressures elevated.
Political implications
Historically, incumbent parties suffer midterm losses when voters are broadly pessimistic about the economy. With inflation approval at a historic low and a sizable share of the electorate attributing economic woes to Trump’s policies, the poll suggests a challenging environment for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterms. Analysts note that the war in Iran and associated tariff policies are easily linked by voters to rising gas prices, further amplifying economic discontent.
The poll underscores that economic perception, not just raw data, is shaping the political landscape. Whether policy moves can reverse the low approval on inflation before the November elections remains an open question.
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jul 31, 2026 · How we report
The decline was largely driven by a temporary reduction in gasoline prices as the Iran war appeared to be moving toward resolution.
The Fed left its key interest rate unchanged, despite ongoing high inflation and a spike in energy prices.
The GDP deflator showed a 6.3% annualized increase in Q2, signaling that inflation across all goods and services is rising sharply.
No, core GDP inflation, which excludes energy and food, also rose significantly, indicating that price pressures extend beyond energy costs.
The sources point to new tariffs on trade partners and the ongoing war in Iran as factors that have pushed up food, gas, and other basic costs.