Trump’s Biggest Setback? Approval Rating Crashes To 33% As Iran War Sparks Public Anger

Trump’s popularity takes a major hit as his approval rating crashes to 33%, the lowest of his presidency. Is the Iran conflict, rising fuel prices and economic worries changing the mood of American voters?

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 18 August 2026, 2:52 PM IST

Trump is facing a major decline in public support (Img: X)

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump is facing a major decline in public support, with his approval rating falling to 33%, the lowest level of his current presidency, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The survey showed that 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance, marking a sharp drop from the 35% approval recorded in an earlier poll this month.

The decline comes amid growing concerns over the US military involvement in Iran and rising fuel prices. The poll found that a majority of Americans believe the conflict with Iran could continue for an extended period.

Iran Conflict Hurts Trump’s Popularity

According to the poll, 80% of Americans believe US involvement in Iran will continue for a long time, including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans.

Trump had earlier promised to avoid prolonged wars and keep inflation under control. However, the ongoing tensions with Iran and the impact on global oil markets have created fresh challenges for his administration.

The conflict has disrupted a significant portion of global oil trade, pushing gasoline prices higher and increasing concerns among American households.

Only 1 In 5 Americans Support Iran War

The survey revealed that only 20% of Americans believe the war with Iran has been worth the cost, while concerns over rising fuel prices and economic pressure continue to grow.

Trump has defended the higher gasoline prices, saying that paying slightly more for fuel is necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Economic Concerns Impact Republican Support

The latest poll also showed Democrats gaining ground on economic issues. Around 38% of voters said Democrats would handle the economy better, compared with 35% who preferred Republicans.

Republicans have also seen their advantage on immigration issues shrink. The poll showed 40% of voters favouring the Republican approach, while 38% backed Democrats the narrowest gap of Trump’s presidency.

Midterm Elections Add Pressure

The falling approval numbers come ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, where Republicans are attempting to defend their slim majority in the US House of Representatives.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online among 1,166 US adults and carries a margin of error of around 3 percentage points.