US Public Rejects War, Trump Increasingly Losing Support

US public support for war has shown a sharp downward trend in recent decades. The latest survey even indicates that only a small portion of citizens back President Donald Trump’s military option against Iran, reflecting a major shift in societal views on war. The survey released on Wednesday (25/3/2026) shows that only 35% of Americans approve of US strikes on Iran, down from 37% in last week’s Reuters/Ipsos poll. Around 61% disapprove of the strikes, compared to 59% last week. The previous Reuters/Ipsos survey was conducted immediately after the first US and Israel attacks, when many Americans were still learning about the situation, and respondents were given the option to express uncertainty in their views. The 28 February-1 March survey found 27% approved of the strikes, 43% disapproved, and 29% were unsure. The latest survey no longer offers an uncertainty option, although 5% of respondents declined to answer the question about their views on the war. Around 46% of respondents said the war in Iran would make the US less safe in the long term. Only 26% believed the war would make the country safer, while the rest said the war would not have a significant impact. Although Trump has suggested in recent days that the war could soon end, Iran has denied Trump’s claim that negotiations are underway, and Reuters reported on Tuesday that Washington is expected to send thousands more troops to the Middle East. US Citizens Increasingly Oppose War A survey by The New York Times also shows a decline in US citizen support for war. During World War II, support levels reached around 97%, reflecting a very strong national consensus. However, in modern conflicts, that support has continued to decline. Even in the latest conflict with Iran, support is only around 41%, one of the lowest in US war history. The above data shows that nationally, public opinion tends to be sceptical towards US military involvement in escalating conflicts with Iran. There are several reasons why US citizens are less supportive of Trump’s actions in the Iran War: 1. Unclear War Objectives Public support for war weakens because the intervention’s objectives are deemed non-transparent. In the case of Iran, the country is not seen as posing a direct threat to American citizens before the strike rhetoric emerged. This situation makes the reasons for war difficult for the public to understand, unlike conflicts like World War II, which had strong and clear justifications. 2. Uncertainty About End and Success Rate Ambiguity regarding how and when the war will end is another important factor. Without clear success indicators, the public struggles to assess whether the military intervention is worth the costs and risks incurred. This uncertainty ultimately reduces confidence in the war’s effectiveness. 3. Domestic Economic Priorities More Dominant Beyond strategic factors, domestic issues like affordability of living and cost of living have become the main concerns of US society. Compared to foreign policy, everyday economic pressures are felt more directly by the public. As a result, support for war is increasingly sidelined as it is not seen as a top priority. What Drives Public Support in War? Although the long-term trend is declining, war support in the US can still surge during major crises. After the 11 September attacks, the Afghanistan war initially received 92% support, while the 2003 Iraq War garnered 76%. However, this support did not last as the conflicts dragged on, and public opinion turned. This shows that the perception of direct threats is the main driver of support, though its nature is now temporary and quickly fades. Trump’s Overall Support Plummets Beyond the war, the latest Ipsos survey also shows that President Trump’s overall approval rating has fallen to the lowest level since returning to the White House. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s approval rating dropping to 36%, from 40% in the previous week’s survey. The survey, conducted over four days until Monday, highlights the worsening public perception of Trump’s performance, particularly in handling the economy and rising cost of living. The surge in fuel prices, which occurred after the coordinated US and Israel military strikes on Iran on 28 February, has become one of the main triggers for the decline in support. Only 25% of respondents expressed satisfaction with Trump’s handling of the cost of living. Meanwhile, approval of his economic policies is only 29%, the lowest during his tenure and lower than his predecessor, Joe Biden. “It is important for the public to know that the president feels their suffering and help is on the way,” said Amanda Makki, a Republican political strategist, quoted on Wednesday (25/3/2026). The survey also noted that 63% of US citizens rate the current economic condition as “somewhat weak” or “very weak”. The breakdown includes 40% of Republican voters, 66% independents, and 84% Democrats. This national online survey involved 1,272 adult respondents in the US. The survey has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.