Trump's Handling Of Economy Hits All-Time Low, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Voters Prefer Dems To Win Control Of House But Give Them Poor Marks For Current Job

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More than two months after the U.S. launched an attack on Iran and with a jump in oil prices, one third of voters (33 percent) approve of the way President Donald Trump is handling the economy and 64 percent disapprove, the lowest approval on the economy Trump has received in either of his terms as president, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of registered voters released today.

Among Republicans, 73 percent approve of the way Trump is handling the economy, while 24 percent disapprove.

Among Democrats, 97 percent disapprove of the way Trump is handling the economy, while 1 percent approve.

Among independents, 70 percent disapprove of the way Trump is handling the economy, while 27 percent approve.

Today's poll is a change from Quinnipiac University's April 15 poll, when 38 percent of voters approved of the way Trump was handling the economy and 57 percent disapproved. In that poll, Republicans 88 - 9 percent approved of the way Trump was handling the economy.

"What was perhaps the signature issue that propelled Trump to winning two elections sours with voters and cracks form in GOP enthusiasm for his handling of the economy," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

In addition to the economy, voters were asked about Trump's handling of:

  • immigration issues: 40 percent approve, while 57 percent disapprove;
  • trade: 36 percent approve, while 59 percent disapprove;
  • foreign policy: 35 percent approve, while 60 percent disapprove;
  • the situation with Iran: 33 percent approve, while 61 percent disapprove.

TRUMP: JOB APPROVAL

When it comes to the way President Trump is handling his job overall, 34 percent of voters approve of the way he is handling his job as president, while 58 percent disapprove.

This is a slight drop from Quinnipiac University's April 15 poll, when 38 percent of voters approved of the way Trump was handling his job as president and 55 percent disapproved, and is the lowest approval rating for Trump in his second term.

IRAN

Thirty-eight percent of voters support the U.S. military action against Iran, while 56 percent oppose it.

This compares to Quinnipiac University's April 15 poll, when 40 percent supported the U.S. military action against Iran and 53 percent opposed it.

MOST URGENT ISSUE

Given a list of ten issues and asked which is the most urgent one facing the country today, the economy (31 percent) tops the list followed by preserving democracy in the United States (26 percent). No other issue reached double digits.

GAS PRICES

Voters were asked how easy or difficult it is for them to afford gas: 19 percent say very easy, 31 percent say somewhat easy, 28 percent say somewhat difficult, and 17 percent say very difficult.

This is a change from Quinnipiac University's December 17, 2025 poll, when 33 percent said very easy, 32 percent said somewhat easy, 21 percent said somewhat difficult, and 8 percent said very difficult.

Voters were asked how much they blame Donald Trump for the recent rise in gasoline prices: 55 percent say a lot, 17 percent say some, 11 percent say not much, and 16 percent say not at all.

"What was promised to be temporary pain to fill up seems to hurt more as time passes," added Malloy.

CUTTING BACK?

Voters were given a list of current spending habits and asked if they have cut back on them, or not:

  • dining out: 54 percent say yes, while 44 percent say no;
  • entertainment or leisure activities like going to movies, shows, or sporting events: 49 percent say yes, while 47 percent say no;
  • vacation plans: 48 percent say yes, while 49 percent say no;
  • grocery shopping: 43 percent say yes, while 56 percent say no;
  • driving: 36 percent say yes, while 60 percent say no.

FOCUS ON NATION'S PROBLEMS

More than two-thirds of voters (68 percent) think Donald Trump is not focused enough on addressing the problems most Americans are facing, while 29 percent think he is focused enough on addressing the problems most Americans are facing.

"Has the president taken his eye off domestic concerns? Voters suggest it's time to look homeward," added Malloy.

CONTROL OF U.S. HOUSE

If the election were held today, 50 percent of voters would want to see the Democratic Party win control of the United States House of Representatives, while 39 percent would want to see the Republican Party win control of the House. Eleven percent did not offer an opinion.

DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS

Twenty percent of voters approve of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job, while 72 percent disapprove, nearing the all-time low set in Quinnipiac University's December 2025 poll, when 18 percent of voters approved and 73 percent disapproved.

In today's poll, among Democrats, 41 percent approve of the way the Democrats in Congress are handling their job, while 50 percent disapprove.

Half of voters (50 percent) think Democrats in Congress should be doing more to stand up to President Trump, while 42 percent think Democrats in Congress should be doing more to work with him.

Among Democrats, 93 percent think Democrats in Congress should be doing more to stand up to President Trump, while 3 percent think Democrats in Congress should be doing more to work with him.

"Democrats to the legislators they elected: you may be polling as the party of choice to rule the House, but it's time to take off the gloves and take the president to task," added Malloy.

REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS

Twenty-seven percent of voters approve of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job, while 67 percent disapprove.

This compares to Quinnipiac University's December 2025 poll, when 35 percent of voters approved and 58 percent disapproved.

In today's poll, among Republicans, 65 percent approve of the way the Republicans in Congress are handling their job, while 30 percent disapprove.

A majority of voters (56 percent) think Republicans in Congress should be doing more to stand up to President Trump, while 35 percent think Republicans in Congress should be doing more to work with him.

Among Republicans, 80 percent think Republicans in Congress should be doing more to work with President Trump, while 13 percent think Republicans in Congress should be doing more to stand up to him.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION APPROVALS

Job approval ratings for four Trump administration officials:

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio: 40 percent approve, 46 percent disapprove, with 14 percent not offering an opinion;
  • Vice President J.D. Vance: 39 percent approve, 54 percent disapprove, with 7 percent not offering an opinion;
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: 34 percent approve, 55 percent disapprove, with 11 percent not offering an opinion;
  • FBI Director Kash Patel: 30 percent approve, 56 percent disapprove, with 14 percent not offering an opinion.

SUPREME COURT

One third of voters (33 percent) approve of the way the United States Supreme Court is handling its job, while 57 percent disapprove, with 10 percent not offering an opinion.

This compares to Quinnipiac University's July 16, 2025 poll, when 40 percent approved, 53 percent disapproved, and 7 percent did not offer an opinion.

WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM

Voters were asked about the East Wing of the White House being torn down and construction now underway to replace it with a ballroom for large events: 60 percent of voters oppose the project, while 34 percent support it.

Sixty-six percent of voters oppose using one billion dollars of taxpayer money to enhance security infrastructure at the White House as part of the ballroom project, while 29 percent support it.

POPE LEO

Thirty-eight percent of adults have a favorable opinion of Pope Leo, while 12 percent have an unfavorable opinion, and 45 percent have not heard enough about him.

Among Catholics, 54 percent have a favorable opinion of Pope Leo, while 9 percent have an unfavorable opinion, and 35 percent have not heard enough about him.

Two-thirds of adults (67 percent) think religious leaders should voice their beliefs about international conflicts, while 24 percent do not think religious leaders should voice their beliefs about international conflicts.

UFO FILES

In the wake of the Pentagon releasing what it describes as "never-before-seen" files on UFOs, 36 percent of adults believe these unexplained phenomena are evidence of intelligent life on other planets in the universe, while 42 percent do not believe they are evidence, with 22 percent not offering an opinion.

1,106 self-identified registered voters nationwide were surveyed from May 14th - 18th with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points, including the design effect. The survey included 1,316 adults with a margin of error of +/- 3.4 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.

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