Trump's Approval Trend Slides Following the U.S.-Iran War

A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that President Donald Trump's approval rating among Americans stands at 36% as of March 23, 2026.

According to Reuters, this figure has fallen in recent days to its lowest point since Trump returned to the White House, driven by widespread disapproval of the war he launched against Iran.

"Some 36% of Americans approve of Trump's job performance, down from 40% in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted the previous week," wrote Jason Lange and Bo Erickson in their Reuters report on Wednesday (3/25/2026).

According to the authors, Americans' views on Trump have soured significantly with regard to his stewardship over the economy and the cost of living, as gasoline prices have surged following the coordinated strikes the U.S. and Israel launched on Iran on February 28, 2026.

Sector-based polling results show that only 29% of Americans approve of Trump's economic stewardship — the lowest rating across either of Trump's two presidential administrations and lower than any economic approval rating recorded under his predecessor, Joe Biden.

"Voters' worries about the economy and specifically the rising cost of living were a significant factor in Biden's loss, while Trump campaigned on a promise to build a vibrant economy," the authors noted.

(Read: From Bush to Trump, the U.S. Has Bombed 10 Countries Since 2001)

Shifting Assessments Due to the Iran War

The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is believed to be reshaping how Americans evaluate Trump.

The survey found that 35% of Americans approve of the U.S. strikes on Iran, down from 37% the previous week. A majority — around 61% — disapprove of the strikes, up from 59% the week before.

"Earlier Reuters/Ipsos surveys were conducted in the immediate aftermath of the first U.S. and Israeli strikes, when many Americans were still learning about the situation, and respondents were given the option of saying they were unsure of their views," the authors explained.

The authors detailed that a poll conducted February 28–March 1 found 27% approved of the strikes, 43% disapproved, and 29% were unsure.

It is worth noting that the most recent survey did not offer an "unsure" option, though 5% of respondents to the latest poll declined to answer the question regarding their views on the war.

(Read: Majority of Americans Dissatisfied with Trump Across All Indicators)