Trump Plunges: Approval Hits New Low

Trump’s approval has dropped to 33%, the lowest of his presidency, as most Americans expect the Iran war to drag on.

Story Snapshot

Reuters/Ipsos finds 33% approve and 64% disapprove of President Trump’s job performance.
The 33% reading marks the lowest approval point of Trump’s presidency to date.
Large majorities expect long U.S. involvement in the Iran war, which remains unpopular.
Reuters explains its polling uses national samples with stated margins of error.

What the new poll shows

Reuters/Ipsos reported that 33% of U.S. adults approve of President Trump’s job performance, while 64% disapprove, in a survey that closed August 17. Reuters summarized it as the lowest reading of his presidency so far, down from 35% earlier this month. The same survey found strong public concern that U.S. involvement in the Iran war will continue for a long time. The Hill relayed the topline numbers and a sample size near twelve hundred, consistent with recent Reuters/Ipsos waves.

Reuters has documented a steady slide in approval this year as the Iran conflict endured and living costs stayed high at times. Earlier waves showed 36% approval in March and 34% in late April as support for the war also sagged. Other outlets tracking opinion on the conflict show similar patterns: Gallup found 34% support for U.S. military action against Iran about three months into the campaign, suggesting a hard ceiling on war backing so far.

How this fits longer polling patterns

Polling often moves with major events, but big “rally around the flag” effects from war are rare and tend to fade fast. A historical review found only a few clear, double-digit approval bounces after conflicts since World War Two, which helps explain why sustained gains have not appeared now. Support for the Iran war has been low across several surveys this year, limiting room for a durable approval lift as the operation continues.

Reuters explains that its public opinion surveys use address-based national samples of adults, gathered online through a managed research panel. Large national samples can reduce random error, but all polls have margins of error, which Reuters typically reports for adults and for subgroups that are larger. That structure helps readers weigh month-to-month shifts of a few points against expected sampling noise, yet the latest two-point drop still leaves approval at a new term low.

Why both parties should care

Voters on the right and left have voiced a shared belief that Washington is not solving core problems. Many think leaders in both parties protect their power while everyday families face higher bills, war risks, and stalled wages. The new 33% approval mark reflects that mood. Americans do not see a clear end to the Iran war, and few feel the costs are worth it, which keeps pressure on the White House and on Congress as they control the levers of policy.

[Trump approval falls to 33%, lowest of his presidency, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds]

“Trump's approval rating fell to the lowest level of his presidency, ‌with a overwhelming majority of Americans concerned the US war with Iran will last a long time“https://t.co/81rr6tSBeh pic.twitter.com/8Q3R88DvNv

— Norio Nakatsuji (@norionakatsuji) August 18, 2026

For conservatives 40 and older who blame globalism, high energy costs, and endless wars, this poll confirms deep frustration. For liberals 40 and older who oppose “America First” policies and fear rising inequality, it also shows concern that current choices are not fixing kitchen-table issues. When approval sinks this far, it signals that many citizens doubt federal leaders can manage war, prices, and trust at the same time. The number is one metric, but the message is broad.

What to watch next

Policy steps that shorten the war or define clear goals could change opinion. A plan that eases energy costs and shields family budgets could also matter. Reuters/Ipsos runs regular national polls, and movement within a few points is normal, but new lows often shape headlines and strategy. Watch for shifts among independents and among voters who rate the economy as their top issue. Those groups often swing fastest when war news and prices move together.