President Donald Trump's job approval has hit a series of record lows across multiple major polls, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the economy, the ongoing Iran war, and a perception that he is out of touch with ordinary Americans. New surveys from CNN, YouGov, and Quinnipiac all show his approval rating sinking to 34% or lower, with significant erosion among key base groups including white voters, independents, and even Republicans.

The Polls: A Consistent Picture of Decline

The latest CNN poll conducted by SSRS found Trump's overall approval rating at 34%, matching the career low he last saw following the January 6, 2021 insurrection . Half of Americans now strongly disapprove of him—a record high across his terms—while a record-low 15% strongly approve .

The Quinnipiac poll painted an even grimmer picture, putting Trump's approval at 32%, a new low for his presidency . Meanwhile, the YouGov/Economist poll recorded 34% approval, tied for a record low in either of his terms, with a record 62% disapproving—a net approval of -28, also a record low .

These figures represent a sharp decline from the start of his second term, when he enjoyed a 52% approval rating . The drop has been driven by a combination of factors, including the onset of the Iran war, persistent inflation, and a series of controversial domestic policies.

Erosion of the Base: Losing Key Support Groups

Perhaps most alarming for the White House is the significant erosion of support among groups that were once core to Trump's coalition.

• White Americans Without College Degrees: This group, a bedrock of Trump's support, now approves of him at just 43%, with 52% disapproving. The three-week average net approval for this group is -6, the lowest ever recorded, a dramatic fall from the +27 average at the start of his term .

• Independents: Trump's net approval among independents has plummeted to -53, a new low, down from -4 at the start of his second term .

• Non-MAGA Republicans: While almost all self-identified MAGA Republicans still back Trump (+89 net approval), non-MAGA Republicans are now closely divided, with 55% approving and 43% disapproving (+12 net approval). This is a sharp fall from a +84 net approval at the start of the term .

• Gen X (45-64 year olds): This group now disapproves of Trump by a -29 net margin (33% approve, 63% disapprove), a new low, down from a +15 net approval at the start of his term .

Even within his own party, Trump's approval has hit a new low at 78% among Republicans, and just 19% say they are enthusiastic about the rest of his second term, down from 38% last spring .

The Drivers of Discontent: Iran, Economy, and Priorities

The polls point to three interconnected issues driving the public's negative view.

The Iran War

The ongoing conflict with Iran is deeply unpopular. A record-high 73% of Americans say Trump hasn't paid enough attention to the country's most important problems . Specifically, only 28% approve of his handling of the situation in Iran . The Quinnipiac poll found 66% disapproval on his Iran handling, and 60% disapprove of the conflict itself—the lowest since March . A majority, 62%, now say Trump is not an effective world leader, up from 54% . And just one-quarter now believe the war has been worth the toll in American lives and dollars .

Economic Anxiety and Inflation

Economic discontent remains high. The CNN poll found that roughly two-thirds of Americans think Trump's policies have worsened economic conditions . His approval on inflation is just 25%, and on gas prices, a mere 21% . A staggering 74% say rising gas prices have caused them at least some hardship, up from 63% in March . The YouGov poll also found net approval for his handling of global trade at -29, and his tariffs also deeply unpopular .

Priorities and Perception

There is a broad sense that Trump is not focused on the right issues. Just 27% say he is in touch with the problems ordinary Americans face . This is reflected in skepticism about his personal projects; 58% feel dissatisfied or angry about his construction projects in Washington, D.C., including the new White House ballroom and Reflecting Pool renovations . Furthermore, 57% say it's a bad thing that Trump earned over $2 billion last year while serving as president .

Midterm Implications

The polls suggest a challenging environment for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. A Pew Research Center survey found Democrats have a six-point edge on the congressional ballot, with 42% of voters saying they will cast a vote against Trump, versus 22% who will vote for him . An Emerson College poll also showed an 11-point Democratic advantage on the generic ballot . With Trump's approval deeply underwater and his base showing cracks, the political landscape appears increasingly treacherous for the administration.