President Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 36%, the lowest point of his second term, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released June 18, 2026. The decline reflects deepening voter dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy as gas prices and inflation continue to weigh on household budgets ahead of the midterm elections.
The poll, conducted June 8-11 among 1,340 adults, found that 59% disapprove of Trump’s job performance—a gap of 23 percentage points, the widest Trump has faced in either of his two terms. Just one-third of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, marking his lowest rating on that question in any Marist poll.
Economic anxiety is the primary driver of the decline. According to the survey, 34% of Americans say current gas prices are a “major strain” on their budgets, while another 44% describe it as a “minor strain.” Though average gas prices have fallen about 40 cents a gallon from May, voter frustration persists, with two-thirds of adults saying cost has had at least some impact on their summer plans. Among those not planning a summer vacation—45% of the population—nearly half cited cost as the main reason.
The erosion in Trump’s support cuts across demographic groups that were key to his 2024 victory. Among independents, 64% disapprove of his performance. Among Republicans, 22% disapprove of his handling of the economy, and the share of Republicans who strongly approve of his overall job performance dropped to 53% in June from 61% in April. White Americans without a college degree—a core Trump constituency—now show only one-third approval on the economy, down from nearly half in April 2025.
Trump’s approval had already hit lows in May, with some polls recording 34%—technically lower than the current 36%. The June figure represents a stabilization near historically weak levels for a sitting president less than halfway through his second term, with the Iran war and related energy market disruptions adding to economic headwinds.
Notably, two-thirds of Americans say cost has had some or a great deal of impact on their summer plans, including 53% of Republicans and 49% of those over 60. This broad economic concern cuts across party lines and age groups, suggesting that approval ratings may remain pressured unless voters perceive tangible improvement in their financial situations.
Sources
- Marist Poll — Trump’s approval rating at 36%, lowest of second term; 59% disapproval; 33% approve of economy handling; conducted June 8-11, 2026
- NPR — Detailed analysis of the Marist poll findings, demographic breakdowns, and economic impact on voter sentiment
- The Hill — Trump’s approval rating hit 34% in May 2026 in YouGov/Economist poll, lowest across both terms
