Posted on Friday, June 26, 2026

|

by Shane Harris

|

86 Comments

|

Print

A new poll shows President Donald Trump’s approval rating soaring as oil prices plummet amid news of a ceasefire with Iran.

A survey of 1,000 likely midterm voters fielded June 17-23 by the polling firm McLaughlin & Associates found that 50 percent of respondents approved of Trump’s job performance, while 46 percent disapproved. A majority who said they were familiar with the terms of Trump’s announced ceasefire deal with Iran – 51 percent – also said they approved of the agreement.

Importantly, key elements of Trump’s ceasefire received broad bipartisan support. 76 percent of respondents approve of requiring that Iran “never produce a nuclear weapon, backed by American and international inspections to verify compliance” – the backbone of the agreement. Only 14 percent disapproved of that provision.

75 percent of respondents also said they approve of the ceasefire’s terms requiring Iran to stop funding international terrorism directed at Israel and other nations. Again, support cut across party lines.

However, McLaughlin also found that support for the ceasefire deal was strongly correlated with where respondents got their news from. Voters who rely primarily on right-of-center media supported the deal 72 percent to 17 percent, while voters who rely on left-of-center media opposed it 54 percent to 35 percent. Those who do not regularly watch cable news support it 42 percent to 36 percent.

Trump’s approval rating surge is also undoubtedly linked to falling oil prices as the market sees optimism for the end of hostilities in Iran and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices dropped to just under $70 a barrel by 6 a.m. Friday, June 26, a day after the BBC reported that oil had reached the lowest level since before the Iran conflict. Oil topped out at $112 a barrel on April 7 and was $82 a barrel as recently as June 2.

Gas prices are falling as well. The average price for a gallon of regular gas was $3.90 as of Friday morning, down from $4.49 and closer to what it was a year ago at $3.22.

There are still a few hurdles ahead to bring the Iran conflict to a conclusion and fully restore the global oil supply chain. While some ships are now making their way through the Strait of Hormuz, shipping companies say the waterway is far from safe and threats remain. Additionally, Iranian leaders have repeatedly threatened to walk away from negotiations, only for Trump to bring them back to the table with threats of renewed military strikes.

But what the McLaughlin poll reveals is that while Trump’s approval rating is closely tied to his ability to land a ceasefire deal that keeps Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon – as well as fuel prices – Americans are generally trusting of the president’s leadership. The next few weeks will be a critical test for that delicate arrangement.

Shane Harris is the Editor-in-Chief of AMAC Newsline. You can follow him on X @shaneharris513.