A record-high 73% of US adults say President Donald Trump has not paid enough attention to the country’s most important problems, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS.
Just 27% said he has the right priorities, as views of his approach to major challenges including the war involving Iran and economic conditions have deteriorated.
Worry Over Iran War And Everyday Concerns
About two-thirds of Americans said Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and that his military decisions in Iran have harmed the United States. Roughly three-quarters also said the president is not in touch with the problems ordinary Americans face in day-to-day life.
The survey found growing expectations of a long-term military conflict. Only about one-quarter of respondents said Trump has a clear plan for dealing with the situation in Iran, down from 40% at the start of the war.
More broadly, 62% said Trump is not an effective world leader, compared with 54% who held that view early in his second term. Just one-quarter said the war has been worth the toll in American lives and dollars, with younger respondents showing particular scepticism.
Approval Under Pressure Across Key Issues
Trump’s overall approval rating stood at 34%, matching the career low he last recorded at the end of his first term after the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Half of Americans now strongly disapprove of him, a level that has been high across his terms, while his strongly favourable rating has fallen to a record-low 15%.
Within his own party, his approval fell to a new low of 78% among Republicans. Just 19% of Republicans said they were enthusiastic about the rest of his second term, down from 38% last spring.
Although his ratings remain weak on several topics, the lowest figures were recorded on a set of interconnected issues. Only 28% approved of his handling of the Iran situation, 25% approved of his approach to inflation, and 21% approved of how he is handling gas prices. The poll also found meaningful pockets of disapproval even among supporters.
Discontent With Washington Projects And Personal Interests
The survey also highlighted doubts about projects aimed at leaving Trump’s mark on Washington. A 58% majority said they felt dissatisfied or angry about construction work Trump has undertaken in Washington, DC, including plans to build a new White House ballroom and renovate the Reflecting Pool. Just 17% expressed positive feelings, while 25% said the work did not matter to them.
At the time of Trump’s second inauguration, nearly half of Americans said it was at least somewhat likely that he would avoid conflicts between his family’s business and his work as president. Only 23% said he had done so at least somewhat well.
On Trump’s earnings while in office, 57% said it was a bad thing that he earned more than $2 billion last year, including income from cryptocurrency holdings, royalty payments and property investments. Just 7% said this was a good thing, while 36% said it did not matter much.
More than 6 in 10 respondents said Trump had gone too far in pursuing personal business interests while serving as president, including projects to remodel the White House and other landmarks. Nearly as many said he had gone too far in changing cultural institutions such as the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian.
Republican Base Not Fully Behind Projects
Even among Trump’s base, views were mixed. Only 43% of Republicans said they felt positive about the construction projects, while 35% said they did not matter. Most Republicans said his earnings while president were irrelevant, and those who expressed an opinion were more likely to view them negatively than positively.
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30 July 2026
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