Trump Approval Falls as Iran War Pressure Republicans
News Desk
Washington: US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 33%, its lowest level of his presidency, as rising gasoline prices and the prolonged war with Iran fuel growing political pressure on his administration ahead of the November midterm elections.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance, while only 33% approve. The approval figure has fallen from 35% earlier this month and matches the lowest level recorded during Trump’s first term, in December 2017.
The survey indicates that the conflict with Iran and its economic fallout are emerging as major concerns for American voters. About 80% of respondents said they expect US military involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period, while only 16% believe the conflict will end within weeks.
The war has also disrupted global oil supplies and contributed to higher gasoline prices in the United States, increasing financial pressure on households. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for international oil shipments, has been significantly affected by the conflict.
Trump, who campaigned on promises to bring down inflation and avoid prolonged foreign wars, has faced mounting criticism over the costs of military action against Iran and its impact on the US economy.
Speaking at a rally in Garden City, New York, Trump said Americans could tolerate paying a “little higher price” for gasoline if it helped prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He described Iran as a “very bad state” and stressed that it must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Public backing for the intervention remains limited. The poll found that only around one in five Americans believe the decision to go to war with Iran was justified when its costs and consequences are taken into account. Even among Republican voters, only about half supported the intervention.
Economic concerns could pose an additional challenge for Republicans. Some 38% of voters said Democrats would be better at handling the economy, compared with 35% who favored Republicans. Democrats have also made gains on the issue of controlling the cost of living.
Republicans retain a narrow advantage on immigration, with 40% of registered voters saying the party is better equipped to handle the issue, compared with 38% for Democrats. However, the advantage has narrowed considerably from January 2025, when Republicans held a 26-point lead.
While Trump’s immigration crackdown has been followed by a sharp decline in illegal border crossings, his administration has faced criticism over enforcement operations, deadly confrontations and the detention of migrants, including children.
With the November midterms approaching, Trump’s falling approval rating, rising fuel costs and public concerns over the Iran conflict could create significant political challenges for Republicans as they seek to defend their narrow majority in the House of Representatives.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted online among 1,166 US adults and has a margin of error of approximately three percentage points.
