He started a war, now he's paying the price: Trump's ratings crash to historic lows

Public opinion often shifts in response to major political decisions and economic conditions, especially during periods of international conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump is witnessing his approval ratings drop to their lowest point since making a return to the White House, as economic tension and backlash in the Iran conflict weigh heavily on public perspective, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.

Approval hits new low

The weekly poll, issued on March 24, shows that 36% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance, a decline from 40% just a week earlier. This signifies a major decrease and showcasing growing dissatisfaction among voters.

Earlier in his term, Trump’s approval was at 47% in his first days back in office and had hovered almost 40% in recent months, making the latest decline especially significant.

Economic pressure fuels discontent

Increasing prices of food and gas costs have become a significant concern for Americans, particularly following the joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran that started on February 28.

As per the Reuters/Ipsos poll, only 25% of Americans approve of Trump’s management of the cost of living, a concern that was major to his 2024 campaign. The surge in daily expenses seems to be a significant driver behind the decline in public support.

War in Iran draws mixed reactions

The ongoing situation with Iran, currently entering its fourth week, continues to be deeply controversial. Almost half of Americans disapprove of Trump’s management of the war or the wider military actions.

Support for the U.S. strikes stands at 35%, down from 37% the earlier week, though still more than the 27% recorded in the primary poll made between February 28 and March 1. Meanwhile, total disapproval has increased to 61%, featuring a growing disappointment.

Political risks ahead of midterms

Persistently low approval ratings could result in challenges for Republicans focusing to retain control of Congress in the forthcoming midterm elections. With primaries already underway, Trump’s national standing may impact voter turnout and party momentum.

Despite this, Trump remains to maintain relatively strong support within his party. Around 1 in 5 Republicans disapprove of his total performance, compared to around 1 in 7 in the earlier week’s poll. However, dissatisfaction is increasing on economic concerns, with 34% of Republicans currently disapproving of his management of the cost of living, up from 27%.

Divided public opinion

While Trump’s overall approval is reducing, the poll indicates that voters remain divided on economic leadership. Almost 38% of registered voters believe Republicans are better at handling the U.S. economy, when it is compared to 34% who favor Democrats.

FAQs:

Q1. What does the latest poll reveal about Donald Trump’s approval?
It shows a decline in approval ratings compared to the previous week. This suggests growing dissatisfaction among the public.

Q2. Who conducted the poll mentioned in the report?
The survey was carried out by Reuters in partnership with Ipsos. It is part of their regular tracking of public opinion.