Trump Approval Dips to 39% as Majority Reject Iran War and ICE Detention Centers

A fresh national poll from UMass Lowell and YouGov exposes deepening discontent with President Donald Trump’s administration. Only 39% of Americans approve of his job performance, down from 42% six months ago, while a striking 67% believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction.

Economic frustrations are mounting as well, with 49% of respondents expressing significant dissatisfaction with Trump’s economic policies. Over half (57%) say their personal lives have grown more difficult in recent months, underscoring the real-world impact of the administration’s failures.

Foreign policy is a glaring weak spot. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed say the U.S. is spending too much on the ongoing Iran war, a conflict that has failed to rally public support or boost Trump’s standing. John Cluverius, director of the Center for Public Opinion at UMass Lowell, calls the war “an unmitigated public-opinion disaster” for the president, noting that Trump has skipped the usual surge in popularity that military action can bring and plunged straight to decline.

The poll also reveals skepticism about U.S. alliances in the Middle East. Forty-two percent view the close relationship with Israel as more harmful than helpful to American interests, while opinions on Saudi Arabia are split evenly.

Immigration remains a divisive issue, but opposition to harsh enforcement measures is clear. Sixty-two percent oppose building ICE detention centers in their communities, with nearly half strongly against it. Fifty-six percent also reject the deployment of ICE agents to commercial airports. Rodrigo Castro Cornejo, associate director of the Center for Public Opinion, emphasizes that even amid partisan divides, Americans draw the line at aggressive immigration enforcement.

The Epstein scandal continues to haunt the administration. An overwhelming 87% support further criminal investigations into American individuals named in Epstein files. Most respondents (65%) believe Trump has a personal interest in keeping the files under wraps, with 41% directly blaming him for the failure to pursue more prosecutions. Suspicion runs deep, as 70% consider it at least somewhat likely Epstein had ties to intelligence agencies.

This poll paints a clear picture: Trump’s grip on public support is weakening amid economic hardship, foreign policy blunders, and persistent controversies over immigration and corruption. The American people are demanding accountability—and they are not buying the administration’s excuses.