Trump’s Approval Rating Hits Lowest Of Second Term Amid Rising Fuel Costs, Iran War Fallout – Fresh Poll

Mounting economic pressure and unease over foreign policy decisions are eroding public support for United States President Donald Trump, whose approval rating has dropped to its lowest level since the start of his second term, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows.

The survey places Trump’s approval at 36 percent, down four points from 40 percent recorded a week earlier, underscoring a rapid shift in public mood amid rising fuel costs and growing scepticism about U.S. military actions involving Iran.

At the centre of the decline appears to be the economic fallout linked to the conflict.

Petrol prices have climbed following disruptions to global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for international energy supplies, after coordinated U.S. strikes on Iran.

The surge in fuel costs has intensified concerns over the broader cost of living, an area where the president is facing particularly weak approval.

Only 25 percent of respondents said they approve of Trump’s handling of living costs, highlighting deepening dissatisfaction with the administration’s economic management at a time when households are grappling with higher expenses.

The poll also reflects waning public backing for the administration’s military posture.

Support for U.S. strikes on Iran stands at 35 percent, while 61 percent of those surveyed oppose the action, suggesting a widening gap between government policy and public opinion on the conflict.

Analysts say the convergence of foreign policy tensions and domestic economic strain is shaping a more challenging political environment for the president, with voter concerns increasingly tied to everyday financial realities rather than geopolitical objectives.

The Reuters/Ipsos online poll surveyed 1,272 U.S. adults over four days and carries a margin of error of three percentage points.

Already, Trump has faced internal criticism over the ongoing war between Iran and the United States, Israel.

Earlier, US Senator Chris Murphy, representing Connecticut, said on Saturday that Trump had “lost control of this war” with Iran, warning that the region was facing escalating crises.

In a series of posts on his X account, Murphy stated, “It’s crystal clear now that Trump has lost control of this war. He badly misjudged Iran’s ability to retaliate. The region is on fire.”

Murphy outlined what he described as “the four biggest current crises,” drawing in part from closed-door briefings.

On the first crisis, Murphy noted that Trump “believed Iran would not close the Strait of Hormuz. He was wrong. And now oil prices are spiking.”

He warned that if the Strait remained closed, “a global recession will result. It actually may already be too late. Gas prices are the first to spike, but food prices are next.”

The senator also criticised the lack of a concrete plan, saying, “Right now, Trump has no plan to reopen the Strait. And a plan may not exist.”

He explained that Iran’s harassment tactics, “thousands of small drones, speed boats and mines”, are too numerous and dispersed to be fully eliminated.

Regarding naval protection for tankers, Murphy acknowledged it as a possibility but cautioned, “First, it would require our entire navy. 100 tankers need escorting each day. Second, if we can’t destroy the mines and drones, our ships are at risk too.”

On the second crisis, Murphy highlighted the evolving nature of warfare.

“We can destroy Iran’s missiles but not all their drones, and war today is drone war,” he said, pointing out that Iran could strike oil sites indefinitely with “cheap, weaponized drones.”

He cited a recent attack on a critical Oman oil depot as evidence.

He criticized Trump for ignoring lessons from other conflicts, saying, “If Trump paid any attention to the Ukraine War he would have noticed how warfare has changed. But he didn’t. And he blundered.”

Murphy also noted that Gulf states are running out of interceptors to stop Iranian missiles and drones, leaving more oil sites increasingly vulnerable.