CNN Analysis: Trump Approval Ratings at Historically Low Levels Across All Demographics as Iran War Drags

A CNN data analysis published May 5–6, 2026 confirmed Trump's approval ratings had reached historically low territory across nearly all demographic groups tracked since his second inauguration on January 20, 2025. The analysis synthesized polls from Reuters/Ipsos, AP-NORC, Pew Research Center, and the Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos survey showing Trump's approval in the 33–37% range — with the polling average net approval at approximately -18.8. CNN highlighted that Trump had lost significant ground with three key second-term coalitions: Latino voters (approval fell 14 points from election-night levels), suburban white women (down 9 points), and older voters over 65 (down 11 points). On the Iran war specifically, 64% of Americans said the conflict was 'not worth the cost,' while 54% opposed the original strikes. The cost-of-living disapproval was particularly pronounced: only 22% of Americans approved of Trump's handling of inflation and household expenses. The Pew Research Center separately found that 56% of Americans said government ethics had declined under Trump — the highest such reading in Pew's tracking — and that just 34% saw Trump as a trustworthy leader. Republican base support had also softened to 78% approval (from 95% at inauguration), reflecting growing concern about the Iran war's costs and the failure to deliver promised economic improvements. Analysts noted the numbers represented the most significant political erosion of any second-term president in modern polling history over the same time period.