Poll Finds 81% Say Gas Prices Strain Budgets, Blame President Trump

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll says more than 8 in 10 Americans report that pain at the pump is straining household budgets, and a strong majority blames President Trump for the higher gas prices.

“Republicans would have turnout challenges in the 2026 midterm elections regardless of how President Donald Trump was doing”

CNN

The poll also says the war in Iran has “directly led to those higher gas prices,” while Democrats gain an edge in the midterm elections.

CNN

It finds that 37% of respondents approve of the job Trump is doing overall, while 59% disapprove, and that 81% say current gas prices are a strain on their household budget.

The poll reports that gas prices have surged to an average of $4.48 a gallon nationally as of May 5, according to AAA, and that by a 63%-37% margin respondents blame Trump for the current increase in gas prices.

A Reuters-Ipsos poll described by عرب 48 says Trump’s approval stood at 36%, down from 40% in a similar poll conducted last week, with the decline tied to the cost of living and fuel prices.

The same poll says only 25% of participants endorsed Trump’s handling of this issue, and it reports that 35% of Americans support U.S. strikes on Iran while 61% express opposition.

NPR

CNN’s Harry Enten, cited by الشرق, said Trump’s approval rating has fallen to its lowest level and wrote on X that “It has now reached its lowest point in his second term.”

Enten also warned that low popularity could hinder JD Vance’s path to the presidency in 2028, citing Kalshi forecasts that users’ belief in Vance becoming president fell from 53% to 37%.

With six months before votes are counted this November, CNN’s coverage says the GOP faces turnout challenges in the 2026 midterm elections, pointing to polling that shows Republicans are suffering from a “real deficit” in enthusiasm.

“CNN's top data analyst, Harry Enten, said that Trump's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level, warning that the president's low popularity could hinder his running mate, JD Vance, from running for the presidency in 2028”

Al-Sharq

CNN cites a Washington Post-ABC News poll showing 73% of Democrats said the upcoming election is more important than past midterms, while 52% of Republicans said the same.

CNN also says an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released Wednesday found Democrats’ “very enthusiastic” voting share at 61%, compared with Republicans at 53%.

The Egyptian outlet المصري اليوم, quoting a New York Times report by Shin Goldmacher, adds that anxiety is driven by “the decline in U.S.

President Donald Trump's popularity and rising gas prices,” and it reports Newt Gingrich urging Republicans to “face reality more effectively” to save their majority in the fall.