President Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 32 percent in a Quinnipiac University poll released July 29, marking an all-time low for the pollster’s tracking of his job performance, as a majority of Americans express dissatisfaction with his handling of the ongoing Iran war and mounting concerns about rising gas prices.
The survey of 963 registered voters, conducted July 23-27, found 58 percent disapprove of Trump’s job performance, with just 10 percent offering no opinion. The 32 percent approval represents a sharp six-point decline from June, when Trump’s rating stood at 38 percent.
The erosion extends deeply into Trump’s political base. Among Republicans, his approval fell nine points from June to July, sliding from 85 percent to 76 percent. The collapse among independents was far steeper: his approval plummeted from 59 percent in June to 22 percent in July, a 37-point drop in support among that critical swing group.
A separate CNN/SSRS poll released the same day found a record-high 73 percent of Americans say Trump isn’t addressing the country’s most important problems, with just 27 percent saying he has the right priorities. Trump’s overall job approval in the CNN poll stands at 34 percent, matching the career low he hit at the close of his first term following January 6, 2021.
Iran War and Economic Hardship Drive the Decline
The Quinnipiac poll reveals the specific issues dragging Trump’s approval down. On foreign policy, his approval is underwater at 34 percent approve and 62 percent disapprove. His handling of the Iran situation fares worst: just 28 percent approve while 66 percent disapprove of his management of the conflict.
Support for U.S. military action against Iran has collapsed to 34 percent, with 60 percent opposing it—the lowest support and highest opposition since Quinnipiac began tracking the question in March. According to polling analyst Tim Malloy, “Six in 10 voters want no part of military action against Iran. More than seven in 10 say putting troops on Iranian soil is a no-go.”
Economic hardship is a central factor in the decline. The poll found that 49 percent of voters say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago, while only 34 percent say they are better off. When asked how much they blame Trump for recent rises in gasoline prices, 54 percent said “a lot” and another 19 percent said “some.”
Gas prices have surged above $4 a gallon as the Iran war enters its sixth month. According to Washington Post reporting from July 24, oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel amid intensifying disruptions from the conflict, sending national gasoline prices higher and prompting energy analysts to warn that prices could climb further still. In the CNN poll, just 21 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of gas prices, while 74 percent say rising gas prices have caused them at least some hardship, up from 63 percent in March.
The perception that Trump is not focused on the right priorities is widespread. In the Quinnipiac poll, 68 percent said Trump is not focused enough on addressing the problems most Americans are facing, while only 29 percent said he is sufficiently focused. The CNN poll found 65 percent say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 67 percent believe his military decisions in Iran have hurt the United States.
The polling also carries warning signs for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. If the election were held today, 48 percent of voters would prefer Democrats to control the House of Representatives, compared with 41 percent who would prefer Republican control. Among Democrats, 57 percent report being more motivated to vote than in past midterm elections, while only 39 percent of Republicans say the same—a motivation gap that could prove costly.
Sources
- Quinnipiac University — July 29, 2026 poll release detailing Trump’s 32% approval rating, the decline from June, breakdowns by party and issue area, support for military action against Iran, and voter blame for gas price increases
- CNN/SSRS — July 29, 2026 poll showing 73% say Trump isn’t addressing key priorities, 34% overall approval, approval ratings on Iran and gas prices, and midterm voting preferences
- The Washington Post — July 24, 2026 reporting on gas prices above $4 a gallon, oil over $100 a barrel, and energy analyst warnings of further price increases amid Iran war disruptions
