President Donald Trump is facing a significant decline in public support, with his approval rating falling to a new record low since he returned to the White House. According to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released on August 17, only one in three Americans now approves of his performance in office.
The latest data indicates a 33% approval rating, representing a two-percentage-point decrease compared to polling conducted earlier this month. This figure matches the president’s lowest recorded approval rating from his first term, which occurred in December 2017. The survey was conducted between August 14 and 17, involving 1,166 U.S. adults, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
This downward trend in public sentiment coincides with widespread apprehension regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Approximately 80% of Americans—including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans—expressed concern that U.S. involvement in the region will persist for an “extended period of time.”
The geopolitical instability has had tangible economic consequences, as the conflict has disrupted roughly one-fifth of the global oil trade. Data from AAA shows that the average cost of a gallon of gasoline reached $4.06 on August 17, marking a nearly one-dollar increase from the $3.13 recorded on the same date in 2025.
Public pessimism regarding the war is further fueled by recent tensions involving regional allies. President Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if the nation’s negotiations with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz hinder U.S. efforts to secure a peace agreement with Tehran.
While individual surveys may fluctuate, major polling averages confirm that the president remains in negative territory. As of August 17, RealClearPolitics reported a 39.2% approval and 58.4% disapproval rating. Similarly, the New York Times recorded 37% approval against 60% disapproval, while the Silver Bulletin showed 38.3% approval and 58.0% disapproval. The report also notes that in December 2017, the numbers also tie Trump’s worst approval rating during his first term in office. The report also notes that the president’s continued slump in the polls comes as an overwhelming majority of Americans said they were concerned that the war on Iran would continue for an extended period of time. The report also notes that the average price of a gallon of gas sat at $4.06 on Aug, according to AAA.