...
By Marni Rose McFall
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Support for President Donald Trump and the war in Iran has evaporated among traditional Republicans, according to a new poll from YouGov and The Economist.
The poll, which found that twice as many Americans now oppose as support the war, showed that support for the war among traditional, non-MAGA Republicans has swung down by 48 points to -23 points. Support among MAGA Republicans had dropped by 1 point, from 72 to 71.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Newsweek in response to the poll, “What matters most to the American people is having a Commander-in-Chief who takes decisive action to eliminate threats and keep them safe, which is exactly what President Trump is doing with the ongoing successful Operation Epic Fury.”
Read More on Politics
Why It Matters
In late February, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated attacks on Iranian military and strategic targets in an operation dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
...
Trump continues to escalate pressure on U.S. allies and Iran, having recently claimed that Tehran’s new leadership had privately requested a ceasefire. He has warned that American trikes would continue until the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened.
Civilian death tolls in the conflict continue to rise, with at least 1,598 in Iran, 1,2600 in Lebanon and at least 50 across Gulf nations. Israel has reported at least 17 killed, and the U.S. death toll stands at 13 service members.
Beyond the human toll, the Iran war has already had significant economic consequences across the globe, with the conflict heightening fears of a recession. With concerns high and the president's approval rating low, there could be key implications for the Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
What To Know
The YouGov/Economist poll found that overall, only 30 percent of Americans support—either strongly or somewhat—Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict. Sixty percent disapprove with a net approval of -30, down 11 points from the previous week.
The poll also found that Trump’s net job approval had dropped to a record low, as support among his core base continues to erode. Thirty-five percent of Americans strongly or somewhat approve of how Trump is handling his job as president, while 58 percent disapprove.
Together, this comes out to a net job approval of -23, the lowest approval in an Economist/YouGov poll during either of his terms in office.
Support is also eroding among people who voted for Trump in 2024. YouGov’s poll found that 76 percent of people who voted for the president in 2024 approved of his handling of the job as of March 28. On January 3, the earliest poll taken this year, the figure was at 83 percent.
The poll was conducted among 1,679 U.S. adult citizens, with a margin of error of approximately 3 percent.
What People Are Saying
A White House spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement: “President Trump campaigned proudly on his promise to deny the Iranian regime the ability to develop a nuclear weapon, which is what this noble operation is seeking to accomplish. The President does not make these incredibly important national security decisions based on fluid opinion polls, but on the best interest of the American people.”
What Happens Next
The president will address the nation on Thursday evening regarding the ongoing war in Iran. It is unclear when the war will end, though Trump recently said it would be over soon.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines