President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to its lowest point of his second term, with growing numbers of Americans turning against him due to the war with Iran and the rising cost of living. A recent New York Times/Siena poll found that just 37% of voters approve of the president's performance, the weakest figures since Trump returned to the White House in January 2025 and a troubling sign for Republicans ahead of the US midterm elections.
Economic Fallout from Iran Conflict
The poll suggests voters are increasingly frustrated by the economic fallout linked to the conflict in Iran. Petrol prices have surged over the past year, household costs remain stubbornly high, and many Americans appear unconvinced that the war is worth it. The nationwide average fuel price in the US now stands at almost $4.52 per gallon, according to AAA data, up from $3.18 a year ago. For many voters, filling up the car has become noticeably more painful, particularly for those already struggling with everyday bills. Nearly two-thirds of voters now say Trump's decision to go to war with Iran was the wrong one, and fewer than one in four Americans believe the conflict has been worth the cost. More than half of voters also said the US should not return to war if a diplomatic deal fails to materialize.
Party Divide and Economic Disapproval
The issue remains sharply divided along party lines, with around 70% of Republicans still supporting Trump's decision to enter the conflict. However, the president is now running into the red across most major policy areas, including immigration, the economy, the cost of living, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Around 64% of voters disapprove of Trump's handling of the economy, traditionally one of his strongest issues. His comments on the financial strain facing the electorate also attracted attention; when asked whether economic hardship was pushing him towards a peace deal, Trump replied: 'I don't think about Americans' financial situation.'
Independent Voters Drift Away
Independent voters appear to be drifting away from him in growing numbers. Among independents, 47% now say Trump's policies have personally hurt them, up from 41% last autumn before the election. Polling on Israel and Palestine also revealed shifting attitudes among younger Americans. More respondents said they sympathized more with Palestinians than Israelis, by 37% to 35%. Among voters aged 18 to 29, the divide was much sharper: 64% sympathized more with Palestinians, while just 14% supported Israel more. Support for further American backing of Israel was limited overall, with only 37% supporting additional economic and military support. Among younger adults, support was even lower, with just 5% of voters aged 18-29 backing additional support.
Broader Political Frustration
President Trump's approval ratings had already been slipping before the latest crisis. By October 2025, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Lowell found his approval rating had fallen to 42%, noting that much of the goodwill from his election victory appeared to have faded. The latest figures also underline broader frustration with American politics. Democrats are hardly riding a wave of enthusiasm; only 26% of voters said they were satisfied with the Democratic Party, while 44% of Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with their own party. For the White House, the immediate concern is the growing sense that voters are seriously losing patience over rising costs and a war that many believe the United States should never have entered. In terms of polling, it is worrying times for President Trump.
