Trump Disapproval Hits Record High in New CNN Poll

A new CNN/SSRS poll reveals that President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 34%, matching the lowest point of his political career, while a record 50% of Americans say they strongly disapprove of his job performance — the highest such figure ever recorded for him. The survey of 1,225 U.S. adults, conducted July 23–27 with a margin of error of ±3.2 percentage points, also found that only 15% strongly approve of the president’s performance, a career low.

Slipping Republican Support

According to USA Today, support for Trump within his own party has eroded significantly. Just 78% of Republicans now approve of the president — a low point for his tenure — and only 19% say they are enthusiastic about the remainder of his term, down sharply from 38% last spring.

The poll also found the president’s priorities are increasingly out of step with the public. A record-high 73% of respondents said Trump has not paid enough attention to the country’s most important problems, while just 27% believe he has the right priorities.

Economic Discontent and Iran Policy

The survey paints a grim picture on economic issues. A majority of Americans, 65%, say Trump’s policies have made economic conditions worse, while 67% believe his decisions on Iran have hurt the United States. The Iran war, now in its fifth month, has disrupted global oil supply chains and driven up gas prices — 74% of respondents say rising fuel costs have caused them at least some hardship, up from 63% in March.

As Forbes reported, Trump’s issue-specific approval ratings are underwater across the board. He receives his lowest marks on three interconnected issues: just 21% approve of his handling of gas prices, 25% on inflation, and 28% on the situation in Iran. The CNN/SSRS analysis noted “significant pockets of disapproval even among his supporters” on these issues.

Meanwhile, 71% of respondents say Trump has not gone far enough to reduce the price of common goods, a steep rise from 58% who felt that way a year ago.

Midterm Implications

The sinking approval numbers arrive with significant implications for the 2026 midterm elections. According to a July 23 Emerson College poll, Democrats hold an 11-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, leading Republicans 53% to 42%. The poll also found that threats to democracy has overtaken the economy as the top issue for a plurality of voters (28%), a 10-point increase from June.

Pew Research Center’s July 23 survey of 3,554 U.S. adults found Democrats with a six-point edge on the generic ballot, with 20% of voters undecided. Notably, 42% of voters said they would cast their congressional ballot as a vote against Trump, while only 22% said their vote would be for him. Pew also found Trump’s approval rating at 34%, with 64% disapproving.

Independent Voters Flee

One of the most striking trends is the collapse of Trump’s support among independent voters. According to Newsweek, his net approval among independents has fallen from -4 in January 2025 to -50 by July 2026 — a dramatic erosion that could prove decisive in competitive midterm races.

Polling averages paint a similarly bleak picture. As of July 29, RealClearPolitics shows Trump averaging 40.6% approval and 57.9% disapproval. The New York Times tracker puts his numbers at 38% approve, 59% disapprove, while Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin reports 39.2% approve and 57.9% disapprove.

Historical Context

Trump’s 34% approval rating matches the career low he reached after the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. By comparison, former President Joe Biden had a 38% approval rating at a similar point in his term in July 2022, according to Gallup. During his own first term, Trump’s approval stood at approximately 42% in July 2018.

The current slide began with the announcement of sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs in April 2025 and accelerated sharply following the launch of military strikes against Iran in late February 2026. Trump began his second term with a 52% approval rating in January 2025.

What to Watch

With the midterms approaching, the combination of Trump’s low approval, Democratic momentum on the generic ballot, and dwindling Republican enthusiasm suggests potential for significant losses for the GOP in November. Key wild cards include the trajectory of the Iran war and gas prices. Trump’s financial disclosures — showing he made over $2 billion in 2025 while in office — have also drawn broad disapproval across party lines.

The president, speaking at a Michigan rally on July 27, pushed back against the narrative. “I’m one day in office and the fake news goes, ‘affordability,’” he said. “We’re fighting to put more money in your pockets and that’s what we’re doing and we’re doing it better than anyone.”