President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 32%, the lowest level of his political career, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. The figure marks a 15-point decline from the 47% approval recorded shortly after his second inauguration in January 2025, with economic concerns and the war with Iran emerging as major issues in the latest survey.
Approval Erodes From Second-Inauguration High
The latest reading extends a broader decline in Trump’s approval rating over the past 18 months, despite brief periods of recovery. The Reuters/Ipsos figures show his approval moving as follows:
- January 2025: 47% shortly after his second inauguration
- March 2026: 36%
- August 2026: 33%, matching his previous first-term low
- September 14, 2026: 35%
- September 21, 2026: 32%
At 32%, Trump’s current approval rating is three points below former President Joe Biden’s lowest Reuters/Ipsos rating of 35%, recorded in October 2024.
The latest decline also extends to Trump’s Republican base. His approval among Republicans fell from 82% to 73% in a week, according to the poll.
Cost of Living Emerges as Key Pressure Point
Economic concerns are particularly pronounced in the latest survey. Only 17% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while even among Republicans, 51% disapprove of his performance on the issue compared with 44% who approve.
The war with Iran is another area where the administration faces weak public support. Just 34% of respondents approve of the US strikes on Iran, while 82% expect the conflict to continue for an extended period. The conflict has also coincided with higher fuel prices, adding to concerns about household costs.
Trump retains substantially stronger support on immigration. Seventy-nine per cent of Republicans approve of his handling of the issue, although approval falls to 36% among Americans overall. His handling of crime receives 35% approval nationally, compared with 50% who disapprove.
The political impact is also visible in the generic congressional ballot. Democratic candidates lead Republican candidates 43% to 35% among respondents, an eight-point gap that represents the largest Democratic advantage recorded by Reuters/Ipsos this year.
The poll does not establish that economic concerns or the Iran conflict alone are responsible for the shift in voting preferences. It does, however, show that Trump’s overall approval has declined alongside weak ratings on several issues that are central to his second-term agenda, while Democratic candidates currently hold an eight-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot.