HAMDEN – As the U.S. war with Iran drives up gasoline prices, 65% of voters blame President Donald Trump either a lot (51%) or some (14%) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 34% blame Trump either not much (11%) or not at all (23%), according to a Quinnipiac University national poll of registered voters released Wednesday, April 15.
Among Republicans, 22% blame Trump either a lot (9%) or some (13%) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 76% blame Trump either not much (23%) or not at all (53%).
Among Democrats, 97% blame Trump either a lot (91%) or some (6%) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 1% blame Trump not much.
Among independents, 73% blame Trump either a lot (53%) or some (20%) for the recent rise in gasoline prices, while 25% blame Trump not much (10%) or not at all (15%).
“From regular to premium to diesel, for many, pain at the pump rhymes with Trump. Sixty-five percent of voters say, ‘when filling ‘er up,’ the president shoulders blame for the price spike,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
PRESIDENT TRUMP
Thirty-eight percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 55% disapprove, essentially unchanged from Quinnipiac University’s March 25 poll.
In the April 15 poll, Republicans (88%-7%) approve of the way Trump is handling his job, while Democrats (97%-3%) and independents (63%-27%) disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job.
TRUMP: THE ECONOMY
Thirty-eight percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling the economy, while 57% disapprove.
The president’s 38% approval rating for his handling of the economy matches an all-time low for both of his terms that was reached in Quinnipiac University’s March 25, 2026, and October 22, 2025, polls.
TRUMP: IRAN
Thirty-six percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling the situation with Iran, while 58% disapprove.
This is largely unchanged from Quinnipiac University’s March 25 poll when 34% approved and 59% disapproved.
U.S. MILITARY ACTION
Forty percent of voters support the U.S. military action against Iran, while 53% oppose it, virtually unchanged from Quinnipiac University’s March 25 poll.
TRUMP THREAT
Voters were asked about a threat made by President Trump before the negotiated cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran when he said “a whole civilization will die tonight…” if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz.
Sixty-four percent of voters think this threat was not acceptable, while 28% think this threat was acceptable.
Before the negotiated cease-fire, President Trump talked about the United States bombing power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran.
Voters were asked, if negotiations between the United States and Iran fail, would they support or oppose the United States bombing power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran.
Sixty-five percent of voters say they would oppose the United States bombing power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran, while 29% say they would support it.
“Voters have no taste for a leap from military targets to civilian ones that would harm Iran’s general population or for the ominous language about a potential end game for Iran,” Malloy said.
1,028 self-identified registered voters nationwide were surveyed from April 9-13 with a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points, including the design effect.
