Reuters/Ipsos Poll: 77% of Registered Voters Say Trump Bears Some Responsibility for Gas Price Increase

By Bo Erickson and Jason Lange

*Published: 2026-04-24*

A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that 77% of registered voters believe President Donald Trump bears at least a fair amount of responsibility for the recent increase in gasoline prices.

The poll, conducted April 15-20 among 4,557 U.S. adults including 3,577 registered voters, has a margin of error of 2 percentage points. It found this view held across party lines: 55% of Republicans, 82% of independents, and 95% of Democrats said Trump holds at least a fair amount of responsibility.

The price increase followed U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, air defenses, and leadership. Washington and Jerusalem had determined that diplomatic efforts to halt Iran's nuclear program had failed. The strikes killed Iran's leader and thousands of Iranians. Iran retaliated with attacks on U.S. allies in the region, damaging oil export facilities and disrupting approximately one-fifth of global oil trade. U.S. gasoline prices have since risen to about $4 per gallon, up roughly $1 from pre-conflict levels.

Separately, 58% of voters said they would be less likely to support candidates in the November 3 midterm elections who back Trump's approach to the conflict with Iran. This included 20% of Republicans and 67% of independents.

The ongoing conflict has affected household finances amid the midterm elections, in which Republicans hold a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and face challenges to retaining it, along with risks to their Senate control.

"Right now, it's bad. People are upset," said Sarah Chamberlain, president of the Republican Main Street Partnership, which supports conservative lawmakers. "Republicans are obviously very concerned about maintaining the House, but if we can get through the Iran situation by summertime and gas prices drop back down, or at least go down maybe not to quite the level they were prior to the war, then I think we have a really good shot."

The poll showed 77% of Americans view fuel prices as a very big concern. Respondents were more than twice as likely to expect fuel prices to increase over the next year as to expect a decrease.

Trump won the 2024 presidential election after campaigning on addressing high inflation rates during the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden. He has described the U.S. economy as "booming," including in remarks in Las Vegas on April 16. The White House website states: "WELCOME TO THE GOLDEN AGE!"

However, 70% of poll respondents disagreed that the economy is booming, and 82% said inflation is a big concern.

"Trump has made affordability and bringing down prices a cornerstone of the Make America Great Again movement, and with costs going up in the country, that is a hard circle to square, messaging wise," said Erin Maguire, a Republican strategist.

Maguire added that Republican candidates must address the war with Iran while emphasizing the administration's tax cuts.

The poll also documented a narrowing gap in voter preferences on economic policy. It showed 38% of voters prefer the Republican approach to the economy, compared to 37% for Democrats—a one-point Republican edge. This contrasts with a 14-point Republican advantage recorded in a survey immediately after Trump began his second term in January 2025.

The conflict continues to influence public sentiment on economic issues as the midterm elections approach, with gas prices remaining a key factor in voter concerns according to the Reuters/Ipsos findings.

© 2026 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

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