Trump’s Iran war starts losing Americans

In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, public support for the war with Iran has plummeted to its lowest point since the beginning of the conflict, contributing to President Donald Trump's record low popularity. The survey revealed that only 31% of Americans endorse U.S. military action against Iran, a significant drop from 37% in March and 34% earlier this month. This decline in support is primarily attributed to a decrease in backing from Republican respondents, with 69% now in favor of the war, down from 77% in March.

The ongoing war has taken a toll on Trump's public image, with just 33% of respondents approving of his performance in the White House, marking the lowest level in recent Reuters/Ipsos polls during his first or second term. Trump has argued that the war is essential to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, but the conflict has cooled in recent months. However, Iran has maintained a de facto blockade of oil exports, resulting in U.S. gasoline prices nearing record highs.

A majority of Americans, 83%, believe the war will continue for an extended period, up from 80% earlier this month. The poll also found that 83% of the country anticipates the war will persist for an extended timeframe, an increase from 80% earlier in the month.

At the outset of his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to control inflation and avert prolonged military engagements. Six months into the Iran war, U.S. gasoline prices have surged more than a dollar per gallon compared to pre-war levels, negatively impacting Trump's Republican allies preparing for the November 3 midterm elections.

In the poll, independent voters showed a preference for Democrats, with 33% favoring the Democratic Party over the Republican Party, which received 19% support when asked about their congressional election preferences. The survey polled 1,215 U.S. adults nationwide, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.