A new University of Massachusetts Amherst poll, conducted August 21-26, paints a stark picture of American public opinion: deep disillusionment with President Donald Trump, his Iran war, and the economic toll it has taken. The survey suggests that even the most lavishly funded propaganda efforts—including the recent acquisition and overhaul of CBS News by the Ellison family—have failed to sway the public.
Propaganda fails to move public opinion
The Ellison family's purchase of CBS News, intended to bolster support for Trump and his military campaign, appears to have been a costly misstep. Similarly, Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp, with its array of pro-Trump outlets from Fox Cable News to The Wall Street Journal, has not managed to obscure the public's perception of the war's failures.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has boasted of spending a thousand hours on US television to convince Americans of the need for war with Iran. While he may have found a willing partner in Trump, the American public remains unconvinced. The poll indicates that Netanyahu's efforts have largely backfired, with many Americans now viewing the Israeli government as a combination of "genocidal maniacs and welfare queens," and supporting economic and even military disengagement.
Overwhelming disapproval of the war
The poll asked respondents how well Trump has handled the Iran war. A striking 55% answered "not well at all," with an additional 13% saying "not too well." Combined, 68%—over two-thirds—express disapproval, a figure that would be sufficient to convict a president in a Senate impeachment trial if public opinion were directly mirrored by representatives.
When asked about the war itself, 54% said they strongly or somewhat disapproved, and another 20% were noncommittal. This suggests that nearly three-quarters of Americans either oppose the war or are indifferent to it—hardly a ringing endorsement for a commander-in-chief.
Majorities also believe the war was a mistake and question whether it has made the US safer or prevented an Iranian nuclear bomb. Only about a quarter of respondents think the US should have gone to war and believe it is winning.
Raymond La Raja, professor of political science at UMass Amherst and co-director of the poll, noted, "Americans are overwhelmingly negative about Trump on the Iran situation." He added, "Only one in four Americans thinks he is handling Iran well. The real divide is increasingly between Trump's hardcore MAGA base and almost everyone else. Among Republicans who identify very strongly with MAGA, 87% approve of Trump's handling of Iran. But that falls to 58% among Republicans who are 'somewhat MAGA' and just 30% among Republicans who say they are 'not MAGA at all.'"
Economic fallout deepens discontent
The war's economic consequences have further eroded support. A full 80% of respondents said the conflict has increased the cost of gasoline and groceries. On inflation, 57% said Trump has handled it "not well at all," and another 18% said "not too well," totaling 75% disapproval. Only 7% think Trump is handling the economy very well, likely a narrow slice of wealthy investors benefiting from a stock market buoyed by tech gains.
The poll also reveals skepticism about Trump's ability to work with allies. Asked how he has handled global alliances, 52% said "not well at all" and 12% said "not too well," meaning nearly two-thirds view his foreign policy negatively.
These findings underscore a broader trend: despite the best efforts of media moguls and foreign leaders, the American public is not buying the case for war. The implications extend beyond the US, as the Indo-Pacific watches to see whether a weakened and distracted Washington can maintain its commitments in the region. For now, the poll suggests that the American people are more focused on domestic economic pain than on foreign adventures.
