Donald Trump is facing one of the most serious declines in public support of his political career as dissatisfaction grows over the direction of his presidency.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published in early October found that only 32 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president, matching the lowest level recorded in his political career. Support among Hispanic Americans has fallen even further, with only 24 percent approving of his performance. The decline is especially significant because Trump won nearly half of the Hispanic vote in the 2024 election.

The economy has become one of the biggest sources of frustration. An AP-NORC poll found that only 26 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s management of the economy, while just 17 percent approve of his handling of the cost of living. Around 65 percent said Trump’s policies bear responsibility for persistently high prices. Respondents pointed to aggressive tariffs and the continuing war with Iran as important factors behind their economic concerns.

Rising fuel prices have added further pressure. The prolonged conflict with Iran has disrupted energy markets, while the administration has pushed other G7 countries to release strategic oil and diesel reserves in an effort to contain prices before the November midterm elections.

Trump’s use of public money has also triggered criticism from across the political spectrum. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 86 percent of Americans opposed the use of taxpayer money for television advertisements featuring Trump. The ads, which celebrate what the administration calls a “golden age of America”, have been criticised as resembling political campaign material. Even 80 percent of Republicans surveyed opposed using public funds for them.

The controversy has become more serious because the advertisements were reportedly connected to a $20 million transfer from the Department of Homeland Security. Critics, including lawmakers and ethics specialists, have questioned whether government resources are being used to promote Trump politically ahead of the midterm elections. The White House has defended the advertisements as patriotic and educational.

Immigration policy remains another major source of confrontation. Trump has expanded detention and deportation measures through ICE, while legal challenges have reached the Supreme Court. Critics argue that the administration’s approach has weakened protections for migrants and dramatically expanded federal detention powers.

Trump has also faced growing dissatisfaction over the war with Iran. The AP-NORC poll found that only 28 percent of Americans approved of his handling of Iran. The conflict has contributed to higher energy prices and has become an increasingly visible domestic political problem.

The decline in support is beginning to affect Trump’s own Republican Party. Some Republican candidates are trying to distance themselves from the president on issues including tariffs, immigration enforcement and military action. Republicans are entering the November 2026 midterm elections with growing concerns that dissatisfaction with Trump could damage candidates even in traditionally safe races.

Trump has rejected the picture presented by the polls and has publicly insisted that he is performing well. His supporters continue to point to border enforcement, industrial investment and his confrontational foreign policy as evidence that he is delivering on campaign promises.

But the current polling shows a broader problem for the administration: dissatisfaction is no longer limited to Trump’s traditional political opponents. Economic frustration, war fatigue, controversial public spending and anger over immigration policies are increasingly affecting independents and some voters who supported him in 2024.

With approval at 32 percent and trust in his handling of the economy, living costs and Iran all deeply weakened, Trump enters the final weeks before the midterm elections facing growing public resistance to the way he is governing the United States.