The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, released on October 19, shows US President Donald Trump’s approval rating at its lowest level. The situation has taken on added significance for Republicans amid mounting economic pressures, the consequences of the war with Iran and the approaching November 3 midterm elections.
According to the poll, Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 31%, while 66% of respondents disapprove of his performance. A comparison of these two indicators with the beginning of the period shown in the chart reveals a significant shift: approval, which stood at around 47% initially, has gradually declined to 31%, while disapproval has risen from around 41% to 66%. This trend highlights the widening divide between supporters and opponents of the president’s performance.
The trajectory of these changes from spring 2025 through October 2026 is also significant. The disapproval line has generally trended upward over most of this period, surpassing 50%. In 2026, it remained mostly above 60%, reaching 66% at the latest data point. By contrast, despite some short-term fluctuations, Trump’s approval rating has followed a downward trajectory, falling to the 30%–32% range in the final months.
Economic pressures have been identified as a major factor behind the dissatisfaction. According to the information provided, 68% of respondents disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy. Rising gasoline prices following the war with Iran, along with disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, have added to concerns about the cost of living. As one of the world’s key energy transit routes, the Strait of Hormuz can affect energy supplies, prices and transportation costs if oil tanker traffic is disrupted, passing the economic burden on to American consumers.
Meanwhile, the electoral contest is also showing signs of a shift in the balance of power. According to the information accompanying the report, Democrats lead Republicans among registered voters by 47% to 35%, a 12-percentage-point margin that is reportedly seven points wider than it was two weeks earlier. This could be a source of concern for Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will shape the balance of power in Congress and affect the Trump administration’s ability to advance its agenda.
Taken together, these indicators suggest that the war, economic costs and rising fuel prices could become decisive factors in public assessments of the US administration’s performance. However, the poll alone does not establish that the decline in Trump’s approval rating is attributable solely to the war or the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, the coincidence of these developments with growing economic dissatisfaction is intensifying political pressure on the White House.
