Americans' approval of the US-Israeli war on Iran has reached another record low, pulling Trump's approval rating down with it, to the worst reading of either of his two terms in office, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The new findings also show likely spillover effects for the November midterms that will benefit Democrats seeking to retake the majority in Congress.
Early on, the Trump administration claimed his war of choice would be over in a matter of a few weeks. On Friday, it will have been going on for six months with no resolution in sight. With the war keeping gas prices far higher than they were before Trump teamed up with Israel to launch a surprise attack on Iran in the middle of ongoing negotiations, Americans are increasingly taking a dim view of the war, while also overwhelmingly pessimistic about how long it will last. Eighteen US service members have died, and 774 have been injured or wounded. Thousands of Iranians have been killed.
In the new poll that reflects sentiments recorded through Monday, 63% of Americans disapprove of military strikes on Iran, with only 31% approving. Most Republicans still support the war, but the popularity on that side of the aisle has eroded too: 69% support the war now, compared to 77% in March, shortly after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu started the war on Feb. 28. Fully 90% of Democrats oppose the military attacks on Iran, along with 67% of independents. Despair rules: About 83% of Americans think the war will last "for an extended period of time," against only 12% who think it will be wrapped up in weeks.
Like cement shoes he put on himself, the war on Iran is steadily pulling Trump's popularity to new lows. Only 33% of surveyed Americans approve of Trump's overall performance, the worst level that Reuters/Ipsos has observed over either of his two administrations.
Trump isn't up for re-election in November, but the stakes are sky-high for him in the midterms. A Democratic takeover of either the House or Senate will spawn any number of investigations of his administration and the Trump family's side business transactions. A takeover of both chambers would carry the prospect of Trump being impeached and removed from office. Here, the poll brought more bad news for Trump and the Republican Party. In the so-called "generic ballot" question that asks which party they're likely to vote for in their House race, 35% of Americans said they'd pick a Democrat, compared to 29% who said a Republican. Sixteen percent "don't know" and another 16% don't plan to vote.
While the Trump administration is consumed by the war, a 22% plurality of Americans say the most important problem facing the country is "the economy, unemployment and jobs," followed by 13% who said "threats to democratic values and norms," and 11% who said "corruption." Along those same lines, 66% disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy.
In other survey readings:
- Likely 2028 presidential contenders JD Vance and Marco Rubio have similar favorability ratings: 34% for Vance and 32% for Rubio. However, 41% have a "very unfavorable" regard for Vance vs 30% for Rubio.
- 69% say America is off on the wrong track, vs just 16% who say it's heading in the right direction.
- 58% say US foreign policy is on the wrong track, more than double the 23% who say "right direction"