Trump approval rating sank as gas prices rose heading into midterms

For many voters, dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress' handling of the cost of living and gas prices in the United States fueled a historic night for Democrats in the Nov. 3 midterms.

That deep discontent over gas prices, specifically, has contributed to Trump's unpopularity , with his net approval rating down almost 20 percentage points since the beginning of the year.

On Election Day, the average price of gas in the United States was $4.14, according to AAA . That number was higher than the average in the first week of November in any election year since 1994, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data.

"New election day record: the highest ever national average for gasoline and diesel prices ever on election day," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in an X post on Election Day.

According to an Oct. 8 poll from Navigator Research , 76% of registered U.S. voters disapproved of Trump's handling of gas prices, while only 20% approved. The poll also showed that 73% of registered voters disapproved of Trump's handling of inflation and the cost of living, while just 23% approved.

"President Trump's approval ratings have hit all-time lows in Navigator tracking," the pollster said. "Majorities disapprove of Trump's handling of gas prices, inflation and the cost of living, and foreign policy."

In a USA TODAY analysis of average monthly gas prices from the EIA and net approval ratings from Reuters/Ipsos , Trump's continuous slide in the polls coincides with surging fuel costs.

Gas prices began to surge soon after the war on Iran began back in late February. Now, more than eight months since the start of the conflict, Trump recognized the role the war had in Republicans' bad night.

"I think it's largely true because it drove the gasoline up a little bit short term," Trump said about the war on Nov. 4, with Vice President JD Vance echoing a similar sentiment following the GOP's losses.

"At the same time, if I had it to do again, I'd have to do it again because long term, it's the only answer," Trump continued. "You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."

USA TODAY's Francesca Chambers and Keith Laing contributed to this report.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.