U.S. President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 33%, reaching the lowest point of his presidency. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that 64% of Americans disapprove of the way Trump is doing his job. The result is raising new questions about Trump's political strength as the United States moves closer to the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump's approval rating was 35% earlier this month. The latest 33% figure is also tied with his lowest approval rating from his first presidency, recorded in December 2017. The new poll was conducted among 1,166 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of about 3 percentage points.
Iran War Hurts Trump's Support
One of the biggest problems for Trump is the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran.
When Trump supported military action against Iran, he said the conflict could be resolved quickly. But many Americans now believe the war could continue for a much longer time.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that about 80% of Americans expect U.S. involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period. That includes people from both major political parties, although Democrats are more likely than Republicans to expect a long conflict.
Only about one-third of Americans support the U.S. war with Iran. Earlier polling also showed that support for the conflict remained below 40% for several months.
This creates a difficult situation for Trump. A president usually wants voters to believe that military action is achieving its goals. But if people think a war is becoming longer and more expensive, public support can fall.
Rising Gas Prices Are Another Problem
The Iran conflict is also affecting energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global oil shipments. Continued tension in the region has raised fears that oil supplies could be disrupted. Brent crude recently moved above $90 a barrel as concerns about the conflict increased.
Higher oil prices can lead to higher gasoline prices in the United States.
That matters politically because Americans notice fuel prices very quickly. Higher gas prices can also increase the cost of transporting food and other products.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll earlier this month found that 58% of Americans expected gasoline prices to get worse, while only 15% expected them to improve.
For Trump, this is especially important because the cost of living and the economy were major issues during his election campaign.
Americans Are Also Worried About the Economy
Trump's falling approval rating is not only about foreign policy.
Many Americans remain concerned about prices, household expenses and the overall economy. Recent polling has shown that Democrats have started to gain an advantage over Republicans when voters are asked which party is better at handling the economy. Reuters reported earlier this month that Democrats had taken the lead on the economy for the first time in nearly a decade.
That could become important during the midterm elections.
If voters believe the economy is getting worse, they may punish the party in power. This has happened many times in U.S. politics.
A Problem for Republicans Before the Midterms
The timing is not good for Trump and the Republican Party.
The 2026 U.S. midterm elections are approaching, and Republicans are trying to protect their control of Congress.
Trump remains one of the most important figures in the Republican Party. His popularity can therefore affect Republican candidates across the country.
A weak approval rating does not automatically mean Republicans will lose elections. However, it can make races more difficult, especially in closely divided areas.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll also found that Republicans have lost much of their earlier advantage over Democrats on immigration. Their lead on that issue has narrowed sharply compared with early 2025.
What Does the 33% Approval Rating Mean?
A 33% approval rating means roughly one out of every three Americans surveyed said they approve of Trump's job performance.
By comparison, almost two out of every three said they disapprove.
This does not mean every American has turned against Trump. His support remains strong among many Republicans. But his overall support across the country is now at a very low level.
The biggest challenge for Trump may be convincing voters that his policies are improving their lives.
If gasoline prices continue to rise, the Iran conflict continues for months, and economic concerns grow, his approval rating could remain under pressure.
Trump Still Has Time to Change the Situation
The latest poll is a warning sign, but it is not a prediction of the future.
Political opinions can change quickly. A major improvement in the economy, lower gas prices, or progress toward ending the Iran conflict could help Trump regain some support.
The opposite could also happen.
If the war becomes longer, energy prices rise further, or Americans become more worried about the economy, Trump's political problems could become bigger.
For now, the 33% approval rating is a clear warning for the president. Trump entered his second term promising strong leadership and major changes. But with the Iran conflict continuing and Americans worried about prices, more voters are now questioning his performance.
The coming months will show whether Trump can turn the numbers around before voters go to the polls in the 2026 midterm elections.