The 'walls are closing in on' Trump as his failures threaten economic ruin into 2027

President Donald Trump returns to the White House, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Washington, D.C., March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

The "walls are closing in" on President Donald Trump, according to a new analysis from The i Paper, as his approval rating continues to find new lows and the economic crisis caused by his Iran war-of-choice threatens to persist through 2027.

Writing for the outlet on Thursday, political commentator Simon Marks highlighted Trump's most recent approval rating from the Associated Press, a dismal record low of 33 percent. Driving that downward trend, as ever, has been voter anger over the economy under his watch, with only 30 percent approving of his performance so far, down nine points since the start of the conflict with Iran in late February.

Most notably, the economic fallout of the Iran war has been surging gas prices, after the country ordered the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz. Despite Trump's pledge that prices would begin to subside soon, there is still no end in sight, with airlines beginning to grapple with the reality of the fuel cost situation.

"On Wednesday, Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, warned that with no end to the conflict in sight, he was ordering a 20 per cent increase in air fares for summer flights," Marks wrote. "Other airlines are expected to follow suit. Notably, the increases will impact holidaymakers and all those football fans who have not already booked their tickets to the US, Canada and Mexico for this summer’s geographically dispersed FIFA World Cup."

Privately, the Trump administration has begun to admit that, even in one of the better-case scenarios for peace talks with Iran, the economic pains will persist well past the midterms and into 2027.

"Underscoring the belief that fuel costs will not fall anytime soon, The Washington Post reported that Pentagon officials have warned Congress in a classified briefing that even if an elusive peace between Tehran and Washington is negotiated, it will take a further six months to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines. It reported that the timeline was 'met with frustration by Democrats and Republicans alike' on Congress’s House Armed Services Committee, with the conflict’s economic impact likely to extend late into this year or even beyond."

Energy Secretary Chris Wright admitted as much openly, saying in a recent interview that gas would not get back down below $3 a gallon by the end of the year. Trump was quick to try and put that fire out, claiming that his Cabinet official was "totally wrong" and pledging that prices would plunge once the war ended.

"Trump may not recognize it yet, but with the midterms fast approaching, his goose looks cooked," Mark concluded. "Meanwhile, Iran shows no inclination to negotiate in earnest to end the war he started and give him the possibility to turn things around back home."

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