Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Trump's approval rating hits all-time low ahead of US midterms
Donald Trump is the President of the United States right now.
A new poll shows many Americans are unhappy with his work.
Only 33 out of every 100 people say they approve of him, the lowest number of his presidency.
One big reason is the war with Iran, which pushed up the price of gasoline.
Trump promised the war would last just a few weeks, but it has lasted for months.
Most Americans think it will keep going for a long time.
Only a few people think the war was worth it.
Higher gas prices and the cost of everyday things are upsetting voters.
Because of this, the Democratic Party is gaining support before the big election in November 2026.
Even on immigration, where Republicans used to be far ahead, their lead is now very small.
Trump's approval rating fell to 33% from 35%, with 64% disapproval, in a Reuters/Ipsos poll concluded Monday, the lowest of his presidency.
The ongoing US-Iran war has disrupted about a fifth of global oil trade and pushed up gasoline prices; Trump initially said the conflict would last only a few weeks.
Some 80% of Americans expect US involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period, while only 20% believe the war has been worth the cost.
For the first time in about a decade, voters prefer Democrats over Republicans on the economy (38% to 35%), and a Financial Times/Focaldata poll gives Democrats a 5-point lead before the midterms.
Republicans' advantage on immigration has narrowed to 2 points (40% to 38%), down from a 26-point lead in January 2025.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, American voters, and the Democratic and Republican parties
- What
- Trump's approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency amid the US-Iran war, rising gasoline prices, and inflation concerns ahead of the November midterm elections
- When
- A four-day Reuters/Ipsos poll concluded on Monday, ahead of the November 3, 2026 US midterm elections
- Where
- United States; the conflict has also restricted oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz
- Why
- The US-Iran war disrupted about a fifth of global oil trade, raising gasoline prices and fuelling voter frustration over inflation and the cost of living
Administration's position
Voter sentiment
US-Iran war
Administration's position
Trump frames the conflict as a necessary response to failures by previous administrations and says paying a little more for gasoline is worth preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Voter sentiment
Only 20% of Americans believe the war has been worth the cost, and 80% expect US involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period.
Economy and inflation
Administration's position
Trump blames his predecessor Joe Biden for a weak economy and high inflation despite having been in office for over 18 months.
Voter sentiment
More than half of voters say they are financially worse off since Trump's second term, and 64% disapprove of his handling of inflation and the cost of living.
- Approval rating (Reuters/Ipsos)
- 33%, down from 35% (tied December 2017 low)
- Disapproval rating
- 64%
- FT/Focaldata poll
- 35% approval, 55% disapproval; Democrats lead by 5 points
- Midterm elections
- November 3, 2026
- Americans expecting prolonged Iran involvement
- 80% (87% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans)
- Americans saying the war was worth the cost
- 20% (about half of Republicans)
- Economic stewardship
- Democrats 38% vs Republicans 35%
- Immigration
- Republicans 40% vs Democrats 38%; edge down from 26 points in January 2025
