Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters has attributed former President Donald Trump’s low approval ratings to issues he claims were left over from the previous Biden administration, despite Joe Biden no longer holding the presidency.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll indicates that only 33% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance, with 64% disapproving, marking his lowest approval since December 2017. This comes as the midterm elections approach, a critical time for the Republican party.
During an interview on NewsNation, Gruters was asked how Republicans intend to convince voters they are the better choice for improving economic conditions, such as lowering gas and grocery prices. Instead of addressing the current economic climate or Trump's policies, Gruters stated, “The president is still dealing with the Biden issues that were left over under the disastrous four years they ruled.” He also falsely claimed that gas prices were higher under Biden and cited the war in Iran as a factor, despite the conflict initiating during Trump’s tenure.
Social media users largely dismissed Gruters' comments, with many pointing out that Biden has not been president since January 2025 and that Trump's administration is responsible for current economic conditions. Some users highlighted economic data from January 2025 and July 2026 to counter Gruters' claims about inflation and unemployment rates.