Trump Approval Hits Record Low: Iran War, Gas Prices, Inflation, Ballroom Costs Inspire Voters To Give The President A Disapproval Rating Of 65%

President Donald Trump now has a record-low approval rating of 33% and a disapproval rating of 65%, according to new polling research from Reuters/Ipsos.

The new numbers reflect public sentiment over the ongoing Iran war, which has dragged on for 6 months, along with rising fuel and food prices, allegations of White House self-dealing, and also inflation.

Voters have also expressed dismay with Trump’s focus on costly taxpayer-funded projects such as the nearly $1 billion ballroom being constructed in Washington, D.C., which is replacing what had been the White House’s Historic East Wing.

As the midterms approach, the new numbers are inching closer to the numbers clocked by the late former President Jimmy Carter in the run up to Carter’s eventual landslide loss in the 1980 presidential election: Carter’s low point reached 28% in 1979 and stood at 34% at the end of his term. In the 1980 race, Carter’s fellow Democrats lost a 35 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 seats in the Senate.

Republican Ronald Reagan would unseat Carter and win 44 states and 489 electoral votes–a record victory.

Carter’s loss came amid voter dissatisfaction with Carter’s foreign policy entenglement–also in Iran: Ironically, both Carter’s and Trump’s presidencies encountered severe economic friction tied to Middle Eastern energy shocks and conflicts involving Iran, leading to domestic fuel and price volatility.

Meanwhile, Trump told reporters Sunday that his endorsements in elections are “stronger than ever”.

“My Endorsements are stronger than ever — Not to mention the fact that good people are getting elected that never had the chance,” Trump said Sunday on Truth Social, pointing to 254 candidates he supported who won their races this election season.

In recent weeks, however, candidates endorsed by Trump have fallen short in congressional races in Florida, Tennessee, and Michigan.

Trump’s endorsement influence will be tested again today in South Carolina where Trump’s chosen candidate, Darline Graham, sister of the late Senator Lindsay Graham, is trying to fend off a challenge from Republican Congressman Ralph Norman.

Senator Lindsay Graham passed away unexpectedly last month. His sister was appointed as interim U.S. Senator to replace her brother but must win the nomination in today’s GOP primary in order to earn the Republican nod to face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician and professor, in November.

Darline Graham recently garnered a wave of negative headlines when she admitted she wasn’t very familiar with foreign policy. Polls have shown a tied race between her and Norman.

And although South Carolina is one of the most reliable Republican states in the county, Dr. Andrews is proving to be a formidable challenger in the run-up to the November general election. Polling of the November election has shown Andrews competitive against a field of Republican candidates.