President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 33%, according to a recent Reuters-Ipsos poll released on August 17, 2026. This rating represents a decline of 2 percentage points from earlier in the month, resulting in a 31-point gap between approval and disapproval ratings, compared to a 28-point gap in the previous poll.
This new approval rating matches the lowest recorded during his first term in December 2017. His all-time low approval rating was 29% at the end of his first term in January 2021, following the January 6 Capitol riot.
The ongoing conflict with Iran is cited as a significant factor in this decline, with approximately 80% of Americans believing the war will continue for an extended period. Only 16% of respondents think the conflict may conclude in a few weeks.
Trump had initially indicated that the war would last only a couple of weeks, but it has now extended to nearly six months, with stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
On August 17, Trump issued a warning regarding Oman, stating he would take military action if the country interfered in the Strait of Hormuz, where negotiations are ongoing to reopen the strategic waterway.
The prolonged conflict is expected to impact Trump and the Republican Party as the midterm elections approach, with the House GOP's narrow majority at risk. Voters are also facing financial challenges due to high inflation rates and gasoline prices, which are key issues in political campaigns.
The poll surveyed 1,666 U.S. adults nationwide from August 14 to August 17 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.