Trump's Economic Approval Hits Record Low in June 2026 Marist Poll

A new Marist Poll released June 18, 2026, reveals that President Donald Trump's approval rating on his handling of the economy has fallen to its lowest level ever recorded in the survey, at just 33%. This marks a significant drop, with 60% of Americans expressing disapproval. The overall approval rating for President Trump also hit the lowest point of his second term, standing at 36%, while disapproval reached 59%, tying the highest figure from the previous month. The 23-point gap between approval and disapproval is the widest ever recorded for Trump in any Marist Poll across both his terms.

The economic dissatisfaction is particularly notable among independents and a growing segment of Republicans. Among independents, 64% disapprove of Trump's overall job performance, and 65% disapprove of his economic management. Meanwhile, 22% of Republicans now disapprove of the president's handling of the economy, with 17% disapproving of his overall performance. This erosion of support within his own party underscores the breadth of the economic discontent.

Gas prices remain a major pain point for many Americans. Despite average U.S. prices dropping about 40 cents per gallon from May to June 2026, according to AAA, 34% of Americans still describe current gas prices as a "major strain," a figure nearly unchanged from the previous month. An additional 44% consider it a "minor strain," while only 22% report no strain at all.

The economic pressures are also affecting summer vacation plans. While 55% of Americans plan to take a vacation this summer—consistent with 2025 and 2021—two-thirds say costs have influenced their plans. Income plays a significant role: 63% of those earning $50,000 or more plan a vacation, compared to just 39% of those earning less. Among the 45% not vacationing, cost is the primary reason for 49%.

The survey was conducted June 8–11, 2026, by the Marist Poll in partnership with NPR and PBS News, polling 1,340 adults nationwide with a margin of error of ±3.0 percentage points.