Trump Approval Hits Second-Term Low Amid Iran War and Economic Strain

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s public support has plummeted to its lowest level since his return to the White House, driven by a widening domestic backlash over military operations against Iran and an increasingly severe cost-of-living crisis at home.

​According to a comprehensive New York Times/Siena College poll of registered voters, just 37 per cent of Americans now approve of Trump’s job performance. The figure marks a stark decline for the administration as it heads toward the crucial 2026 midterm elections, with overall disapproval surging to 59 per cent.

​The poll highlights deep public anxiety over the geopolitical and domestic fallout from the conflict. Nearly two-thirds of voters (64 per cent) believe Trump’s decision to enter the war with Iran was a mistake, while fewer than one in four feel the military campaign has been worth the financial and strategic costs. Backlash is especially pronounced among independent voters, three-quarters of whom explicitly reject the intervention.

​The foreign conflict has triggered an intense economic squeeze at home, heavily influenced by the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Nationwide retail energy prices have skyrocketed, with AAA data revealing that average US petrol prices have surged to $4.52 per gallon, up significantly from $3.18 during the same period last year.

​Consequently, 64 per cent of respondents now disapprove of Trump’s management of the economy—traditionally considered a core political asset for the Republican leader. Public frustration intensified following a highly criticized remark from the president last week. When questioned on whether widespread domestic financial hardship was influencing his timeline for a Middle East peace deal, Trump responded: “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation.”

​Key Polling Data Breakdown:

• ​Overall Job Approval: 37% Approve | 59% Disapprove
• ​Iran War Decision: 64% Wrong Decision | 24% Worth the Cost * Economic Disapproval: 64% Disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy
• ​Gasoline Prices (AAA): $4.52 per gallon (current) vs. $3.18 (last year)

r)

​The domestic impact has fundamentally altered voter sentiment across independent cohorts. Currently, 47 per cent of independent voters state that the administration’s policies have actively harmed them, while 69 per cent express total disapproval of Trump’s overall executive performance.

​The poll also documents a historic demographic shift regarding Middle Eastern policy, particularly among younger Americans. Overall, formal sympathy now leans toward Palestinians over Israelis by a narrow 37 per cent to 35 per cent margin. However, among voters aged 18 to 29, that margin expands drastically, with 64 per cent expressing greater sympathy for Palestinians compared to just 14 per cent for Israel.

​Furthermore, 57 per cent of all American voters now oppose sending further military or economic aid to Israel. This opposition peaks at 95 per cent among the 18-to-29 demographic, where only 5 per cent support additional assistance.

ADVERTISEMENT

​While Republican base support remains relatively insulated—with 70 per cent of Republicans still backing the war and favoring a resumption of military operations if diplomacy fails—broader voter fatigue is heavily favoring the opposition. In a generic midterm congressional matchup, Democrats have opened an early 11-point lead, capturing 50 per cent of registered voters compared to the Republicans’ 39 per cent.

​Political analysts warn the administration faces an unsustainable domestic environment if pump prices and geopolitical tensions remain unchecked heading into November. However, the survey suggests general systemic frustration across the board; only 26 per cent of voters expressed satisfaction with the Democratic Party as a whole, indicating a electorate deeply fatigued by ongoing global instability and economic strain.