Trump approval rating hits career low of 32% amid Iran war, high costs

What Happened

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted online over four days and closing Sunday found United States President Donald Trump's approval rating at 32 percent, the lowest of his political career, down from 35 percent a week earlier. The drop was driven by souring Republican views on his handling of the cost of living amid the war on Iran that Trump launched in February; 73 percent of Republicans approved of Trump's job performance, down from 82 percent in the prior week, and 51 percent of Republicans now disapprove of his handling of the cost of living versus 44 percent who approve. Only 17 percent of all respondents approved of his cost-of-living handling. The poll gathered 1,277 responses from U.S. adults nationwide and had a margin of error of three percentage points. Trump said on Wednesday that the United States is "hopefully toward the end" of its war with Iran and raised the prospect of renewed diplomacy, even as fighting continues in Yemen, while Tehran has not confirmed that direct negotiations with Washington have resumed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The poll links Trump's domestic political standing directly to the economic fallout of the Iran war, with cost of living identified as the top issue for the November 3 midterm elections, where Trump's Republicans are defending narrow congressional majorities. A sustained drop in Republican approval, particularly on costs driven by higher gasoline and diesel prices, could erode the political viability of continued military action and increase pressure for a diplomatic off-ramp with Tehran.

Watch For

Monitor whether Tehran confirms direct negotiations with Washington and whether Trump moves from "hopefully toward the end" to a concrete ceasefire or diplomatic channel. Also watch for continued fighting in Yemen, any change in gasoline and diesel prices, and the next Reuters/Ipsos approval tracking polls ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.