A new Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 36% among Americans, driven by concerns over the cost of living and the Iran conflict.
Falling Presidential Approval
A four-day poll concluded Monday showed 36% of Americans view Donald Trump favorably, down from 40% in a similar Reuters/Ipsos survey the previous week. Reuters highlighted a particularly sharp decline in the president’s ratings regarding the cost of living.
Following coordinated strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran on February 28th, fuel prices rose, and only 25% of respondents positively assess Trump’s handling of the issue. Cost of living was a central theme of his 2024 presidential campaign.
Growing Criticism Over Iran Conflict
The survey also shows a decrease in support for U.S. attacks on Iran. Currently, 35% of respondents approve, compared to 37% the previous week. 61% of respondents disapprove, up from 59% in the prior poll.
Reuters noted that the conflict with Iran could increasingly weigh politically on the president, who upon returning to the White House, pledged to avoid “stupid wars.”
Republican Support Remains Relatively Stable
Despite the decline in Trump’s overall ratings, his position within the Republican Party remains relatively stable. Approximately one-fifth of Republican voters view his performance negatively, a slight change from the previous week.
However, the percentage of Republicans dissatisfied with Trump’s handling of the cost of living has increased, rising to 34% from 27% the previous week.
No Immediate Weakening for Republicans in Congressional Races
The poll does not indicate that Trump’s declining ratings will automatically weaken Republicans ahead of the November Congressional elections. 38% of registered voters believe the Republican Party is better at handling the economy, while 34% favor the Democrats.
This indicator is not necessarily aligned with support for candidates in the Congressional elections. A recent YouGov poll for “The Economist” shows 45% of registered voters plan to vote for a Democratic candidate, and 42% for a Republican candidate.
Methodology
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online among a sample of 1,272 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.