A Reuters/Ipsos four-day online poll ending Monday finds President Trump's approval at 33%, the lowest of his presidency, with 64% disapproving. Eighty percent of Americans expect U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict to be prolonged, while only 16% expect a short conflict. The disruption of about one-fifth of global oil flows has pushed gasoline prices higher and is straining households, denting Republican prospects ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Voters now prefer Democrats over Republicans on economic stewardship (38% vs. 35%).
Exclusive: Trump's Approval Slides to 33%, Lowest of His Presidency as Iran Conflict and Gas Prices Bite
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he hosts 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who saved a child off the coast of Santa Cruz, California, last month, Nathaniel Rai, the child saved by Williams, and Nathaniel's family members in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 17, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
WASHINGTON, Aug 17 — A Reuters/Ipsos four-day online poll that concluded on Monday found President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 33%, the lowest level of his current presidency. Some 64% of respondents disapproved of his job performance, and the 33% reading is down from 35% in a poll conducted earlier this month — matching the low reached in December 2017.
Key Poll Findings
The survey of 1,166 U.S. adults (margin of error ±3 percentage points) shows broad public concern about U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran. Eighty percent of Americans — including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans — expect the U.S. role to continue "for an extended period of time," while only 16% believe it will end within a few weeks.
The strikes ordered by the president, carried out alongside U.S. ally Israel, disrupted roughly one-fifth of global oil flows and helped push gasoline prices higher. That rise in fuel costs is straining household budgets and creating political headaches for Republicans defending narrow congressional majorities ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
U.S. President Donald Trump waves after disembarking Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., August 16, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
At a rally in Garden City, New York, Mr. Trump said paying "a tiny little bit more for your gasoline" was worth preventing "a very evil country" from obtaining a nuclear weapon — one of the justifications he has offered for the strikes.
Public Reaction and Political Impact
Only about one in five Americans — and roughly half of Republicans — say the war has been worth the cost. Economic concerns appear to be shifting voter attitudes: Reuters/Ipsos found voters now favor Democrats over Republicans as the better managers of the economy for the first time in about a decade (38% Democrats vs. 35% Republicans). Democrats are also seen as better positioned to handle the cost of living.
On immigration, Republicans still hold a narrow lead (40% vs. 38%), but that two-point advantage is the smallest GOP edge recorded during Trump's current term; Republicans led by 26 points in January 2025. Polling data suggest these combined energy, economic and foreign policy concerns are weighing on Republican prospects for holding the House and may make the Senate more competitive.
Methodology: The Reuters/Ipsos online poll collected responses from 1,166 U.S. adults nationwide and carries a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
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