President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33 percent amid the ongoing war with Iran, with recent surveys showing declining support among several key blocs that helped propel him back to the White House. The August 14-17 /Ipsos poll found 33 percent of respondents approved of Trump's performance—the lowest level seen over his two terms in the Oval Office—while 64 percent disapproved. The poll surveyed 1,166 U.S. adults online and had a margin of error of about 3 percentage points.
Eight in 10 respondents were concerned the U.S. war with Iran will last a “long time,” as rising gas prices fueled broader concerns about the cost of living. That included 87 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans. Trump’s approval rating has trended downward since the war began in late February and is now tied with its lowest level in /Ipsos polling, recorded in December 2017 during his first term.
The latest Economist/YouGov Poll released on August 11 shows the lowest net approval ratings Trump has received among women (-36), white Americans (-19) and college graduates (-42). Patrick Casale, Trump supporter and senior adviser to Nevada GOP Chairman Michael McDonald, told Newsweek that he was not surprised to see a decline in approval among these groups. Americans continue identifying the economy as the most important issue facing the country—one that will remain top of mind as voters head to the ballot box come November.
Nationwide, gas prices are the highest ever recorded for August as a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire is set to expire Monday amid stalled talks. Gas prices climbed back above $4 per gallon over the last week, “as rebounding oil prices driven by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries kept upward pressure on the market,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. The national average for a gallon of gas is currently $4.06, according to AAA.
Just two months ago, 70 percent of Americans disapproved of Trump's handling of the cost of living, while 59 percent expected gas prices to worsen over the following year, according to a /Ipsos poll released June 8. With less than 80 days until midterms, Casale said the next two weeks are crucial for the administration to end the war. If not, “what could have been an incredibly successful midterm for the Republicans is up in the air… and that’s because the Democrats are so bad.” Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T.
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