U.S. News
United States · Direct U.S. connection
Trump Approval Hits Low as US Economy Concerns Rise Amid Soaring Energy Costs President Donald Trump's approval ratings have fallen to 31% in October 2026, coinciding with widespread negative views of the economy and significant increases in energy costs.
By PrimaryBrief newsroom Published Oct 20, 2026, 10:14 AM EDT
Original PrimaryBrief article graphic. Not a photograph of the event. THE PRIMARY BRIEF 01 · The primary finding President Donald Trump's approval rating dropped to 31% in October 2026, as 75% of Americans rated the economy negatively and energy costs saw significant year-over-year increases [11] [6] [7] .
02 · The primary evidence A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Trump's approval at 31%, while 48% of Washington Post-ABC poll respondents reported being financially worse off since January 2025, the highest since 1986 [11] [6] . From September 2025 to September 2026, gasoline prices rose 34.2% and fuel oil prices surged 74.2% [7] .
03 · Why it matters Declining public confidence in the economy and high energy costs directly impact household budgets and could influence upcoming political dynamics in the United States [6] [7] .
45 cited sources · 42 independent publishers
President Donald Trump's job approval rating dropped to 31% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll in October 2026, as 75% of Americans rated the economy negatively [11] [6] . This marks a significant decline in public confidence regarding his economic leadership since his return to office in January 2025 [6] .
The public's dim view of the economy and high energy prices could influence upcoming political events and impact household budgets across the country. Specific cost increases, such as a 34.2% rise in gasoline prices and a 74.2% surge in fuel oil prices, directly affect daily living for many Americans [7] .
What the records show The timeline What changed and for whom What the subject has said publicly What we could not confirm SHOW YOUR WORK
Evidence cited (45) ↗ 1. How is the US economy really doing under President Trump?↗ 2. Trump’s approval ratings plummet: what that means for the US midterms↗ 3. Tamara Keith and Carrie Dann on Trump's approval rating hitting a record low↗ 4. Americans Are Spending More Money to Drive Worse Cars↗ 5. AI Selloff Returns, Oil Tops $110 a Barrel↗ 6. Most Americans think Trump is using presidency to enrich himself, new poll finds↗ 7. From September 2025 to September 2026, prices for gasoline increased 34.2 percent. Over the same period, prices for fuel oil rose 74.2 percent, and airline fares were up 22.4 percent. Piped natural gas prices increased 5.0 percent, and ...↗ 8. President Donald Trump announced at a Kansas rally on Monday that his administration is introducing an $8 billion aid package for farmers in the face of high diesel and fertilizer costs.↗ 9. The president campaigned on a promise to cut energy bills and attack inflation, but many voters say their expenses are rising faster than their paychecks.↗ 10. Trump on 'Affordability Crisis' as 96% of Republicans Say It's Real: Poll↗ 11. Trump Approval Falls to 31% in Reuters/Ipsos Poll Ahead of November 3 Midterms↗ 12. Trump approval hits record-low 31 percent, polls show Republican struggles on social media↗ 13. US President Donald Trump's job approval rating has hit 34%, tied for a record low across both his presidential terms in the July 25–27 Economist/YouGov poll.↗ 14. Oil prices surged; here is Pluang's Energy sector snapshot as of Oct 20, 2026 17:21 WIB: Out of 79 priced US Energy stocks, 51 rose and 22 fell. Kosmos Energy Ltd. shares rose 2.15% to USD 2.85 with a typical hold time of 3 days. Solaredge Technologies Inc. shares fell 2.03% to USD 30.43, with 99% buy order activity and a 34-day hold time. Centrus Energy Corp shares dropped 1.93% to USD 108.00, with 72% buy order activity and ...↗ 15. Oil prices fall, Brent at US$109.06 per barrel↗ 16. Global crude oil price rose in trading on Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 13.58 WIB. Brent Oil Price Development Over the Last Three Months. A Font Kecil; A Font Sedang ...↗ 17. U.S. futures are mostly lower as artificial intelligence stocks come under pressure again and oil prices rose amid sporadic fighting in the Middle East. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 1.6% to $111.25 a barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude jumped 2% to $100.55 a barrel. Uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the energy industry to return to normal means oil prices are unlikely to ease any time soon. The death toll from a Houthi missile strike on a government military camp in↗ 18. What Will Happen to the Oil Price Over the Next Few Quarters?↗ 19. Trump just wrapped up a major speech to the New York Economic Club, in which he outlined his vision to make life affordable for Americans again — and contrasted his record of prosperity and opportunity with Kamala's record of Radical Left lunacy.↗ 20. Advancing Women's Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life↗ 21. Today, President Donald J. Trump, alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make $8 billion available for one-time payments to American farmers this harvest season to provide relief during temporary market disruptions and increased input costs.↗ 22. Trump Is Sabotaging the Midterms—for Himself↗ 23. Poll Shows Low Support For Trump's Economic Policies↗ 24. Views of Trump’s Job Performance | Pew Research Center↗ 25. Trump defends economy as new poll reveals 65% disapproval over high prices↗ 26. Trump defends economy as new poll reveals 65% disapproval over high prices↗ 27. The Fox News Poll: Frequently Asked Questions↗ 28. Fox News Poll: Cost-of-living concerns weigh on GOP in midterms↗ 29. Trump's Approval Rating Falls Further to Record Low Across Both Terms in Fox News Poll↗ 30. September CPI Inflation Report Highlights. What Is the CPI?↗ 31. United States Inflation Rate↗ 32. September CPI Inflation Report Highlights. What Is the CPI?↗ 33. September CPI Inflation Report Highlights. What Is the CPI?↗ 34. US Congress approval rating↗ 35. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will set aside $8 billion for single payments to farmers during the current harvest.↗ 36. President Trump campaigned in 2024 on promises to lower Americans' cost of living, vowing to push gasoline prices below $2 a gallon and to deliver 2% mortgage rates.↗ 37. U.S. President Donald Trump announced at a Kansas rally on Monday that his administration is introducing an US$8 billion aid package for farmers in the face of high diesel and fertilizer costs.↗ 38. Inflation. Gasoline rose more than 34% in a year and is already pressuring inflation: Trump's bet that it will fall after the elections.↗ 39. Ahead of the midterms, most voters cite the economy and cost of living as top issues and favor↗ 40. Trump Job Approval Remains Low Ahead of Midterms↗ 41. Fox News Poll: Trump Approval Dips to 30%, Inflation Concern Rises↗ 42. FT/Focaldata Poll: US Public Confidence in Trump's Economic Policy Hits New Low↗ 43. Trump Job Approval Rating - July 2026↗ 44. Statement from the White House on the State of the Economy↗ 45. Gallup Poll: Republicans See Affordability CrisisThis report is synthesized from the public records, official statements, filings, court documents and published reporting cited above, and reports official proceedings fairly and accurately. Allegations in civil complaints or indictments are not findings of liability or guilt. Inspect each cited source in the evidence panel.
Submit primary documentation or an official response