Overview
- A cluster of national polls released in mid‑May showed President Trump’s overall approval near the high‑30s to low‑30s percent and his economic approval around the high‑20s to low‑30s percent, with one national survey reporting as low as 31 percent approval.
- The University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers recorded consumer sentiment at a final reading of 44.8 in May, the lowest on record, and other polls found a large share of voters blaming the Iran war for higher gasoline costs and falling living standards.
- Multiple mid‑May surveys, including Fox News and AP‑NORC, reported declines inside Mr. Trump’s base: MAGA supporters remain largely positive but non‑MAGA Republicans and independents showed notable drops in economic approval.
- Voters identified the cost of living and inflation as their top concerns, with polls showing steep disapproval on handling inflation and growing numbers preferring Democrats to control the House, signaling increased midterm risk for Republicans.
- Economic data cited by coverage — a 3.8% 12‑month inflation reading with a 0.6% April uptick and national gas averages near $4.50 per gallon — help explain why ordinary households report tighter budgets and rising anger at current policy choices.