Americans hand Trump brutal marks on Iran war as MAGA base cracks over cost of living fears… and voters reveal staggering $5-a-gallon gas admission
A new Daily Mail/JL Partners poll finds growing voter frustration with Donald Trump over the ongoing conflict with Iran and the rising cost of living, with cracks even appearing among his own MAGA supporters. The findings come just two months before the US midterm elections, posing a potential problem for Republicans as inflation, tariffs and the seven-month-old war combine to sour public opinion, despite Trump's continued insistence that Iran's economy is "totally collapsing" and that he has "almost total control" of the Strait of Hormuz.
The poll found 49% of voters believe Trump was wrong to launch military action against Iran, while only 25% think the US is "winning" the war, though 52% of Republicans disagreed and said the US was winning. Some 42% of voters hold Trump most responsible for the conflict, compared with 17% blaming Iran's government. Strikingly, 46% said they would rather pay $5-a-gallon petrol than send more US troops to Iran, against 22% who preferred more troops, with Republicans themselves nearly evenly split. More than four in ten Trump 2024 voters said he is not doing enough on inflation, as petrol prices have topped $4 a gallon for the first time and consumer prices continue to climb.
In short
- Poll shows voters unhappy with Trump over Iran war and living costs
- Only 25% believe the US is winning the war
- 46% would rather pay $5 petrol than send more troops to Iran
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the military action may argue that confronting Iran is necessary to protect US security and deter future threats, and that success should be judged over time rather than by early public opinion. They may also see higher petrol prices as a difficult but preferable cost to risking greater danger later or sending more troops into a prolonged conflict.
The case against
Critics may argue that launching the war has brought high costs without clear evidence of progress: few voters believe the US is winning, while petrol prices and living costs are rising. They may contend that these burdens fall on households now, and that avoiding further escalation or troop deployments should take priority unless the administration can show a compelling and achievable security benefit.
Explained simply
The conflict began after the United States took military action against Iran, whose government is led by its supreme leader and president. Donald Trump, the US president, says the campaign is weakening Iran, but many voters are unsure the United States is winning or question whether it should have begun.
The dispute is also unfolding as prices rise, including the cost of petrol, adding pressure on household budgets. Voters are weighing the costs of the conflict against the possibility of sending more US troops, and some Trump supporters are dissatisfied with his response to inflation.
The views matter for Republicans because US midterm elections are approaching. Voters choose members of Congress in these elections, and their concerns about the war and living costs could affect the party’s chances.
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