Trump approval hits record low as he calls polls a conspiracy
President Donald Trump's approval rating has stalled at a record low of 33% in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, matching the lowest point of his entire presidency. With 65% disapproving and U.S. support for the Iran war falling to 31%, the survey lands as Republicans brace for November midterms—and Trump dismissed the numbers as a Democratic plot.
The four-day poll of 1,215 U.S. adults, conducted Aug. 21–24 with a margin of error of three percentage points, marks the second consecutive Reuters/Ipsos survey showing trump approval at this floor. The figure ties his December 2017 nadir and sits 14 points below the 47% he held at the start of his second term, according to The Hill.
Key Takeaways
- Trump's job approval held at 33% while disapproval rose to 65% in the Aug. 21–24 Reuters/Ipsos poll.
- Only 31% of Americans now support U.S. military action against Iran—the lowest since the conflict began.
- Approval has slid 14 points since January 2025, with the unpopular war and economic worries driving the decline.
- Trump responded by calling independent polls fake "Demoralization Operations" orchestrated by Democrats.
- The numbers arrive as Republicans face midterm headwinds with the Iran war nearing its six-month mark.
Why Is Trump's Approval Rating at a Record Low?
Public frustration with the prolonged conflict in Iran appears to be the primary drag. Just 31% of respondents backed U.S. military action against Iran, down from 37% in March and 34% earlier in August, Reuters reported. The drop was driven in part by waning support among self-identified Republicans.
Meanwhile, 83% of Americans expect the war to continue for an extended period—up from 80% in the prior survey. The Hill noted that the conflict is approaching its six-month mark, compounding voter anxiety about the economy as midterms draw closer.
How Does This Compare to Trump's Past Numbers?
When Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, roughly 47% approved of his performance while 41% disapproved. That 14-point approval slide and 24-point disapproval jump represent one of the steepest early-term reversals in modern polling.
The 33% figure now matches the lowest approval Reuters/Ipsos recorded during his first term in December 2017. A polling average tracked by Decision Desk HQ put his approval at 38.7% on Tuesday morning—higher than this survey but still well underwater.
What Did Trump Say About the Poll Numbers?
Rather than acknowledge the data, Trump published a social media post Monday afternoon claiming "Radical Left Democrats" were running "Fake Polls" as part of what he called "Demoralization Operations" designed to discourage Republican voters, MS NOW reported.
He insisted that undisclosed internal polls were "tremendous" and that "the Spirit in our Country has never been higher." Critics noted parallels to 2018, when Trump dismissed warnings about midterm losses—only to watch Republicans suffer their worst midterm cycle since Watergate.
Why Does This Poll Matter for the 2026 Midterms?
Presidential approval historically shapes midterm outcomes, and a sitting president below 40% often signals trouble for his party in Congress. Republicans currently control both chambers, but party leaders have privately warned of significant headwinds as voters sour on the Iran war and economic conditions.
For more on the stranger side of American politics, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage—where headline-grabbing twists like this conspiracy-laden poll push often land first.