President Donald Trump is facing a fresh decline in public support, with his approval rating hitting a new record low since his return to the White House in 2025. According to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released on August 17, only 33% of Americans approve of his job performance, a 2-percentage-point decrease from earlier this month. This figure matches the lowest approval rating recorded during his initial term in office, which occurred in December 2017.
The survey was conducted between August 14 and August 17, polling 1,166 U.S. adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Beyond this specific poll, other major trackers also reflect a negative trend for the president. As of August 17, RealClearPolitics reported a 39.2% approval rating against 58.4% disapproval, while the New York Times recorded 37% approval and 60% disapproval. The Silver Bulletin similarly placed his approval at 38.3% with 58% disapproval.
Public dissatisfaction appears linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has significantly impacted the economy. The war has disrupted approximately one-fifth of the global oil trade, leading to a sharp rise in domestic fuel costs. Data from AAA shows the average price of a gallon of gasoline reached $4.06 on August 17, marking a nearly one-dollar increase compared to the $3.13 recorded on the same date in 2025.
Concerns regarding the longevity of the conflict are widespread across the political spectrum. The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 80% of Americans—including 87% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans—believe U.S. involvement in the region will persist for an extended period of time.
The administration’s diplomatic stance has further complicated the situation. President Trump has threatened to bomb Oman, a U.S. ally, if its negotiations with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz interfere with American efforts to secure a peace deal with Tehran.
This report was compiled with contributions from Kinsey Crowley. Fernando Cervantes Jr., a trending news reporter for, provided the coverage. 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 17): 38.3% approve, 58.0% disapprove. The report also notes that major polling averages continue to show Trump in negative territory overall, while individual polls vary.
