President Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted to record lows as economic pressures from his Iran conflict and internal Republican tensions threaten his political standing. About one-third of Americans now approve of his job performance, according to a CNN Poll conducted by SSRS and released last week.
The last time a U.S. president drew approval that low was at the tail end of Trump's first term, after the storming of the Capitol by his supporters in January 2021. Two major drags on his popularity have been his handling of the economy and the war he launched on Iran. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed and the status of talks is unclear.
Market Pressures and Energy Costs
Trump lashed out at oil companies on Monday, accusing oil executives of making too much money from his war against Iran. He singled out Chevron, warning it to make gasoline cheaper even though, he said, he is a "big free enterprise guy — nobody bigger." The remarks highlight the political bind created by soaring energy costs, which have emerged as a central concern for voters facing economic strain.
The president's frustration reflects broader market disruptions stemming from the Iran conflict. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, oil supply chains have been severely disrupted, driving up prices at the pump and putting pressure on an administration that campaigned on economic prosperity.
Republican Fractures Emerge
Trump's victory to open the week was winning enough support for Todd Blanche, his former personal attorney, to be confirmed as attorney general. But Blanche, currently acting attorney general, had to officially and permanently squelch the $1.8 billion fund widely seen as a way to pay Trump's political supporters.
CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said Monday on CNN's "The Situation Room" that "for all the drama around this written document from Todd Blanche, it really accomplishes essentially nothing as a legal matter." He said Trump or his attorneys could, in theory, sue to have the agreement reinstated because Trump and his lawyers have not signed the document clawing it back.
Two Republicans, Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, wanted the settlement rescinded in writing and have also argued the GOP should move on, for now, from Trump's SAVE America Act, which would impose new proof-of-citizenship requirements in addition to voter ID conducted in the states. CNN said there's no evidence for the mass voter fraud Trump cites and that the bill has not gained enough momentum to pass, with no time to implement it before the midterm elections.
Neither Tillis nor Cornyn will be on the ballot in November. Tillis is not running for reelection, and his North Carolina seat is considered a strong pickup opportunity for Democrats. Cornyn lost a primary runoff against a more MAGA opponent who won Trump's late endorsement, and Democrats are said to be eyeing Texas.
Internal Turmoil
Trump also said Jeanine Pirro, his handpicked U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., "choked" after court papers acknowledged that a botched rehab by the Interior Department, not vandalism, caused setbacks in the renovation of the Reflecting Pool. Trump said Monday that he had the idea of applying material meant for swimming pools to the 100-plus-year-old landmark. "She folded like an umbrella," Trump said of Pirro. CNN reported that Trump is now considering removing Pirro from her position.
Another Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, inserted language into a spending bill to block, for now, a rule proposed by Trump's Office of Management and Budget that would give political appointees, rather than subject experts, more power over federal grants. CNN said Collins is the only Republican running for reelection in a state Trump won in 2024 and is locked in a tight reelection battle.
Why This Matters:
The convergence of economic pressures from the Iran conflict and internal Republican divisions reveals significant vulnerabilities heading into midterm elections. Energy costs remain a core concern for voters who prioritize economic stability, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz represents a direct threat to market function and consumer purchasing power. Republican senators pushing back on Trump's initiatives signal concerns about electoral viability in competitive races. The fracturing over the SAVE America Act and federal grant procedures suggests growing unease with executive overreach even within the president's own party. Collins's position is particularly telling: she's defending institutional expertise against political control in a tight race. These dynamics could reshape Republican strategy and voter sentiment as November approaches.