May 2026
May 2026
May 2026
May Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll: Trump Approval Steady at 43% With Increasing Support on Iran
News Provided By:
Stagwell Inc.
Published Date
Jun 2, 2026 3:40 PM ET
47% OF VOTERS SAY THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION IS WORSENING, A 5-PT. INCREASE
CONGRESSIONAL HORSERACE REMAINS TIGHT AT 51-49 WITH DEMOCRATS HOLDING A 2-PT. LEAD
85% OF VOTERS WANT LOWER TAXES AND BELIEVE NEITHER PARTY HAS A PLAN TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS
60% OF VOTERS SUPPORT A NATIONAL BAN ON GERRYMANDERING AND WANT IT RESTRICTED BY THE COURTS
A PLURALITY OF VOTERS WANT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO BLOCK THE ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND
57% OF VOTERS SUPPORT A REGIME CHANGE POLICY TOWARD CUBA
NEW YORK, NY and CAMBRIDGE, MA, June 2, 2026 (Newswire.com) – Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) today released the results of the May Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 43%. His job approval is highest on immigration (49%) and fighting crime (48%); and lowest on handling inflation (35%) and tariffs and trade (37%). This month’s poll also covered public opinion on the economy, midterms, fraud, gerrymandering, the DOJ Anti-Weaponization Fund, antisemitism, war with Iran, Cuba, and China. Download the key results here.
“The data shows no change in the administration ratings as a result of the ceasefire. The voters appreciate it but are worried Iran is just buying time with negotiations and would back going to military action to achieve the goals,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “Voters were concerned about the economy before the conflict and remain concerned.”
VOTERS INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY
- 31% of voters say the U.S. economy is on the right track (-3 pts., April 2026), and 57% say it is weak today (+5).
- 47% of voters say their financial situation is worsening (+5).
- Inflation and the economy remain voters’ top concerns, with both ticking up in salience (+3) and more voters concerned about national debt and federal budget deficits since last month (+4).
MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE STRONG SUPPORT, BUT VOTERS WANT CONGRESS TO KEEP HIS AGENDA IN CHECK
- 17 out of 21 key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (85% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (80%), and eliminating fraud in government expenditures (78%).
- Trump’s least popular policies include Medicaid cost cuts (46%), hiring additional ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (47%), and tariffs (51%).
- 65% of voters think Congress should be more of a check and balance on Trump rather than work to pass his agenda, including 64% of likely midterm voters.
DEMOCRATS HOLD SLIGHT EDGE IN CONGRESSIONAL HORSERACE; HARRIS AND VANCE LOSE GROUND BUT REMAIN FRONTRUNNERS FOR 2028 ELECTION
- 73% of voters say they are planning to vote in the upcoming 2026 Congressional midterm elections (Democrats: 66%; Republicans: 64%; Independents: 39%).
- 51% of voters say they would vote for a Democrat if the congressional election were held today. The lead widens to 4 points among likely midterm voters.
- 68% of voters have thought about the upcoming 2028 presidential election.
- Kamala Harris (44%; -6) and J.D. Vance (45%; -3) remain the most favored candidates for president among voters from their respective parties. 26% of Democrats favor Gavin Newsom (+4), and 21% of Republicans favor Don Trump Jr. (+3) and Marco Rubio (+5).
VOTERS EXPECT PRICE HIKES FROM TENSIONS WITH IRAN ARE LONG-TERM AS GAS AND GROCERIES BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE
- 56% of voters believe the economy is worse today than it was when Biden was president (+4).
- 77% of voters think inflation is above 3 percent a year (+4), and 57% think the economy is shrinking.
- 51% of voters trust the Trump administration and Republicans to manage the economy more than Democrats in Congress (-2).
- A majority of voters have noticed increases in each of six key spending categories, with 88% of voters noticing an increase in the price of gasoline and 85% noticing the same of groceries/food.
- Most voters say war and geopolitical conflict is the biggest cause of higher gas prices (53%). 58% of voters believe price increases caused by tensions with Iran are long-term and not likely to go back down anytime soon.
- 53% of voters say higher gas prices are not worth the cost, even if it affects U.S. national security goals (+2), despite 73% saying the U.S. should prioritize energy independence.
VOTERS WANT LOWER TAXES BUT BELIEVE NEITHER PARTY HAS A PLAN TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY
- 89% of voters want lower taxes. 52% of voters believe Democrats want to lower taxes, and 50% believe the same of Republicans.
- The majority of voters believe Democrats (54%) and Republicans (53%) do not have a plan to address affordability issues and curb rising prices.
- 55% of voters believe Democrats do not have a plan to curb crime in American cities, while 55% believe Republicans do have a plan.
STRONG MAJORITY OF VOTERS BELIEVE THERE IS A LOT OF FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
- 84% of voters think there is a lot of fraud in government programs, including a majority across political parties. 41% of voters, a plurality, believe it is on the scale of billions of dollars.
- 56% of voters approve of the antifraud and waste program headed by Vice President J.D. Vance.
- 60% of voters say Democrats during the Biden administration rushed a lot of programs that enabled fraud. But 52% of voters say Republicans are more responsible for fraud and waste in the government.
- 54% of voters believe Democrats in Minnesota deliberately ignored fraud in the Somali community.
MAJORITY OF VOTERS BACK A NATIONAL BAN ON GERRYMANDERING AND BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RESTRICTED BY COURTS
- 67% of voters are familiar with gerrymandering, and 41%, a plurality, believe both parties engage in it equally.
- 60% of voters support a national ban on gerrymandering, including a majority across political parties and two-thirds of voters who are familiar with it.
- 52% of voters believe Democrats would support a national ban on gerrymandering, while the same percentage believe Republicans would oppose it.
- 60% of voters believe political gerrymandering should be restricted by the courts (+4), including a majority across political parties.
- 65% of voters say race should not be used as a determining factor when drawing Congressional districts.
DOJ ANTI-WEAPONIZATION FUND SEES SPLIT SUPPORT
- 75% of voters say there has been unfair targeting and prosecution of Americans by the federal government for political motives in recent years, including a majority across political parties.
- 55% of voters think the U.S. government should set up a fund to reimburse Americans who are found to be unfairly targeted. 39%, a plurality, say courts should make the determination of who has been unfairly targeted.
- 55% of voters have heard of Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund. 51% say it is a necessary measure, while 49% believe it is a political slush fund.
- 44% of voters, a plurality, are more supportive of the Fund when told it is nonpartisan, but 49%, a plurality, are less supportive when told it will not be subject to oversight by a federal court.
- 50% of voters, a plurality, say January 6th defendants and Trump pardons should not be eligible for compensation from the Fund.
- 39% of voters, a plurality, say supporting the Fund makes them less likely to vote for a candidate for office, with 40%, a plurality, saying they want their representative to block it entirely.
MAJORITY OF VOTERS SEE ANTISEMITISM ON THE RISE
- 54% of voters believe antisemitism is on the rise in the U.S., with 84% saying there is a lot or some today. 82% of voters say it is important to eliminate it today.
- 55% of voters say antisemitism is coming from both the political left and right equally.
- Voters are split on the effect of news media on antisemitism, with 40% believing news is promoting it, and 39% saying news has no effect on it. 44%, a plurality, believe universities have no effect on it.
- 70% of voters say the Democratic party should reject candidates that call for the destruction of Israel, including a majority across political parties.
STRONG MAJORITY BELIEVES U.S. IS WINNING WAR WITH IRAN; WOULD SUPPORT ANOTHER ROUND OF STRIKES FOR BETTER NEGOTIATIONS
- 72% of voters say the U.S. is winning the war with Iran.
- 74% of voters say Trump was right to agree to a ceasefire with Iran, and 68% believe the Iranians are working to buy time in their negotiations.
- 65% of voters think the U.S. should make Iran ending their nuclear program a non-negotiable condition for peace, and 54% say a pause is not enough to warrant preliminary settlement.
- 66% of voters think the U.S. has the upper hand in negotiations with Iran (+12).
- 59% of voters believe the president would be justified in another round of strikes to get the Iranians to negotiate more seriously if they were to fail to negotiate an end to their nuclear program.
- 62% of voters believe Iran was cheating on its nuclear deal and undertaking banned activities, and 69% think Iran is rebuilding its nuclear capability (+4).
- 57% of voters think the U.S. military strikes on Iran are justified (+3).
- Voters are split 50-50 on whether the U.S. or Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz. 75% say international free use of the Strait of Hormuz is a non-negotiable condition for peace.
- 51% of voters oppose Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict so far.
- 39% of voters say Trump’s Iran actions make them more likely to vote for a Democrat in the upcoming midterms, while 34% say they make them more likely to vote for a Republican.
MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT POLICY OF REGIME CHANGE TOWARD CUBA
- 49% of voters support Trump’s policies toward Latin America.
- 75% of voters say that the government in Cuba is a dictatorship, and 66% say it is not supported by the people of Cuba.
- 70% of voters say the communist government in Cuba is an enemy of the U.S., including a majority across political parties.
- 51% of voters say the government of Cuba is a national security threat for the U.S., and 62% believe it supports criminal cartels and illicit activities.
- 57% of voters support Trump adopting a policy of regime change toward Cuba but are split 50-50 on support for U.S. military intervention.
- 78% of voters say they would not invest in Cuba today. 54% say they would invest if Cuba were a democracy and free market economy.
VOTERS SPLIT ON SUCCESS OF TRUMP’S TRIP TO CHINA
- 56% of voters say they have heard about President Trump’s recent trip to China. 51% say it was successful.
- 48% of voters, a plurality, believe the U.S. received minor trade and political concessions from China.
- 50% of voters, a plurality, think Trump’s treatment of China is about right (versus not tough enough or too tough).
The May Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on May 29-31, 2026, among 1,725 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX.
About The Harris Poll & HarrisX
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.
HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.
May 2026
April 2026
April Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll: Trump Approval Rating At 42% with Two-Thirds of Voters Noticing Significant Increases in Gas Prices
News Provided By:
Stagwell Inc.
Published Date
April 28, 2026, 12:15 AM ET
MIDTERMS HORSERACE LOCKED IN A DEAD HEAT 50-50
TRUMP APPROVAL STEADY AT 46 PERCENT AMONG LIKELY MIDTERM VOTERS AND 80 PERCENT WITH GOP VOTERS
85% OF VOTERS ARE CONCERNED COST OF LIVING WILL RISE GIVEN GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS
52% OF VOTERS SUPPORT U.S. MILITARY AIRSTRIKES ON IRAN, WITH 54% VIEWING THEM AS JUSTIFIED
79% OF VOTERS THINK TRUMP WAS RIGHT TO AGREE TO A TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE IN IRAN
74% SAY THE U.S. IS WINNING OVER IRAN, WITH 63% AFFIRMING THE U.S. SHOULD CONTINUE ITS BLOCKADE IF IRAN REFUSES TO GIVE UP ITS URANIUM
64% OF VOTERS BELIEVE THAT IRANIAN LEADERSHIP IS NOW SPLIT INTO COMPETING FACTIONS, AND 60% SAY IRAN IS UNLIKELY TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM DESPITE PRESSURE
66% OF VOTERS SUPPORT AN INTERNATIONAL NAVAL FORCE TO SECURE THE FREE MOVEMENT OF SHIPS IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
74% OF VOTERS HAVE A FAVORABLE VIEW OF THEIR OWN COUNTRY, BUT ONLY 55% OF FEMALE GEN Z SHARE THE SAME VIEW
NEW YORK, NY AND CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / April 28, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) today released the results of the April Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 42%, his lowest in the past year, though support among likely midterms voters and Republicans remains steady. His job approval is highest on fighting crime in America’s cities (48%) and immigration (47%); and lowest on handling inflation (37%), the economy (39%), and managing the Iran conflict (39%). This month’s poll also covered public opinion on the overall economy, Middle East and Iran conflict, and the 2028 presidential primaries. The poll’s questionnaire was finalized before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Download the key results here.
“Voters continue to focus on cost of living while the president is winning wider acceptance of his Iran plans,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “They want him to hold fast on the terms for any peace deals.”
MAJORITY OF VOTERS HAVE A FAVORABLE VIEW OF THE U.S.
- 37% of voters say the U.S. is on the right track (+2 pts., March 2026), and 34% say the same about the economy (+2).
- Among key American institutions and foreign actors, voters have the highest net favorable view of the U.S. Military (+62 net favorable) and the country (+57) and the least favorable view of Iran (-52).
- Inflation, the economy, immigration, and health care continue to be the nation’s top four most important issues today, according to voters, with 20% now citing the U.S.-Iran conflict as a top concern.
MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE STRONG SUPPORT, BUT OVERALL PERFORMANCE RECEIVES MIXED REVIEWS
- The majority of key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (84% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (75%), and eliminating fraud in government expenditures (73%).
- Trump’s least popular policies include Medicaid cost cuts (44%), hiring additional ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (47%), and tariffs (49%).
- 74% of voters continue to say it is in the U.S.’ interests to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, including a majority across political parties.
- 47% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing worse than expected as president, including 45% of likely midterm voters.
- 53% of voters say Trump has accomplished at least some of his campaign promises. But a plurality of likely midterm voters (33%) and Independents (42%) say his policies are not at all consistent with his campaign promises.
- 50% of voters, a plurality, believe Trump’s policies have set America on a worse path (Independents: 58%; Likely midterm voters: 48%).
MIDTERMS LOCKED IN A DEAD HEAT; HARRIS AND VANCE SOLIDIFY BASES AS VOTERS THINK ABOUT 2028 ELECTION
- 71% of voters say they are planning to vote in the upcoming 2026 Congressional midterm elections (Democrats: 59%; Republicans: 62%; Independents: 40%). 63% say they usually vote in midterms.
- The horserace is split 50-50 among general voters and likely midterm voters, with 52% of Independents saying they would vote for a Democrat were elections held today.
- 67% of voters have thought about the upcoming 2028 presidential election.
- Kamala Harris (50%; +9) and J.D. Vance (48%; +6) are the favored candidates for president among voters from their respective parties.
VOTERS WANT COURT RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL GERRYMANDERING
- 56% of voters think political gerrymandering should be restricted by the courts, including a majority across political parties.
- 57% of voters say the recent vote to add four Democrat districts to Virginia will help further democracy.
MOST ARE UNAWARE OF SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER INDICTMENT BUT BELIEVE PAYMENTS WERE INAPPROPRIATE
- 64% of voters say they have not heard anything about the federal indictment handed to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
- 67% of voters think payments by the Southern Poverty Law Center to infiltrate right-wing extremists were inappropriate, including a majority across political parties.
VOTERS CONTINUE TO SEE DIVERGING POLICY STANCES BETWEEN PARTIES ON IRAN, IMMIGRATION, AND VOTER ID
- 84% of voters believe Democrats are against the war on Iran, while 75% think Republicans are for it.
- 51% of voters believe Democrats are for deporting violent criminals who are in the U.S. illegally, while 80% think the same of Republicans.
- 58% of voters believe Democrats stand for open borders (+2 pts., March 2026), including a majority across political parties.
- 65% of voters believe Democrats are against voter ID requirements, while 84% think Republicans are for them.
STRONG CONCERN ABOUT HIGHER GAS PRICES LEADING TO MORE EXPENSIVE COSTS OF LIVING DUE TO GEOPOLITICS
- 58% of voters say the current state of the economy is due to the Trump administration, with 52% saying it is worse today than it was under Biden.
- 57% of voters believe the economy is shrinking, and 73% say inflation is above 3 percent a year (Democrats: 77%; Republicans: 66%; Independents: 75%).
- A majority of voters have noticed increases in each of six key spending categories, with 88% of voters noticing an increase in the price of gasoline and 84% noticing the same of groceries/food.
- 85% of voters are concerned that higher gas prices will lead to broader increases in the cost of living, including a strong majority across political parties. Most voters say war and geopolitical conflict are the primary causes of higher gas prices (51%).
- Among potential federal actions to address high gas prices, voters most support reducing fuel taxes (44%) and increasing domestic oil production (41%).
- 71% of voters agree the U.S. should prioritize energy independence to avoid global price shocks, including a majority across political parties, but 51% think higher gas prices are not worth the cost of confronting Iran and maintaining U.S. national security.
MORE VOTERS VIEW IRAN AS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT
- 67% of voters say they have been following developments in the conflict between U.S., Israel, and Iran, including a majority across political parties and age groups.
- 52% of voters support U.S. military airstrikes on Iran, with 54% saying they are justified.
- 65% of voters believe Iran has been rebuilding its nuclear capability since U.S. airstrikes on the country last year (+7). 65% say Iran is a national security threat (+3).
- 63% of voters say the U.S. should continue to blockade the Iranians if they refuse to give up their uranium. 59% say the U.S. should resume bombing Iranian military and infrastructure targets if they fire on American ships.
- 74% say the U.S. is winning over Iran right now. But 35%, a plurality, say the U.S.-Iran conflict has no clear direction.
- 64% of voters think Iranian leadership is now split into factions. But 60% believe Iran will not give up their nuclear program even if Trump remains strong against Iran.
VOTERS WANT TRUMP TO HOLD FAST ON CONDITIONS FOR IRAN PEACE DEAL
- 78% of voters say Trump was right to agree to a ceasefire, and 57% say he was right to put a blockade on ships to Iran.
- A strong majority of voters support each of six key conditions for an Iran deal, including a majority across political parties, with the most voters saying it is essential Iran stops supporting terror proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas (79%) and executing protestors (78%). 66% of voters say Trump should insist on all of these points, and 54% think the U.S. has the upper hand in negotiations.
- 66% of voters support an international naval force to secure free movement of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, including a majority across political parties. 51% say other nations that import oil from the Persian Gulf should be responsible for protecting shipping through the Strait, not the U.S.
STRONG MAJORITY SUPPORT LONG-TERM PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND LEBANON
- 74% of voters continue to support Israel over Hamas.
- 76% of voters believe there are terrorist groups on Israel’s borders, and 43%, a plurality, say the groups are trying to destroy Israel.
- 81% of voters support a long-term peace agreement between Israel and Lebanon, with 76% saying Hezbollah should be required to disarm as part of the agreement.
The April Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on April 23-26, 2026, among 2,745 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
About The Harris Poll & HarrisX
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.
HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.
Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com