Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, promising to tame inflation, revitalize the American economy, and avoid "stupid wars." However, he now faces the most severe political crisis of his second term as the Middle East conflict escalates.
AReuters and Ipsos poll published on March 25 revealed Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to a new low of 36%. With domestic gasoline prices surging by roughly one dollar per gallon, over 60% of Americans oppose military strikes against Iran.
The four-day national online survey concluded on March 24, covering 1,272 American adults with a margin of error of 3 percentage points. These results offer a clear portrait of deep voter dissatisfaction ahead of the crucial midterm elections later this year.
From Triumphant Return To Cratering Approval
Following Trump's return to the White House last year, his overall approval rating stood at a comfortable 47%. Even after he formally announced a disruptive reciprocal tariff regime on April 2, his approval rating remained largely stable in the low forties.
That political stability vanished once he ordered military strikes on Iran. The subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the massive oil price spike rapidly drove his approval rating down from around 40% to the current low of 36%.
While this figure remains slightly above his first-term low of 33%, the rapid pace of deterioration has drawn significant attention across Washington. Reuters attributed this collapse to out-of-control fuel prices and steadily growing anti-war sentiment since the Feb. 28 strikes.
The Price At The Pump Drives Discontent
Trump's 2024 campaign successfully tied the previous administration to high prices and persistent inflation, pledging to deliver a dynamic economic environment. However, the political reversal has been remarkably swift for American households struggling with the rising cost of living.
According to the recent poll, only 25% of respondents approved of Trump's handling of living costs, and just 29% approved of his overall economic management. Reuters noted these represent the lowest economic approval ratings recorded across both of Trump's administrations.
Since the U.S. strikes on Iran commenced, average domestic gasoline prices have surged by approximately one dollar per gallon. For Americans who depend heavily on cars to commute, gas station price boards have become the most immediate measure of political discontent.
The survey also found that 63% of Americans described the current national economy as somewhat or very weak. Even among Trump's core Republican base, 40% held a pessimistic economic view, while 66% of independent voters shared that negative outlook.
The Political Liability Of Foreign Wars
Beyond the domestic economy, Trump's repeated campaign pledge to keep America out of foreign wars has become a persistent political liability. He likely calculated that Operation Epic Fury would produce a clean military success comparable to recent interventions in Venezuela.
The military operation successfully assassinated Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a move that initially stunned the world. The problem for Washington is that the Tehran government has not collapsed as a result, leading to severe geopolitical and economic blowback.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory strikes against regional oil-producing nations have triggered a massive global energy crisis. Despite Trump insisting the U.S. is winning, oil prices remain above $100 per barrel and show no sign of retreating.
Only 35% of Americans currently approve of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran, dropping from 37% the previous week. Meanwhile, a decisive 61% of respondents now disapprove of the military action, up from 59% during the prior week of polling.
Reuters traced how public opinion has hardened significantly since the conflict began. During the initial phase of hostilities in late February, 27% approved of the strikes, 43% opposed them and 29% remained undecided as they absorbed the breaking news.
Concerns regarding long-term national security run even deeper among the American public. The poll found that 46% of respondents believe the ongoing war with Iran will ultimately make the United States less safe, while only 26% believe it will improve security.
Trump recently attempted to manage domestic sentiment by hinting that the Middle East conflict could end soon. However, events on the ground have consistently contradicted the White House's optimistic messaging as Iran continues to heavily deny that negotiations are underway.
Arecent Reuters report revealed that Washington plans to deploy thousands of additional troops to the Middle East. This major troop movement has effectively punctured any lingering public expectation of a near-term American military withdrawal from the volatile region. （Related： Chinese AI Animation Satirizes US-Iran Conflict, Stirs Domestic Debate ｜ Latest ）
