As we rolled into Mother’s Day weekend, average national gas prices n the U.S. were hovering higher than $4.50, according to AAA. Polling released this week also showed that most Americans put at least some of the blame on President Donald Trump.
This NPR/PBS News/Marist survey of 1,322 adults was conducted in late April found that 63% of U.S. residents “place a great deal or good amount of blame on President Trump,” for price hikes at the gas pump. That included 89% of Democrats, 32% of Republicans, and 63% of independents.
Prior to the president’s announcement that the U.S. had joined Israel to attack Iran at the end of February, prices were lower than $4. With the fighting in Iran came a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transportation route for much of the world’s oil. As transportation of oil slowed, prices rose. There has been a ceasefire, changes at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other factors that have impacted the situation and gas prices.
Still, prices continue to creep closer to $5 as the season for more expensive summer blend gas arrives. Tension between the U.S. and Iran seemed to be alive Saturday – both The New York Times and CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2026/05/09/world/live-news/iran-war-news reported that a lasting agreement remained elusive and attacks in the region continued.
In addition to blaming Trump for the rising gas prices, the new polling from Marist found that 60% of Americans disapprove of how the president is handling Iran, up from 54% in March. Results varied greatly based on political party, though more respondents from Trump’s own party, the GOP, disapproved of his approach to Iran this month than in March.
Overall, 61% of Americans, including 25% of Republicans, say U.S. military action in Iran has done more harm than good. A similar percentage (62%) think the United States’ role on the world stage has been weakened due to President Trump’s decisions.
A vast majority of poll respondents – eight in 10 – are feeling strain on their wallets from those rising gas prices. Beyond just gas prices 63% of respondents said they do not believe the U.S. economy is working well for them.
Polling from The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos of 2,560 U.S. adults last month also found that most Americans believe gas prices are going to get worse over the next year that Trump’s approval rating had slipped to its lowest level of his second term. Quinnipiac poll results from last month also indicated that Americans blamed Trump for gas prices increasing.
