Trump Approval at Second-Term Lows Across Multiple Polls — Silver Bulletin Net -18.9; Pew 34%; Quinnipiac 38%; Only 25% Among Independents

Multiple polls released in mid-May 2026 show President Trump's approval rating at second-term lows. The Silver Bulletin aggregate (Nate Silver) shows ~36.8% approval / 59.7% disapproval, a net of -18.9 — the worst aggregate of his second term. Pew Research (April 20-26) recorded 34% approval — the lowest single poll of the second term. Quinnipiac showed 38%; CNN/SSRS 35%. Among independents, at least one poll showed just 25% approval — a stark erosion from his January 2025 inauguration numbers. Among the Republican base, approval has fallen to ~68% from a high of 95% at inauguration. Key drivers of disapproval include cost of living, national gas prices at $4.52/gallon driven by the Iran war oil shock, and the conduct of the US-Iran conflict. The poll slide comes as Trump returns from Beijing with disputed claims of trade deal breakthroughs that China has not confirmed.