Donald Trump's Iran war sparks voter backlash ahead of midterms

President Donald Trump’s ongoing military conflict with Iran has drawn increasing criticism as the United States heads toward the 2026 midterm elections. The war, launched in February, has resulted in at least 18 American service members killed and more than 100 wounded, with U.S. casualties reported in Jordan, Iraq and Iran. Polling shows the conflict is now historically unpopular: a Washington Post‑Ipsos survey found 69% of Americans disapprove of the war and the President’s net approval on the issue fell from –13 in March to –40 in July. Among self‑identified MAGA voters, support for the war dropped 13 points, with 57% blaming it for high gas prices. The conflict has cost roughly $37.5 billion and pushed gas prices above $4 per gallon as the Strait of Hormuz was periodically blocked. Prominent Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Brit Hume have urged Trump to end the war, warning it could cost Republicans the midterm elections. The mounting political, economic and human costs make the Iran war a central issue shaping the upcoming U.S. elections.