With gas prices surging, more than eight in 10 Americans say pain at the pump is straining their household budgets, and a strong majority blames President Trump, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. The survey of 1,322 respondents was conducted April 27–30 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.
The poll finds Trump more unpopular than at any point in this survey series, with steep declines among several key groups since his second-term inauguration. Most Americans say the economy isn’t working for them, and the Iran war — which has helped drive higher fuel costs — continues to be broadly unpopular. Those dynamics have given Democrats a clear midterm advantage: on a congressional ballot test conducted today, Democrats lead 52%–42%.
Trump’s overall approval stands at 37% while 59% disapprove, the highest disapproval level recorded for him in the Marist series. Strong disapproval is at 51%, tied for his worst mark. Significant drops show up among voters who had been supportive early in his second term, including residents of the South, people earning under $50,000, white men and women without college degrees, millennials, men, parents of children under 18, rural voters, and men in small cities and suburbs. Losses are also visible among white evangelical Christians and crossover voters such as younger and many Black and Latino voters.
Republican backing has softened too. In February 2025, 88% of Republicans approved of Trump’s job performance (10% disapproved). Now 81% approve and 18% disapprove — a 15-point net decline in about a year.
Economic dissatisfaction is central. Just 35% approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, tied for his worst mark in the poll. Gas prices averaged $4.48 a gallon nationally as of May 5 (AAA), up from below $3 a gallon before the Iran war. Eighty-one percent of respondents say current gas prices strain their household budget, including 79% of Republicans. By a 63%–37% margin, respondents say they blame Trump for the rise in gas prices; that includes about one-third of Republicans.
A majority (56%) consider their area not very affordable or not affordable at all. Specific groups reporting the economy is not working for them include white non-college women (72%), households under $50,000 (71%), millennials (69%) and ages 18–29 (65%).
Concerns about artificial intelligence are growing: eight in 10 believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates, up 12 points from last year.
On foreign policy and Iran, Trump’s approval for his handling of the situation is 33%, down from 36% in March. Seventy-two percent of Republicans approve of his Iran policy, down seven points. By a 61%–38% margin, respondents say the military action in Iran has done more harm than good, and 62% say Trump’s decisions have weakened the United States on the world stage.
The midterm picture shows Democrats with an edge both on the ballot test and on voter enthusiasm. Democrats are 8 points more likely than Republicans to say they are “very enthusiastic” to vote (61% vs. 53%). There is a 14-point enthusiasm gap between those who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and those who voted for Trump (61% vs. 47%). Just 38% of independents say they are very enthusiastic.
Typical midterm turnout patterns may amplify the advantage: midterm turnout historically falls from presidential years, and many key groups show low enthusiasm now. Most enthusiastic groups include those 60+ (68%), white college men (68%), white college graduates (64%), those 45 and older (61%), and college graduates generally. Least enthusiastic are ages 18–29 (34%), Gen Z (35%), millennials (37%), households under $50,000 (37%), Black voters (39%), parents with children under 18 (40%), Latinos (42%), white women without degrees (45%) and Trump voters (47%).
Other findings:
– 74% support requiring government-issued photo ID to vote, including 51% of Democrats.
– 65% support requiring a passport or birth certificate to register to vote.
– 80% support a maximum age limit for members of Congress.
– 83% support term limits for members of Congress.
– 53% oppose automatic registration into the military’s Selective Service; partisans are divided — 68% of Republicans favor automatic registration, while 30% of Democrats do.
Six months before congressional elections, Democrats hold the advantage on the ballot and in enthusiasm, but turnout will be a crucial determinant of how those early leads translate into actual results.