Nearly seven in 10 American adults say the war in Iran has not been worth fighting, according to a new poll that shows opposition has risen since July. The survey also found widespread disapproval of Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said 69% of respondents viewed the war as not worth fighting, a five-point increase from July. Seventy-one per cent disapproved of the US president’s approach to Iran.
More than 2,000 adults took part in the nationwide poll, which also recorded growing concern over the economic consequences of the conflict.
Only 17% approved of Mr Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 26% approved of his management of the economy overall — a new low in the survey.
Concern about fuel costs has also intensified. About half of those questioned said they were deeply worried about being able to fill their vehicles, up from 39% in July, while roughly half expressed similarly high concern about affording food.
The findings were released as Mr Trump began a midterm campaign push intended to rally Republican support, with early appearances in Texas and Oklahoma. The war’s economic fallout is contributing to anxiety among voters.
Despite the wider dissatisfaction, two-thirds of Republican respondents said higher-than-usual prices were caused by factors beyond Mr Trump’s control. About one-third attributed them directly to his policies.
Trump dismisses falling poll numbers
More than half of all respondents said the national economy and the United States as a whole were worse off since Mr Trump returned to office in 2025.
Asked by TIME magazine whether opposition to the war could damage his party’s prospects in November, Mr Trump initially replied: “It’s possible.” He then said it “should help, because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
Confronted with the unfavourable figures, Mr Trump said: “The pollsters are corrupt,” and described the negative findings as “fake”. He added that he would beat anyone running against him “by 20 points”.
