Majority Of Voters Blame Trump For Recent Rise In Gas Prices, Trump Job Approval Holds Steady At 38%, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 64% Think Threat To End 'A Whole Civilization' Was Unacceptable

As the U.S. war with Iran drives up gasoline prices, 65 percent of voters blame President Donald Trump either a lot (51 percent) or some (14 percent) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 34 percent blame Trump either not much (11 percent) or not at all (23 percent), according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of registered voters released today.

Among Republicans, 22 percent blame Trump either a lot (9 percent) or some (13 percent) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 76 percent blame Trump either not much (23 percent) or not at all (53 percent).

Among Democrats, 97 percent blame Trump either a lot (91 percent) or some (6 percent) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 1 percent blame Trump not much.

Among independents, 73 percent blame Trump either a lot (53 percent) or some (20 percent) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 25 percent blame Trump not much (10 percent) or not at all (15 percent).

"From regular to premium to diesel, for many, pain at the pump rhymes with Trump. Sixty-five percent of voters say, 'when filling 'er up,' the president shoulders blame for the price spike," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

PRESIDENT TRUMP

Thirty-eight percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 55 percent disapprove, essentially unchanged from Quinnipiac University's March 25 poll.

In today's poll, Republicans (88 - 7 percent) approve of the way Trump is handling his job, while Democrats (97 - 3 percent) and independents (63 - 27 percent) disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job.

TRUMP: THE ECONOMY

Thirty-eight percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling the economy, while 57 percent disapprove.

The president's 38 percent approval rating for his handling of the economy matches an all-time low for both of his terms that was reached in Quinnipiac University's March 25, 2026 and October 22, 2025 polls.

TRUMP: IRAN

Thirty-six percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation with Iran, while 58 percent disapprove.

This is largely unchanged from Quinnipiac University's March 25 poll when 34 percent approved and 59 percent disapproved.

U.S. MILITARY ACTION

Forty percent of voters support the U.S. military action against Iran, while 53 percent oppose it, virtually unchanged from Quinnipiac University's March 25 poll.

TRUMP THREAT

Voters were asked about a threat made by President Trump before the negotiated cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran when he said "a whole civilization will die tonight..." if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz.

Sixty-four percent of voters think this threat was not acceptable, while 28 percent think this threat was acceptable.

Before the negotiated cease-fire, President Trump talked about the United States bombing power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran.

Voters were asked, in the event that negotiations between the United States and Iran do not succeed, would they support or oppose the United States bombing power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran.

Sixty-five percent of voters say they would oppose the United States bombing power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran, while 29 percent say they would support it.

"Voters have no taste for a leap from military targets to civilian ones that would harm Iran's general population or for the ominous language about a potential end game for Iran," added Malloy.

EXPECTATIONS

A vast majority (68 percent) of voters think the U.S. military action against Iran will last months or longer, with 36 percent thinking months, 13 percent thinking about a year, and 19 percent thinking longer than that. Twenty-four percent of voters think the U.S. military action against Iran will last days (4 percent) or weeks (20 percent).

U.S. AND IRAN WORLD POSITIONS

Voters were asked about the United States' position in the world as a result of the U.S. military action against Iran. Forty-five percent say the U.S. is in a weaker position in the world as a result of the U.S. military action against Iran, 30 percent say the U.S. is in a stronger position in the world, and 22 percent say the U.S. military action against Iran has not changed the United States' position in the world.

Voters were asked about Iran's position in the world as a result of the U.S. military action against Iran.

Forty-seven percent say Iran is in a weaker position in the world as a result of the U.S. military action against Iran, 23 percent say Iran is in a stronger position in the world, and 23 percent say the U.S. military action against Iran has not changed Iran's position in the world.

1,028 self-identified registered voters nationwide were surveyed from April 9th - 13th with a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points, including the design effect.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on probability-based samples using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll

Email poll@qu.edu or follow us on X @QuinnipiacPoll.