Trump's popularity hits new low as Iran war drags on, US poll shows
WASHINGTON, USA - President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to the lowest point of his presidency, with a new Reuters/Ipsos poll showing just 33% of Americans approve of his performance. The four-day survey, which concluded on Monday, August 17, found that 64% of respondents disapprove of Trump's work in the White House.
The numbers mark a decline from 35% earlier this month and tie his previous low from December 2017. For a president who returned to office in 2025 with nearly half the country behind him, the slide reflects a turbulent year dominated by the ongoing conflict with Iran.
What is behind Trump's falling approval numbers?
The war with Iran, launched alongside US ally Israel, has paralyzed a fifth of global oil trade and sent gasoline prices soaring. That economic pain is hitting American households hard, and it is making Republican lawmakers nervous as they defend their slim congressional majorities in the November midterm elections.
Trump campaigned on promises to keep inflation in check and avoid lengthy wars. He initially said the Iran conflict would last only a few weeks. But Iran has proven resilient, and the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked to oil traffic even as fighting has cooled.
According to the poll, 80% of Americans, including 71% of Republicans, believe US involvement in Iran will stretch on for an extended period. Only 16% think the conflict will end within weeks.
Trump defends higher gas prices
At a rally in Garden City, New York on Friday, August 14, Trump told supporters that paying a bit more for gasoline is a fair price for preventing a very evil country from obtaining nuclear weapons. That rationale has not convinced the public. Only one in five Americans, and just half of Republicans, say the war has been worth it.
The president has swung between threats of escalation and claims that a peace deal is near, but voters appear weary of the uncertainty.
What do the polls say about the economy and immigration?
For the first time in about a decade, Reuters/Ipsos polling this month shows voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on the economy. Some 38% of voters say Democrats would handle the economy better, compared to 35% who prefer the Republican approach. Democrats also lead on managing the cost of living.
Immigration remains a bright spot for Republicans, though the gap is narrowing. Trump's border crackdown has sharply reduced crossings, and his approach still leads among voters. However, the latest poll shows Republicans ahead by just 2 percentage points, 40% to 38%, the smallest margin of Trump's term. In January 2025, Republicans led by 26 points.
What does this mean for the midterm elections?
With the November 3 elections approaching, Democrats see opportunities in both chambers. The House majority looks vulnerable for Republicans, and the Senate is increasingly within reach for the opposition. The war in Iran and its economic fallout are shaping up to be decisive issues at the ballot box.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online and gathered responses from 1,166 US adults nationwide. The margin of error is 3 percentage points in either direction.
For Filipinos watching from across the Pacific, the lesson is familiar: leadership is judged by results, not promises. When wars drag on and prices rise at the pump, people notice. And they remember at election time.
This article is based on reporting by Reuters and Rappler.