Poll Reveals Trump Takes Heat for Soaring Gas Prices as Democrats Surge
Gas prices are hitting record highs, and Americans are feeling the pinch. A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals that over 80% of respondents say the pain at the pump is wreaking havoc on their household budgets, with a hefty majority pointing fingers at President Trump.
Trump's popularity has plummeted to unprecedented lows, with many voters expressing dissatisfaction with the economy and the ongoing conflict in Iran, which is directly fueling those rising gas prices. As the midterm elections loom just six months away, Democrats are riding a wave of momentum, leading by 10 points in congressional ballot tests.
Voter enthusiasm is crucial in midterms, and right now, Democrats are outpacing Republicans in excitement to hit the polls. But the wild card remains independents and key demographics that are less than thrilled about either party.
The survey, conducted from April 27-30 with 1,322 participants, shows a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. Only 37% of respondents approve of Trump's overall performance, while a staggering 59% disapprove—marking his highest disapproval rating ever recorded in this poll.
Digging deeper into the data reveals alarming declines among critical voter groups that once supported Trump. This includes white men and women without college degrees, millennials, and parents of young children. Even his base—white evangelical Christians and rural voters—are showing signs of discontent.
Republican support has also waned; in February 2025, Trump's approval rating was a robust +78 points among Republicans. Now, it sits at +63, reflecting a significant drop in just over a year.
Why the nosedive? A cocktail of factors: tariffs, inflation, and now skyrocketing gas prices due to the Iran conflict. Currently, gas prices average $4.48 per gallon nationally—up from below $3 before the war.
By a margin of 63%-37%, respondents blame Trump for these soaring gas prices, including a surprising one-third of Republicans. The economic sentiment is equally grim; 56% say their area is not affordable at all.
Concerns about artificial intelligence are also on the rise, with 80% believing it will eliminate more jobs than it creates—a 12-point increase from last year. Meanwhile, Trump's handling of the Iran situation has dropped to just 33% approval.
As for the upcoming elections, 52% of respondents would choose a Democratic candidate if elections were held today. This gap suggests a potential wave election for Democrats, although gerrymandering complicates the landscape.
Democrats are also leading in voter enthusiasm—61% of them are "very enthusiastic" to vote compared to just 53% of Republicans. The enthusiasm gap widens even further among those who voted for Kamala Harris versus Trump in 2024.
However, turnout could be an issue; only 38% of independents express high enthusiasm for voting this year. Historically, midterm elections see about a 30% drop in turnout compared to presidential elections.
Older voters and white college graduates are most likely to show up at the polls, while younger voters and non-white demographics—key groups for Democrats—are less enthusiastic. The stakes are high as both parties gear up for what could be a pivotal election season.
