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Only 37% of American adults approve of the administration of President Donald Trump, the lowest level recorded since the beginning of his second term, according to a survey by NBC News Decision Desk, conducted by SurveyMonkey between March 30 and April 13, 2026.
The poll, published this Sunday with a sample of 32,433 adults and a margin of error of plus or minus 1.8 percentage points, reveals that 63% disapprove of Trump's management, including 50% who do so emphatically.
The economy and the war with Iran, the major triggers
Two factors are fueling public discontent: the economic situation and the military conflict with Iran.
45% of respondents identified inflation and the cost of living as the main economic problem, a figure that is significantly higher than any other option.
Only 32% approve of Trump's handling of inflation, while 68% disapprove, including 52% who disapprove strongly.
40% of Americans say that their personal financial situation is worse today than it was a year ago, and only 19% claim it is better; both figures are the most extreme recorded in NBC News surveys during the second term.
The year-on-year inflation reached 3.3% in March 2026, its highest level in two years, driven by a 21.2% monthly increase in gasoline prices, which surpassed four dollars per gallon nationwide.
Majority rejection of war with Iran
Regarding U.S. foreign policy, two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the war with Iran, while only one-third approves.
The Epic Fury Operation, launched on February 28, 2026 alongside Israel, destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities and resulted in the death of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei, but also triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, causing the price of Brent oil to surge from $67 to over $126 per barrel.
Trump announced a temporary ceasefire on April 7, but the approval of his management of the conflict did not significantly improve: approximately one-third of respondents still approved of his handling of the war in the days following.
A broad majority of 61% of adults stated that the United States should not take any further military action in Iran, a position that rises to 74% among those under 30 years old.
Erosion within the Republican Party itself
Although Trump retains the majority support of his base, the figures show a significant erosion within the Republican Party.
The 83% of Republicans approve of Trump, four points lower than in the poll conducted in late January and early February of this year, and the "strong" approval dropped six points, from 58% to 52%.
Notably, 26% of Republicans disapprove of Trump's handling of the war with Iran, a higher percentage than the 17% who disapprove of his overall management, indicating that the conflict generates more dissent even within his own party.
Even among the self-proclaimed supporters of the MAGA movement, 13% disapprove of the handling of the war conflict.
Citizen pessimism at its peak and a slight recovery in immigration
Only a third of Americans believe the country is headed in the right direction, while two-thirds think it is on the wrong track, marking the most pessimistic outlook recorded in the NBC News Decision Desk surveys since Trump resumed the presidency in January 2025.
In the migration area, the survey shows a slight improvement: 44% approve of his management in immigration and border security, four points higher than at the beginning of the year, although 56% still disapprove of it.
Despite Trump firing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem on March 5, 2026, and replacing her with Senator Markwayne Mullin, over 60,000 people remain in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, nearly double the number prior to Trump's return to power.
The backdrop: The midterm elections
The results highlight the challenges facing Republicans as they defend their majorities in Congress in the midterm elections scheduled for November 3 of this year.
The frustration of Americans with the economy and the war with Iran stands in stark contrast to Trump's campaign promises for 2024, when he pledged to tackle inflation and keep the United States out of external conflicts.
The percentage of Republicans who approve of Trump's management regarding inflation, currently at 73%, is now 10 points lower than the figure recorded in the summer of 2025.
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