Trump approval hits 33%, lowest of his presidency

In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, President Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted to 33%, marking the lowest level of his presidency. A significant 64% of surveyed Americans disapproved of his performance in the White House. This decline is a stark contrast to his 35% approval rating in a poll conducted earlier this month, and it's the lowest point of his current term, tied with December 2017.

The drop in Trump's popularity is attributed to his decision to order strikes on Iran alongside U.S. ally Israel. The ensuing conflict has had far-reaching consequences, affecting the global oil trade and causing a surge in gasoline prices, which is negatively impacting U.S. households. Despite Trump's initial promise that the conflict would last only a few weeks, Iran has proven resilient, maintaining the oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz and prolonging the conflict.

Public opinion on the duration of U.S. involvement in Iran is overwhelmingly negative, with 80% of Americans, including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans, believing the conflict will last for an extended period. Only 16% of respondents think the conflict will end in a few weeks. Trump has justified the high gas prices by claiming it's worth the cost of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

However, the war's worth remains a contentious issue. Only one in five Americans, and half of Republicans, believe the war has been worthwhile. The conflict has also stirred concerns about the November midterm elections, with Democrats seeing an opportunity to gain ground in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling indicates that voters prefer Democrats over Republicans to manage the economy and cost of living, a shift that has never been seen in about a decade.