Trump approval falls to 33% as economy and Iran war weigh

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — President Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33 percent, with 62 percent disapproving, as voters express concern over the war with Iran, the cost of living, and the country’s direction ahead of the November midterms, according to an Economist/YouGov survey published Monday.

The poll of 1,589 people, taken Aug. 7–10 with a margin of error of about 3.2 points, found support concentrated within Trump’s party: 79 percent of Republicans approved, against just 4 percent of Democrats. 

It is consistent with other recent surveys — a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week put approval at 35 percent, and a late-July Quinnipiac poll at 32 percent — indicating the weakness is not a single-poll anomaly.

The findings point to specific vulnerabilities. Only about 30 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Trump’s handling of an international crisis, and affordability — especially housing costs — continues to shape negative views of the economy. 

Immigration remained his strongest issue, with about 40 percent approving of his handling of it, higher than his overall rating. 

A majority, 53 percent, considered him too old for the presidency.

The White House rejected the assessment, with spokesperson Davis Ingle arguing the administration is creating jobs, easing inflation, and improving housing affordability. 

But with declining presidential approval historically a liability for the president’s party in midterms, the numbers raise the question of whether Trump’s strong base can offset weak support among independents and Democrats as Republicans fight to hold Congress.