WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll indicates that the approval of U.S. adults toward President Donald Trump's handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict has increased following his negotiation of a ceasefire in Gaza. However, on domestic issues, Trump's approval ratings remain low, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among voters.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, conducted from October 9 to 13, shows a rise in support for Trump's foreign policy initiatives, albeit his overall job approval sits at about 40%, unchanged since September. Voters expressed that while they appreciate the peace negotiations, domestic concerns such as the economy and healthcare are still paramount.
“It's commendable that he’s bringing peace, but he needs to focus on domestic issues instead,” remarked Justin Sanders, a Republican voter from Birmingham, Alabama.
Recent polling revealed that 47% of U.S. adults now approve of Trump's handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict, up from 37% in the previous month. Many voters, including some independents and Democrats, credited him for the release of hostages as a part of the ceasefire agreement. Though these foreign policy successes are noted, they do not overshadow the ongoing economic challenges millions of Americans face, such as high inflation and healthcare cost increases.
The poll indicates that despite Trump's efforts, he faces significant domestic hurdles, particularly with the ongoing government shutdown affecting many services. Approximately 70% of adults believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, highlighting the urgency for the President to address these pressing challenges.
With the upcoming elections approaching, these results may pose challenges for Republican candidates, who have been cautious about aligning too closely with the current President's administration. As Trump navigates these complex dynamics, the question remains whether his recent international achievements can bolster his domestic approval ratings.
The survey sampled 1,289 adults and has a margin of error of ±3.8 percentage points.
