Recent AP/NORC polling shows broad public opposition to President Trump’s seven-month war with Iran: 71% disapprove of his handling and 69% say the campaign was not worth the cost. The survey also finds 73% of Americans believe the country is heading in the wrong direction. Trump acknowledged the conflict could cost Republicans in next month’s midterms while the Pentagon moves a third carrier strike group and roughly 10,000 more troops to the region.
Trump Doubles Down On Iran War — Polls Show Deep Unpopularity; He Admits It Could Cost Republicans
Donald Trump speaks during the 81st United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, 2026 in New York City. Photo by Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, now roughly seven months long, faces broad public disapproval even as the administration escalates its military posture in the Middle East.
A new survey from the Associated Press/NORC Research Center released Thursday found that 71% of adults disapprove of how Trump is handling the conflict that began alongside Israel in late February, and 69% say the war has not been worth fighting.
“More than half of adults say the country as a whole, the national economy, and their local economy are worse off since Trump was reelected in 2025. Most Americans (73%) say the country is heading in the wrong direction, including 92% of Democrats and 47% of Republicans.”
The president appeared to acknowledge the political cost when he told reporters outside the White House that the conflict could hurt Republicans in next month’s midterm elections. "It's possible," he said. Despite that admission, Trump has continued to defend the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and has intensified threats while sending more forces to the region.
Officials told The Wall Street Journal that the Pentagon is dispatching a third aircraft-carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, with the reinforcements expected to arrive by the end of November. The move would add roughly 10,000 troops and further strain a U.S. Navy already coping with near-record deployments and supply shortages.
Media reports in late September suggested renewed bombing operations might be delayed until after the election. In a wide-ranging interview published Thursday by Time, Trump framed the stakes in stark terms: "Because by annihilating Iran, we've created peace in the world," adding, "With Iran, I don't think you could ever have peace." The comment underscores the administration’s hardline rhetoric even as public support wanes.
What This Means
Rising public frustration — reflected in strong disapproval numbers and concerns about the economy and national direction — increases political risk for the GOP heading into the midterms. At the same time, the U.S. military is preparing a significant buildup in the region, a move that may influence both on-the-ground dynamics and voter perceptions at home.
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