Republicans express increased dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s economic management while mostly supporting him as tensions with Iran persist. A recent AP-NORC poll reveals that approximately 60% of Republicans approve of Trump’s economic handling. This marks a decrease from 80% in February prior to the conflict with Iran. The poll comes as tensions with Iran increase gas prices, complicating a potential permanent ceasefire. Despite economic disapproval, Trump maintains a strong hold on the GOP, evident when his favored candidate defeated Rep. Thomas Massie, a Trump critic, in a recent primary election.
For example, Ariel Gutierrez, a Republican from Wisconsin, usually requires his children to cover gas expenses. With rising gas prices, he now aids his 15-year-old who’s learning to drive. “The Iran issue has exacerbated this,” he said, pointing to the strain on leisure activities.
Outside of his base, Trump remains unpopular. Most Americans disapprove of his approach to Iran and broader foreign policy. The poll places Trump’s overall approval rating at 37%, a slight increase from April’s 33%. Among Democrats, disapproval remains high, with about 70% of independents also disapproving.
Current Economic Approval
Only about one-third of U.S. adults support Trump’s economic management. This aligns with an AP-NORC poll from late April but is lower than at the start of his second term, when approval was at 40%. The economy was a strength during Trump’s first term, but skepticism has grown since he reentered the White House. Republican support for his economic policies has dropped to 63% from 79% earlier this year.
Richard Baumgartner, a Republican from Las Vegas, supports the war, citing higher costs as a necessary consequence. He believes that, although prices are high due to the conflict, they will stabilize once the situation resolves.
Immigration Handling Regains Traction
While the economy remains a challenge, Trump’s immigration stance is gaining support. Early in his second term, about half of U.S. adults approved of his immigration policies. This dropped to 38% earlier this year but has recently rebounded to 45%. Brenda Theiss from Alabama acknowledges his efforts, contrasting it with previous Democratic presidents.
Trump’s administration has adopted less public and aggressive immigration strategies, gaining traction among Republicans. Approximately 80% of Republicans approve of his immigration management, significantly higher than overall job approval ratings.
Foreign Policy and Iran
Trump’s approach to Iran and foreign policy continues to lack broader support. Only about a third of adults approve of how he manages Iran. About two-thirds of Republicans support his approach, although younger Republicans tend to be less supportive. The poll indicates limited change in public opinion on Trump’s foreign policy.
Amanda Wylie, a Republican-leaning independent from Georgia, expresses skepticism about U.S. investment in Iran. She questions the benefits of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, especially given domestic economic concerns.
The AP-NORC survey was conducted with 1,117 adults from May 14-18, using NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel. The margin of error for the poll is approximately 3.8 percentage points.