A converge of legal setbacks, rising prices and an unpopular war put heavy political pressure on President Trump this past week, dragging his approval lower and spotlighting an emerging weakness on the economy — the issue that carried him to re-election.
At the start of the week Trump already faced weak ratings, and developments over seven days deepened the strain. The Iran conflict, which has no obvious end, has become a central liability: it has driven up gas and oil prices, unsettled markets, and pushed voters who care most about the economy further from the president.
Saturday: Nationwide protests and polling
Millions demonstrated at more than 3,000 “No Kings” rallies across the U.S. and abroad, underscoring high opposition intensity. New polling showed 59% disapproved of the president, with nearly half saying they ‘‘strongly’’ disapprove, and 58% disapproved of the war in Iran.
Tuesday: Fuel costs and court losses
Average gasoline topped $4 a gallon — roughly a 37% rise since the Iran war began — and Trump lost two court battles: one over public media funding and another that temporarily halted construction of a White House ballroom until Congress acted. Days later, a National Capital Planning Commission packed with Trump appointees approved the ballroom plans.
Wednesday: Supreme Court visit and mixed messages
Trump became the first known sitting president to attend Supreme Court oral arguments in person for a case aimed at ending birthright citizenship. Several justices, including conservative appointees, appeared skeptical of the administration’s arguments. He watched his side and left during challengers’ arguments, then criticized birthright citizenship on social media.
At a private White House event he argued that programs such as day care, Medicaid and Medicare could be left to states while the federal government focuses on military protection. That evening his prime-time address on Iran offered no clear exit strategy; markets, which had hoped for de-escalation, fell after the speech.
Thursday: Tariffs anniversary, markets, and an attorney general exit
On the first anniversary of his tariff campaign, polling showed public blame for worsening economic conditions. Approval of his handling of the economy fell to about 31%. Oil and stocks reacted sharply after his speech; later that day Trump announced Attorney General Pam Bondi had been dismissed amid controversies over Justice Department actions and document releases.
Friday: Jobs and the political bind
The jobs report showed signs of labor-market softness. Though unemployment stayed low, several recent months produced weaker job numbers — a contrast with the pre-Trump years of steady monthly gains.
Taken together, tariffs and the decision to confront Iran alongside Israel have pushed up prices for goods and fuel. Because the war and the economy are linked, Trump politically needs a quick, credible exit from Iran. Yet his speech suggested escalation — promises to ‘‘hit them extremely hard’’ over ‘‘two to three weeks’’ and comments about returning Iran to the ‘‘Stone Ages,’’ plus optimistic assurances about the Strait of Hormuz — that boxed him in.
The result is a striking irony: a president re-elected on pledges to lower prices and keep the U.S. out of new conflicts now faces criticism on both fronts. That tension, and the lack of a clear path forward on Iran, looks set to be a defining political challenge in the near term.