A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday found that President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33%, the lowest level of his current term. The four-day survey indicates that 64% of respondents disapprove of the president's performance, a decline from a 35% approval rating recorded in a poll earlier this month. The current figure matches a previous low from December 2017 during his first term.
The decline follows U.S. strikes against Iran, conducted in coordination with Israel, which have disrupted global oil trade and led to higher gasoline prices. While the president initially stated the conflict would conclude in a few weeks, the poll found that 80% of Americans—including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans—now expect the involvement to continue for an extended period. Only 16% of respondents believe the conflict will end within weeks.
President Trump addressed the economic impact during a Friday rally in Garden City, New York, stating that higher gasoline prices were a necessary cost to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, the poll found that one in five Americans, and roughly half of Republicans, believe the war has been worth the cost. The survey also noted a shift in economic perception, with 38% of voters favoring Democrats' handling of the economy compared to 35% for Republicans, the first time Democrats have led on this issue in approximately ten years.
The political shift affects current members of Congress and candidates as they prepare for the upcoming vote. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, but the poll shows their long-standing advantage on immigration is narrowing. The Republican lead on immigration policy, which stood at 26 percentage points in January 2025, has dropped to a 2-point lead, with 40% favoring Republicans and 38% favoring Democrats. This change follows reports of confrontations and a surge in detainees, including children, at the border.
The results suggest that voters are prioritizing the cost of living and economic stewardship over other issues as the conflict with Iran persists. If these polling trends hold, they could influence future policy decisions regarding military involvement in the Middle East and domestic energy priorities. The next major milestone for these shifting public sentiments will be the November 3 elections, which will determine control of both the House and the Senate. The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,166 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
What happens next: The U.S. midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. These elections will determine whether Republicans retain their majorities in Congress or if Democrats gain control of the House and Senate. Monitoring of the oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz continues as the conflict remains unresolved despite a cooling of active hostilities.