Sourced fact
The News
A poll conducted by the Associated Press and the University of Chicago's NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that approximately 70% of American adults believe that a war between the United States and Iran was not worth fighting, an increase of five percentage points since July. The poll also indicates that 71% of adults disapprove of President Donald Trump's handling of Iran, while 69% believe the war was not worth fighting. Additionally, the poll reveals that Americans are dissatisfied with Trump's performance on the economy and high prices, with only 17% approving of his approach to living costs and just 26% approving of his economic performance overall.
Concern about fuel costs has significantly increased, with half of the poll participants now extremely worried about their ability to fill up their gas tanks, compared to 39% in July. Also, about half of the participants are extremely concerned about their ability to afford food. Despite these concerns, one-third of Republicans believe that the price increase is directly linked to Trump's policies, while two-thirds of Republicans attribute the price increase to factors beyond Trump's control.
The poll also shows that more than half of adults believe that the economy and the country as a whole have worsened since Trump's return to office in 2025. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump stated that "polls are fake" and that "bad polls are lies," adding that he would win against any opponent today "by a margin of 20 points."
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, the poll reflects growing public dissatisfaction with President Trump's policies, particularly regarding the war with Iran and the economy. The poll indicates that a majority of Americans believe that the economic situation and the country have worsened since Trump's return to the presidency in 2025.
In a broader context, the poll also reflects increasing political tensions in the United States and their impact on upcoming congressional elections. President Trump is attempting to attract Republican voters through his campaign, but faces significant challenges due to public dissatisfaction, rising fuel and food prices.
It is noteworthy that the poll highlights growing public concern over living costs and the economy, suggesting that these issues will be central in the upcoming elections.
