Trump Approval Hits Second-Term Low in Reuters/Ipsos Poll

Politics & Society

President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has reached 33% in a nationwide survey, marking the lowest Reuters/Ipsos approval rating recorded during his second term.

The survey, conducted August 14–17, 2026, sampled 1,166 adults nationwide and found that 64% disapproved of Trump’s job performance. The 33% approval mark represents a decline from 35% recorded in the prior survey. The survey also measured concern about economic conditions and the prospect of prolonged U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran.

National Survey Findings and Context

The headline figures illustrate the broader distribution of public sentiment across the country. The national result may indicate weaker support beyond the president’s partisan base, but the survey does not by itself establish that the decline is concentrated entirely among independents or swing-district moderates.

Historical approval data from Gallup can provide context for comparing presidential ratings over time, although Gallup discontinued its regular presidential approval tracking in February 2026.

Public Expectations on Foreign Conflict

The survey also examined public expectations about U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran. Specifically, about 80% said they expected U.S. involvement in the conflict with Iran to continue for an extended period.

This expectation of prolonged U.S. involvement could create an additional political challenge for the administration, alongside ongoing public discussions regarding economic conditions and domestic policy priorities.

Midterm Environment and Competitive House Ratings

National approval ratings are often used as one indicator of the political environment facing congressional candidates.

According to the cited Cook Political Report ratings, 18 House races are classified as Toss-Up, including 14 Republican-held districts and four Democratic-held districts. If the current political environment persists, Republican incumbents in these competitive districts could face a more difficult campaign environment as both parties evaluate their strategies.

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Public Opinion & Electoral Analytics Portals

• Gallup Presidential Approval Ratings: Historical Archive — Gallup News: Donald Trump Presidential Approval Ratings Archive
• Congressional Race Ratings: The Cook Political Report: 2026 Competitive House Race Ratings
• Election Database: Ballotpedia: 2026 U.S. House of Representatives General Elections Overview

Electoral Analytics & Polling Methodology Notice: The Reuters/Ipsos survey of 1,166 U.S. adults was conducted August 14–17, 2026 and reported a margin of error of approximately ±3 percentage points. Congressional race ratings are analytical classifications, not election forecasts.