Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 37%, the lowest level since he returned to office in January 2025, according to a New York Times/Siena poll released Monday. The decline comes amid mounting frustration over the cost of living and the US-Israel war on Iran, with nearly two-thirds of voters saying entering the conflict was the wrong decision.
The poll, conducted as November's midterm elections approach, shows that 64% of US voters disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy—an issue long considered his political strength. A majority also gave him poor marks on managing the cost of living, immigration and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Among independent voters, 47% said his policies have personally hurt them, up from 41% last autumn.
The economic impact of the war has been severe, with the average US fuel price rising to almost $4.52 per gallon, up from $3.18 a year ago. Last week, Trump said, 'I don't think about Americans' financial situation,' when asked if economic hardship was motivating him to seek a peace deal with Iran.
The decline in approval has been gradual but accelerated after the US joined Israel in striking Iran in late February. By October 2025, Trump's rating had already fallen to 42%, erasing goodwill from his election victory. The administration's heavy-handed deportation policies, including incidents where two US citizens were killed by federal agents, also undermined support.
John Johnson, a 78-year-old contractor from Kentucky who voted for Trump, told the Guardian: 'Everybody's suffering from gas prices. Is it handled right? I don't think so. It could have been handled differently, diplomatically more so.'
The poll does not indicate a clear advantage for Democrats, however. Only 26% of voters said they were satisfied with the Democratic party, and 44% of Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with their own party.
