US President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33%, the lowest level of his presidency, as concerns grow over the Iran war and rising gasoline prices.
The four-day Reuters/Ipsos survey found that 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s performance in the White House. His approval rating fell from 35% earlier in August and now matches the lowest point of his first presidential term in December 2017.
Trump returned to the White House in 2025 with approval from just under half of Americans. His ratings have since weakened as the Iran conflict has dragged on and disrupted global energy markets.
Americans expect prolonged Iran conflict
The poll found widespread doubts that US involvement in Iran will end soon.
Around 80% of Americans believe US involvement “will go on for an extended period of time.” That includes 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans. Only 16% expect the conflict to end within a few weeks.
Trump initially suggested the conflict could last only weeks. However, Iran has continued to restrict oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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The disruption has affected roughly one-fifth of global oil trade and pushed fuel prices higher. It has also increased financial pressure on American households ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Only about one in five Americans believe the Iran war has been worth its costs. Even among Republicans, support stands at only around half.
Trump defends higher gasoline prices
Trump defended the economic impact of the conflict during a political rally in Garden City, New York, on Friday.
He said paying “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” was worth preventing what he called “a very evil country” from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Higher energy costs have become a political challenge because Trump campaigned on controlling inflation and avoiding prolonged foreign wars.
Public opinion on the economy has also shifted.
The latest poll found that 38% of voters believe Democrats have the better approach to the economy. Republicans received 35%. Reuters/Ipsos polling earlier this month showed Democrats leading Republicans on the economy for the first time in about a decade.
Democrats also hold an advantage when voters consider which party can better manage the cost of living.
Republican immigration advantage narrows
Immigration remains a relatively stronger issue for Republicans, but their lead has fallen sharply.
Around 40% of registered voters said Republicans have the better approach to immigration. Democrats received 38%, leaving only a two-point gap.
That represents a dramatic shift from January 2025, when Republicans held a 26-point advantage on immigration.
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The narrowing gap follows months of aggressive immigration enforcement under Trump. Border crossings have fallen, but deadly confrontations and growing numbers of detainees have increased scrutiny of the administration’s policies.
The political numbers could worry Republicans as they prepare to defend their narrow House majority in November. Democrats also increasingly view the Senate as competitive.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,166 US adults online nationwide. It has a margin of error of three percentage points in either direction.
