According to the article, what is Donald Trump's current approval rating on handling the cost of living, and how does it compare to his ratings on other major issues?

According to a New York Times/Siena poll of registered voters in early May, Trump’s approval on handling the cost of living is underwater by 42 percentage points — worse than his rating on handling the economy (minus 31 points) and the unpopular war in Iran (minus 34 points).

What specific policy actions does the article identify as contributing to inflation under Trump’s administration?

The article identifies four key inflationary actions: (1) the April 2025 round of ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, which the Yale Budget Lab found raised durable goods prices by up to 3.8% over 13 months; (2) the termination of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, leading to a 58% average jump in insurance premiums and a 37% rise in deductibles to a record $3,706; (3) a zero-regulation approach to AI combined with canceling wind power projects, exacerbating rising electricity costs — with household energy prices up 6.4% year-over-year in April; and (4) the war against Iran, which prompted Tehran to strangle the Strait of Hormuz and sharply curtail global oil and gas supply, driving up gasoline prices.

Inflation Won Trump Presidency, But Could Cost Him Midterms

May 30, 2026

Political analysis links Trump's inflationary policies, including tariffs and energy disruptions, to potential midterm losses. Rising oil, gas, and durable goods prices drive voter dissatisfaction despite election success.

theguardian

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