A survey by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals a sharp decline in US President Donald Trump's approval for economic management, in a context marked by the escalation of the conflict with Iran and the rise in energy prices.
According to the poll, support for the president's economic management has fallen to 30% in April, compared to the 38% registered in March, reflecting an accelerated deterioration of citizen confidence in his economic policy that already places Republicans below Democrats in this regard.
Weariness from inflation and the Middle East conflict
The survey, conducted between April 16 and 20, coincides with a period of high international instability, during which the Strait of Hormuz has suffered intermittent closures and reopenings, directly impacting energy markets.
In this context, general support for Trump also drops to 33%, while only 32% of Americans approve of his handling of the conflict with Iran, a figure that remains stagnant compared to the previous month.
The cost of living, main focus of wear and tear
The most critical data for the White House is that related to the cost of living: barely 25% of respondents approve of economic management in this area, in a scenario where 75% of citizens consider the economy "bad" or "very bad".
Inflation, standing at around 3.3% year-on-year, and the rise in gasoline prices—driven by tension in the Middle East—have fueled discontent, even among Republican voters.
Wear and tear also within the Republican electorate
The erosion of support is not limited to the opposition. Among Republicans, Trump's economic approval has fallen to 62%, from 74% the previous month. Among independents, support is reduced even further, to 20%.
The wear and tear is especially visible among those under 45 years of age, where a majority of Republicans disapprove of the president's management of costs.
An increasingly uncertain political climate
The deterioration in approval figures comes at a key moment for the Trump administration, with a view to the upcoming legislative elections, in which the Republican Party seeks to maintain its majorities.
The survey also reflects a growing perception of economic uncertainty, fueled by market volatility and cross-statements about the future of the conflict with Iran.
Meanwhile, the White House insists that the economic and fiscal measures promoted by the president have not yet deployed their full effect, although the data suggest a growing distance between the official discourse and citizen perception.