Trump's Approval Hits New Low Amid Prolonged Iran Conflict and Rising Fuel Prices

A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll reveals that US President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 33%, marking the lowest point of his current term and matching a previous low from December 2017. The survey, conducted over four days and published on August 17, 2026, shows 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump's performance in the White House. This decline in support comes amid growing public concern that the war with Iran will extend for a prolonged period.

The conflict, initiated by Trump’s orders for strikes alongside Israel, has disrupted one-fifth of global oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a surge in US fuel prices and economic strain on American households. Despite Trump’s campaign promises to control inflation and avoid long wars, about 80% of Americans, including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans, believe the US involvement in Iran will last much longer than initially expected. Only 16% think the conflict will end within weeks.

Trump defended the higher fuel costs at a recent rally in New York, calling it a "price worth paying" to prevent a "very evil country" from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, only 20% of Americans and half of Republican respondents feel the war justifies its costs. These concerns are fueling Republican fears about retaining their narrow majority in the House of Representatives in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections, while Democrats see increasing chances to gain control of the Senate.

The poll also indicates a shift in economic confidence, with 38% of voters favoring Democrats over 35% for Republicans in managing the economy, a rare lead for Democrats in a decade. Democrats are also viewed as better equipped to handle the rising cost of living. On immigration, Republicans maintain a slight edge with 40% support versus 38% for Democrats, but this margin has narrowed significantly since January 2025, when Republicans led by 26 points. The survey sampled 1,166 US adults online, with a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.