President Donald Trump’s approval rating has stalled at the lowest point of his political career, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, as widespread dissatisfaction over the war in Iran and the Republican Party’s handling of the economy threatens to weigh down GOP candidates heading into the November 3 midterm elections.
Just 33% of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing in the White House, marking the third consecutive Reuters/Ipsos poll to record that figure. The president’s standing has remained at this level since mid-August, a sharp decline from the 47% approval he enjoyed early in his current term.
Republicans Face Enthusiasm Gap and Independent Voter Deficit
Trump’s political brand increasingly appears to be a liability for his party, which is defending slim congressional majorities. The poll reveals a significant enthusiasm gap, with 46% of self-identified Democrats describing themselves as “very enthusiastic” about voting in November, compared to only 31% of Republicans.
Among independent voters, the survey found a stark preference for Democratic candidates in a hypothetical congressional election held today: 36% of independents said they would back Democrats, while just 22% favored Republicans.
Economic Discontent and War Fatigue Drive Unpopularity
The president’s approval rating has fallen below the lowest point reached by his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, who hit 35% approval in October 2024. Like Biden, Trump has been dogged by persistent public frustration over high inflation and the cost of living.
Gasoline prices have surged since Trump ordered U.S. forces to begin bombing Iran in February, and the conflict remains deeply unpopular. Only 36% of Americans approve of the war, the poll shows. Despite long lulls in fighting, recent weeks have seen renewed missile strikes between the two sides, and Iran has largely blocked a critical transit point for global oil trade since the war began.
The economic fallout is stark: 71% of Americans—including four in 10 Republicans—disapprove of how Trump is handling the cost of living. For the past month, registered voters have said the Democratic Party has better ideas for the economy than the Republican Party, marking the first time Democrats have led on that issue in roughly a decade.
The four-day poll surveyed 1,167 U.S. adults nationwide and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points in either direction.
