States Where Trump’s Popularity is Tanking Because of Gas Prices

By Sam Stebbins  •  May 27, 2026
Last Stop Gas signage
Photo by Bruno Aguirre on Unsplash

Since the United States began military strikes against Iran in late February 2026, President Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen to historic lows. According to the latest Time/Siena polling data, only 37% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, a three point decline from the start of the war, and lower than at any other time during his second term. While the U.S. war in Iran is itself unpopular, the war’s economic implications have been especially politically damaging for the Trump administration.

Since the start of the war, the Islamic Republic has effectively shut down commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for approximately 20% of the world’s oil. The resulting supply shock has sent fuel prices soaring. As of May 25th, the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. was over $4.50, a more than 50% increase from before the start of the war. Now, with a 54% disapproval rating, public confidence in Trump’s handling of the economy is lower than any other major policy area, according to the latest poll results from Morning Consult, a public opinion research company.

Notably, the price of gas varies across the country, and in some states, prices at the pump are up well over 60% since the start of the war. In many of these same places – some of which voted for Trump overwhelmingly on Election Day 2024 – the President’s approval rating has fallen far more than it has nationwide in recent months. 

Using data from AAA and the polling platform Civiqs, Climate Crisis 247 identified the states where gas prices have climbed the most since the start of the war, and how public opinion of the Trump administration has changed in these places over the same time period. States are ranked by the relative change in the average price of a gallon of gas between February 28 and May 25, 2026. Pre-war gas prices are from the Center for American Progress and current gas prices as reported by AAA. 

Among the 10 states on this list, average gas prices are up anywhere from about 61% to 67% since late February. Trump’s approval rating has remained flat in only one of these states, and has declined in each of the other nine. Trump’s net-approval rating – or the share of voters who approve of his work as president, less those who disapprove – has fallen by as much as six points in the states on this list. 

brown wooden signage on brown field under blue sky during daytime
Photo by Arturo Rivera on Unsplash

10. Colorado

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +60.8% per gallon (+$1.76 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.65 ($2.89 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: -29% net-approve (33% approve, 62% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: -27% net-approve (35% approve, 62% disapprove)

9. Kentucky

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +61.1% per gallon (+$1.62 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.27 ($2.65 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: -4% net-approve (44% approve, 48% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: +0% net-approve (47% approve, 47% disapprove)

8. Oklahoma

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +61.5% per gallon (+$1.52 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $3.99 ($2.47 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: +9% net-approve (51% approve, 42% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: +15% net-approve (55% approve, 40% disapprove)

7. Tennessee

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +61.8% per gallon (+$1.58 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.14 ($2.56 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: +5% net-approve (49% approve, 44% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: +8% net-approve (51% approve, 43% disapprove)

6. Illinois

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +61.9% per gallon (+$1.89 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.94 ($3.05 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: -30% net-approve (33% approve, 63% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: -31% net-approve (33% approve, 64% disapprove)

5. Wisconsin

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +63.3% per gallon (+$1.70 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.38 ($2.68 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: -16% net-approve (40% approve, 56% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: -13% net-approve (42% approve, 55% disapprove)

4. Montana

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +64.1% per gallon (+$1.79 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.58 ($2.79 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: +5% net-approve (49% approve, 44% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: +7% net-approve (51% approve, 44% disapprove)

3. Wyoming

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +64.9% per gallon (+$1.78 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.52 ($2.74 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: +26% net-approve (60% approve, 34% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: +29% net-approve (62% approve, 33% disapprove)

2. Ohio

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +65.9% per gallon (+$1.84 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.64 ($2.80 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: -12% net-approve (41% approve, 53% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: -7% net-approve (44% approve, 51% disapprove)

1. Utah

  • Change in avg. gas price since Feb. 28, 2026: +67.3% per gallon (+$1.87 per gallon)
  • Average price of a gallon of gas: $4.64 ($2.77 pre-war)
  • President Trump’s current approval rating: +1% net-approve (47% approve, 46% disapprove)
  • President Trump’s pre-war approval rating: +3% net-approve (48% approve, 45% disapprove)


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