President Trump’s job approval has fallen to 33%, the lowest point of his current presidency, as Americans increasingly express concern over the duration of the U.S. war with Iran and the economic fallout from the conflict, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The four-day survey found that just one-third of respondents approved of Trump’s performance in office, while 64% disapproved. The 33% figure represents a decline from the 35% recorded in a Reuters/Ipsos survey completed earlier this month and is the lowest of Trump’s current term. It also matches the lowest approval rating recorded during his previous term, reached in December 2017.
Trump returned to the White House in 2025 with an approval rating just below 50%, but his standing has deteriorated this year following his decision to launch strikes against Iran alongside Israel. The resulting war severely disrupted roughly one-fifth of global oil commerce, sending gasoline prices higher and increasing financial pressure on American households. The economic consequences are also creating political difficulties for Republicans seeking to preserve their congressional majorities in November’s midterm elections.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to control inflation and keep the United States out of prolonged wars. He initially predicted that the confrontation with Iran would be over within several weeks, but Tehran has continued resisting while keeping much of the oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz restricted, even as the intensity of the fighting has diminished.
The poll found widespread expectations that the conflict will continue. Approximately 80% of Americans, including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans, believe U.S. involvement in Iran “will go on for an extended period of time.” Only 16% expect the war to conclude within the next several weeks.
At a political rally Friday in Garden City, New York, Trump defended the higher fuel costs associated with the conflict, saying paying “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” was justified if it prevented “a very evil country” from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Throughout the war, Trump has repeatedly shifted between warning of further military escalation and suggesting that a peace agreement could soon be reached.
The survey found limited public support for the conflict itself. Only about 20% of Americans said they believe the war has been worth its costs, while approximately half of Republican respondents said the same.
The combination of the Iran conflict and rising gasoline prices has heightened Republican concerns ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, particularly as the party seeks to protect its narrow majority in the House. Democrats, meanwhile, increasingly view control of the Senate as potentially within reach.
Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling has also shown a shift in public perceptions of which party would better manage the economy. For the first time in roughly a decade, Democrats have moved ahead of Republicans on the issue. In the latest survey, 38% said Democrats would do a better job handling the economy, compared with 35% who favored Republicans.
Democrats also held an advantage when respondents were asked which party they believed could better address the cost of living.
Immigration has remained a stronger issue for Republicans throughout Trump’s presidency, amid a steep reduction in illegal border crossings and the administration’s nationwide immigration enforcement campaign. However, the Republican advantage has narrowed as concerns have grown over deadly encounters and an increase in the number of people being detained, including children.
Among registered voters, 40% said Republicans have the better approach to immigration, while 38% chose Democrats. The two-point Republican advantage is the smallest recorded during Trump’s current term, representing a dramatic contraction from the 26-point lead Republicans held on immigration in January 2025.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted online among 1,166 adults across the United States. The poll carries a margin of error of approximately three percentage points in either direction.
{Matzav.com}
