Key Takeaway: A Reuters/Ipsos four-day poll finds Donald Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent, with 64 percent of Americans disapproving. Roughly 80 percent expect U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict to be prolonged, including 87 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans. Rising gasoline prices — up nearly a third year-on-year per the AAA — and declining support among some MAGA voters are increasing political pressure on Trump ahead of the midterms.
Trump’s Iran War Deepens Midterm Woes as Approval Drops to 33%, Poll Shows
Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images
Donald Trump’s approval rating has slid to 33 percent — the lowest of his current term — as a new Reuters/Ipsos four-day survey finds 64 percent of Americans now disapprove of his job performance. The poll echoes the 33 percent low from December 2017 and highlights growing public concern about the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran.
Broad Anxiety Over a Prolonged Conflict
About 80 percent of respondents said they expect U.S. involvement in the confrontation with Iran to continue for an extended period. That apprehension crosses party lines: 87 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans share the expectation of a long-lasting engagement.
Economic Strain Fuels Public Unease
Economic pressure is a key factor shaping opinions. The American Automobile Association reports gasoline prices are up nearly a third compared with a year ago, increasing household strain and amplifying political fallout for the president. Rising energy costs are undercutting Mr. Trump’s campaign message of controlling inflation and avoiding drawn-out military engagements.
Promises vs. Reality
Trump initially framed the confrontation as brief, saying it would end within weeks and casting the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But Iran and Tehran-aligned forces have shown resilience, and actions in the region have disrupted oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, complicating hopes for a quick resolution.
At a rally, Trump told supporters paying “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” was worth preventing “a very evil country” from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Only 16 percent of poll respondents said they expected the conflict to end soon, signaling widespread skepticism about a short timeline.
Support Erodes Even Among Core Backers
Support for the economic price of the campaign has weakened among some of Trump’s most loyal voters. A recent Politico poll found roughly one-third of self-identified MAGA supporters believed the economic costs were justified — a warning sign for a president who campaigned on curbing inflation and steering clear of prolonged wars.
The combination of a low approval rating, the prospect of a prolonged conflict, and rising fuel prices is reshaping public confidence in the presidency and complicating Trump’s political standing heading into the midterms.
Reporting based on a Reuters/Ipsos poll; original coverage attributed to Vritti Johar (Mandatory.com) and republished on Reality Tea.
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