Iran War Brings Disaster, Donald Trump's Approval Rating Collapses in the US
The approval rating of United States President Donald Trump has fallen to its lowest level during his presidency. This comes amid panic and concern among most Americans that the US war with Iran will last for a very long time.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Monday, only 33% of respondents approved of Trump’s performance in the White House, while around 64% expressed disapproval. Trump’s approval rating dropped sharply from 35% earlier this month. The new figure officially matches the record low from his previous term in December 2017.
After returning to the White House in 2025 with the support of nearly half the country, Trump’s popularity this year has collapsed after he ordered strikes against Iran alongside his ally, Israel. The deadly conflict has crippled a fifth of global oil trade and triggered a sharp spike in petrol prices, driving inflation and burdening American households.
The stifled economic conditions are also threatening the position of Trump’s Republican allies, who must fight desperately to maintain their congressional majority in the November midterm elections. Trump had previously campaigned on promises to keep inflation under control and avoid prolonged wars.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that around 80% of Americans, comprising 87% of Democratic supporters and 71% of Republicans, believe US involvement in Iran will last for a very long time. Only 16% of respondents still believe the conflict is likely to end within a few weeks.
Amid the economic suffering of his people, Trump justified the surge in petrol prices during a political rally in Garden City, New York, on Friday. “Paying a little more for your petrol is worth the cost to ensure a very evil country cannot have nuclear weapons,” he asserted.
Concerns about the war and petrol prices have made Republicans extremely nervous about their hopes of retaining their slim majority in the US House of Representatives in the 3 November election. Meanwhile, Democrats are increasingly confident that the US Senate is also within their grasp.
This month’s poll also showed that voters now prefer Democrats over Republicans as better stewards of the economy for the first time in about a decade. Some 38% of voters believe Democrats would handle the economy better, compared with 35% who favour the Republican approach. Democrats are also viewed as far more prepared and competent to manage the cost-of-living burden on citizens.
Although the Republican approach to immigration remains more popular thanks to a sharp decline in border crossings and a national crackdown, their camp is beginning to lose ground amid the deadly confrontation and a surge in detainees, including children. Only 40% of registered voters say Republicans have a better immigration policy approach, compared with 38% who choose Democrats.
The narrow 2 percentage point gap is a record low during Trump’s term, where Republicans previously led by 26 points in January 2025. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, gathering responses from 1,166 American adults nationwide, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.