June 20, 2026

The Big Picture: Trump's Economic Summer Bummer

Charlie Neibergall/AP

Two-thirds of Americans say the cost of things has at least some impact on their upcoming plans for summer and is the main reason that folks give for not planning a vacation.

That’s from the latest from an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, which dives into a continued trend we’ve reported on of President Trump facing record low approval ratings, especially when respondents are asked about his handling of the economy.

The poll shows only a third of Americans say they approve of how Trump is handling the economy — three points lower than the worst marks given to former President Joe Biden during his term. Just 36% say they approve of his overall job performance, while 59% say they disapprove, which is the widest gap Trump has faced during either term in office.

Gas prices are down about 40 cents a gallon from where they were a month ago, according to AAA, but more than three quarters of Americans still say filling up at the pump puts a strain on their budget.

As the final batch of midterm primaries come up on the calendar, it’s also worth noting that there continues to be erosion in support of Trump’s second term from many of the key groups that helped send him back to the White House in 2024.

Compared to April’s survey, Trump’s approval numbers from Gen Z (25%), women (29%) and those with an annual household income below $50,000 (34%) continue to decline. He started his second term with a net positive approval rating among rural adults of +22, but is now 10 points underwater. By a roughly two-to-one margin, Latinos disapprove of Trump’s performance.

What will this look like in the coming months, and how will it impact key races in November? It’s obviously much too soon to tell, but strategists from both parties tell me numbers like this could bring about a two-fold change where soft Trump supporters switch to support Democrats who offer solutions to rising prices and some of the most loyal Trump base opts to stay home.

— Stephen Fowler, NPR political reporter

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ICYMI: Top Stories

Iranian Presidency Office via AP

Preliminary Iran agreement: Talks between the U.S. and Iran that were scheduled to take place in Switzerland Friday to negotiate the terms of a peace agreement got postponed because of continued Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The delay raises questions over the sturdiness of the memorandum of understanding to end the war, signed by the U.S. and Iran on Wednesday. As a condition of that agreement, U.S. forces have lifted their blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas.

The influence of influencers: As political candidates look to expand their reach and engage new voters, internet personalities can bring a massive audience – and, often, a lot of baggage. Political reporter Elena Moore explores whether campaigning with influencers translates to votes, and if it’s worth the risk.

SCOTUS sides with marijuana user barred from owning guns: In a narrow decision, the Supreme Court held that the government's prosecution of a marijuana user from Texas for owning guns was inconsistent with the Second Amendment. The case stems from the 2022 arrest of Ali Hemani, after federal agents found a pistol and 60 grams of marijuana in a search of his home. When asked, Hemani told the agents that he uses marijuana "about every other day," according to court filings. Hemani’s lawyers argued that the statute barring “unlawful” drug users from owning guns was unconstitutionally vague.

How should we think about the cost of the Iran War? Should the framework and ceasefire deal hold, it was a relatively short conflict. But its costs and aftereffects will likely linger for years.

— Lexie Schapitl, NPR Politics producer

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Going Deeper: Voting Officials Wary of DHS Under Mullin

Oliver Contreras/AFP via Getty Images

Gary Berntsen is convinced Venezuela stole the 2020 U.S. election.

That myth has been debunked numerous times, including as part of Fox News' 2023 $787 million settlement with voting machine company Dominion, but Berntsen, a former CIA operative, has been pushing it for years.

Ahead of the 2024 election, Berntsen says he couldn't get anyone to listen to him. Until he found a sympathetic ear in then-Sen. Markwayne Mullin.

Mullin's history of false election fraud claims has heightened concerns among voting officials that DHS will not be a partner helping to secure elections, but rather a threat seeking to undermine results that Trump dislikes. Voting correspondent Miles Parks explains.

— Lexie Schapitl, NPR Politics producer

The Shot: Obama Center

Lucy Hewett for NPR

The Obama Presidential Center officially opened to the public Friday after a star-studded dedication Thursday.

The center’s campus covers more than 19 acres on the south side of Chicago, featuring a towering museum, a branch of the Chicago Public Library and an NBA regulation-size basketball court.

The museum's exhibits include everything from Obama's Nobel Peace Prize to a handprint art project he made in elementary school. There's also a replica of the Oval Office, decorated as it was when Obama was there, and a display of first lady Michelle Obama's dresses. (One thing you won’t find in the fashion display? The famous/infamous tan suit.)

Every living president attended Thursday’s grand opening, except one: President Trump.

— Lexie Schapitl, NPR Politics producer

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