The poll from Marquette Law School found that even among Republicans, support for the president’s handling of the economy and the Iran war is waning.
(CN) – As President Donald Trump extends a ceasefire in the war with Iran and uncertainty continues over peace talks, a poll finds that a majority of national respondents favor a ceasefire and question the administration’s handling of the war.
A Marquette Law School poll released Wednesday found strong bipartisan support for the ceasefire that took effect weeks ago. The poll was conducted over eight days of online interviews by a team from the Marquette Law School Survey, which interviewed more than 900 adults of various faiths and political identities nationwide from April 8-16.
With some partisan variation, the researchers found that there is a popular belief that the country’s war goals remain unfulfilled. Bipartisanship begins to break down on the rationale for the war — though most respondents believe there wasn’t a good enough reason for it, even 64% of those in the president’s party. Majorities of Democrats and independents, 94% and 78% respectively, say the United States has failed to achieve its goals in Iran.
Before the April 7 ceasefire, the Trump administration threatened to strike bridges and power plants in Iran — a move apparently opposed by most Americans. Only 38% of respondents identified these countries as legitimate military targets, while 62% considered them civilian, which are unsuitable for attack.
Public approval of President Trump’s handling of the conflict and inflation is falling, even among Republicans. Approval ratings for Trump’s handling of the war are just 32%. Sixty-five percent of Republicans approve, though that’s a marked drop from his usual level of party support.
The survey also found that most respondents do not see the United States as a force for stability in the world. Instead, 60% see the United States as the cause of instability.
Rising gas and food prices have also become significant concerns across the country, especially since the start of the war.
Rising gas prices are at the top of voters’ minds, with 93% saying prices have risen since January — a shift from polls earlier this year, when half of respondents said they believed gas prices had fallen.
Rising energy costs mirror a similarly sharp rise in food prices, with 82% of respondents now reporting higher grocery bills.
A general opinion of the economy has deteriorated significantly. Nearly half of respondents describe the economy as “not so good,” while 30% rate it as poor — both responses have increased since January.
Expectations for next year have also darkened, with nearly a third of respondents now expecting worsening inflation.
Beyond concerns about the economy and war, the survey found growing opposition to data centers and a more negative perception of AI, Meta and Israel, with concerns and disapproval cutting across party lines.
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