# Pollster says Trump’s inflation approval is worse than any president in history:...

**Published:** 2026-07-31T09:19:44.982Z  
**Topic:** Inflation  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/b34f3368-c5ca-49ee-9188-8c4de35f6f1d

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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.

1. **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.

2. **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) |

3. **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.  

4. **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.  

5. **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.  

## What to watch  
- **Federal Reserve meeting (Sept. 2026):** Any shift from the current steady‑rate stance could influence inflation expectations and market sentiment.  
- **Upcoming CPI release (Oct. 2026):** A second consecutive decline could ease inflation concerns; a rebound would reinforce negative views of the administration’s economic handling.  
- **Resolution of the Iran conflict:** De‑escalation could lower oil prices, directly impacting gas costs and, by extension, public approval of economic policy.  

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.

## Sources
1. Los Angeles Times — [Trump running out of options to fix inflation, economic woes before election, experts say](https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-07-30/trump-running-out-of-options-to-fix-inflation-economic-woes-before-election-experts-say)
2. Newsweek — [Americans Views on Trump vs. Biden Economies Compared](https://www.newsweek.com/americans-views-on-trump-vs-biden-economies-compared-12205658)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Pollster says Trump’s inflation approval is worse than any president in history:...", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/b34f3368-c5ca-49ee-9188-8c4de35f6f1d