President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33%, the lowest level of his presidency, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted August 14-17 and released Monday. The rating marks a 2-point drop from 35% earlier in the month and ties his previous low of 33% reached in December 2017 during his first term. In the latest survey of 1,166 U.S. adults, 64% disapprove of Trump’s job performance.
The decline reflects deepening public concern over the ongoing war with Iran, which Trump initiated alongside Israel earlier this year. According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll, 80% of Americans—including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans—believe U.S. involvement in Iran “will go on for an extended period of time,” contradicting Trump’s initial pledge that the conflict would take only a few weeks.
The Iran war has disrupted global oil markets, with the conflict paralyzing a fifth of global oil trade and triggering a surge in gasoline prices that weighs on U.S. households. Trump has defended the higher costs at campaign rallies, telling supporters in Garden City, New York, on August 14 that paying “a tiny little bit more for your gasoline” is worth ensuring “a very evil country” cannot develop nuclear weapons.
Public support for the military campaign remains limited. Only one in five Americans—and just half of Republicans—believe the war has been worth the cost, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos findings. The conflict has become a central concern for Republicans defending their slim House majority in the November 3 midterm elections.
Economic concerns extend beyond energy costs. For the first time in roughly a decade, a majority of voters prefer Democrats over Republicans on handling the economy. The August Reuters/Ipsos poll found 38% of voters believe Democrats will manage the economy better, compared to 35% who favor the Republican approach. Democrats also lead on managing the cost of living.
Trump’s approval on specific issues has deteriorated further. His handling of inflation and prices reached a net rating of -44 in August, the lowest of his second term, according to the Economist/YouGov tracker. Meanwhile, Republican advantage on immigration policy—once a cornerstone of Trump’s political strength—has narrowed to just 2 percentage points, down from a 26-point lead in January 2025, as deadly confrontations at the border and a surge in detained children have drawn criticism.
The current 33% approval rating places Trump below most recent presidents at comparable points in their terms. Pew Research noted in early August that Trump’s job approval of 34% was lower than most modern presidents at similar stages, accompanied by a partisan gap of 78 percentage points—a sign of deep political polarization.
Sources
- Reuters — confirmed 33% approval rating in Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted August 14-17, 64% disapproval, 80% belief Iran war will last extended period, only one in five think war worth it, Democrats lead on economy for first time in decade
- Forbes — reported Trump’s 33% approval rating as record low for second term, 80% of Americans expect extended Iran involvement
- Pew Research Center — Trump’s job approval sits at 34%, lower than most recent presidents at comparable points, with partisan gap of 78 percentage points
- Economist/YouGov — Trump’s net approval rating on inflation and prices reached -44 in August, lowest of second term
