Trump's Popularity Plummets as Gas Prices Soar

Former president faces bleak midterm prospects as his approval on economic issues nears historic lows.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 3:06am

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According to CNN reports, President Donald Trump's decision to escalate tensions with Iran has led to a sharp rise in gas prices, severely damaging his political standing. Analysts warn that Trump and his allies in Congress are facing a dire situation, with the former president's approval on gas prices and the economy nearing levels that doomed past presidencies.

Why it matters

Trump's handling of the economy has long been a key part of his political brand, but the current inflationary pressures and high gas prices threaten to undermine that narrative. With the midterm elections looming, these economic headwinds could spell trouble for Trump-aligned candidates.

The details

Trump's self-imposed conflict with Iran has triggered the largest four-week increase in gas prices since 1991, according to CNN analyst Hary Enten. This has led to a collapse in Trump's approval ratings, with only one in five independents and less than three in five of his own base approving of his handling of gas prices.

  • Trump's decision to escalate tensions with Iran occurred in recent months.
  • The largest four-week increase in gas prices since 1991 has happened in the lead-up to the midterm elections.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose political fortunes are being threatened by the current economic conditions.

Hary Enten

A CNN analyst who has been closely tracking the political implications of the rising gas prices.

Kaitlan Collins

A CNN anchor who questioned Enten about the parallels between Trump's economic troubles and those that doomed past presidencies.

Joe Biden

The current president whose approval ratings on the economy have been compared to Trump's declining numbers.

Jimmy Carter

The former president who was toppled by high inflation and economic woes, a fate that Enten warns may befall Trump.

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What they’re saying

“If I was in the White House, I'd be shaking. I'd be shaking in place because there'd be nowhere to hide. And of course, if I was in Congress running at the end of this year, I'd be shaking as well.”

— Hary Enten, CNN Analyst

“You can't win elections when only one in five independents approve of you on gas prices. I mean, my goodness gracious, we're talking about Joe Biden levels right here l when it comes to approving of Trump on gas prices.”

— Hary Enten, CNN Analyst

“Jimmy Carter went down while 44 points underwater on inflation and the economy, said Enten. And Trump is one point away at 45 points. Down he goes, down he goes into the deep blue sea.”

— Hary Enten, CNN Analyst

What’s next

With the midterm elections just months away, Trump and his allies will be closely watching the trajectory of gas prices and inflation in the coming weeks to gauge the political fallout.

The takeaway

Trump's self-inflicted economic woes, driven by his confrontational foreign policy, have severely damaged his political standing and put the Republican Party's midterm prospects in jeopardy. The parallels to past presidencies toppled by inflation and economic turmoil are stark, raising questions about Trump's future influence within the GOP.