President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 33%, according to a new survey from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, underscoring growing public unease over the administration's handling of the Iran conflict and persistent inflation pressures in the United States.
The Amherst poll, conducted between March 20 and March 25 among 1,000 respondents, places Trump's approval well below recent national surveys by Quinnipiac University and Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, both of which recorded approval ratings closer to 38%. A Fox News poll put the figure slightly higher at 41%, highlighting a narrow but consistently weak range.
Beneath the headline number, the Amherst data show entrenched opposition. While 33% approve of Trump's performance, 62% disapprove, with 53% registering "strong" disapproval-an indicator of hardened sentiment rather than temporary dissatisfaction.
Support for Trump's core political base remains concentrated. The poll found that 33% of respondents identify with the Make America Great Again movement, including 77% of Republicans compared with just 4% of Democrats. The figures suggest that while Trump retains loyalty within his base, his broader coalition remains limited.
Foreign policy appears to be a central drag on his standing. Only 29% of respondents said they support Trump's handling of military strikes against Iran, while 63% disapprove, reflecting widespread skepticism about the trajectory of the conflict.
The military campaign, launched in late February with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes, has escalated into a prolonged standoff. The U.S. has maintained a significant troop presence in the region, while Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks and warnings targeting shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.
At the same time, diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. Pakistan has indicated a willingness to mediate between Washington and Tehran, even as Trump warned that the U.S. could target Iran's energy infrastructure if a deal is not "shortly reached," illustrating the volatility of the situation.
Economic concerns are compounding political pressure. The Amherst survey found that only 24% of respondents believe Trump is handling inflation effectively, while 71% rated his performance as "not too well" or "not well at all."
Rising energy costs linked to the conflict have fed directly into consumer prices. Key indicators cited in the report include:
- Brent crude: approximately $108 per barrel
- West Texas Intermediate: about $104 per barrel
- U.S. gasoline average: $3.99 per gallon, up more than $1 month-over-month
Higher fuel costs are also affecting broader sectors, including air travel, agriculture inputs and mortgage rates, amplifying the economic strain felt by households.
Taken together, the polling data point to a convergence of foreign policy risk and domestic economic pressure shaping voter sentiment. While individual surveys vary, the trend across multiple polls suggests that Trump's approval remains below 40%, with disapproval holding a clear majority as the Iran conflict and inflation continue to dominate public concerns.
