Trump Approval Hits New Low as Iran War, Inflation and Immigration Weigh

A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent — the lowest of his current term — as public dissatisfaction grows over the prolonged conflict with Iran, rising living costs and hardline immigration policies.
The four-day online poll of 1,166 U.S. adults, which closed on August 17, showed 64 percent disapproval. Findings match Trump’s lowest ratings last seen in December 2017. About 80 percent of respondents — including 87 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans — believe the U.S. conflict with Iran will be prolonged, a perception fueling falling approval. Only 16 percent expect the dispute to end within weeks.
Economic concerns compound the political damage. The Iran conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz have driven up oil and gas prices, squeezing consumers; the Pentagon has estimated the war’s cost at roughly $37.5 billion. Polls show a shift on economic confidence, with 38 percent of voters saying Democrats would better handle the economy versus 35 percent for Republicans — a notable reversal ahead of the midterms.
Immigration policies have also eroded GOP standing. Reuters/Ipsos finds the partisan gap on which party is better on immigration has narrowed to a single point (40% for Republicans, 38% for Democrats). Analyses warn the administration’s immigration crackdown could cost billions and tens of thousands of jobs, and reports of detentions and deaths in immigration custody have intensified public concern.