Washington: A combination of crippling inflation and mounting public frustration over the ongoing military conflict with Iran has driven US President Donald Trump’s approval ratings to a historic low, just two months ahead of the crucial November midterm elections.
Recent national surveys, including major polls by Reuters and Quinnipiac University, have sounded a red alarm for the Republican Party. According to the latest data, Trump’s overall approval rating has stagnated at a mere 33 per cent, marking the lowest point of his political career. Political analysts suggest that if elections were held today, the President’s party would face a severe defeat, warning that his ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) brand—once a powerful electoral asset—is increasingly becoming a liability that could cost Republicans their congressional majority.
The primary catalyst for this steep political decline is the domestic economic fallout from the Iran conflict. Following the administration’s military directives, American consumers have been severely battered by skyrocketing gasoline and grocery prices. Polling data reveals that a staggering 80 per cent of Americans view the war as a severe burden that is directly responsible for surging domestic inflation. Consequently, ordinary citizens are increasingly questioning why they must bear the heavy economic cost of a foreign war.
Public confidence in the administration’s handling of these intertwined crises has eroded significantly. A substantial 71 per cent of the electorate believes Trump has failed to manage inflation effectively. Furthermore, 54 per cent of Americans outright reject the military action in Iran, with a mere 25 per cent expressing support for how the President is conducting the war.
This widespread discontent is rapidly reshaping the mid-term electoral landscape. Independent voters are now heavily favouring the opposition, with 36 per cent inclined to support Democratic candidates compared to only 22 per cent backing the President’s party. The enthusiasm gap ahead of November is equally stark: while 46 per cent of Democrats express strong motivation to cast their ballots, Republican voter enthusiasm lags significantly at just 31 per cent.