Poll: Prolonged Iran War Could Test Trump's GOP Support

Rising gas prices and opposition to ground troops could frustrate Republican voters

Mar. 26, 2026 at 4:18pm

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A new AP-NORC poll suggests that while most Republicans back President Trump and his handling of the war in Iran, a prolonged conflict could test that support. The poll found that only 20% of Republicans support deploying U.S. ground troops, and about 6 in 10 are concerned about affording gas prices that have risen since the war began. Trump still has strong approval ratings among Republicans, but the poll indicates the war and its economic impacts could become a vulnerability for the president.

Why it matters

Trump's ability to maintain strong Republican support is crucial for his political future, especially heading into the 2024 midterm elections. A prolonged war that drives up gas prices and lacks public support could frustrate his base and hurt the GOP's electoral chances.

The details

The poll found that while 63% of Republicans back airstrikes against Iranian targets, only 20% support deploying U.S. ground troops. About 3 in 4 Republicans approve of Trump's handling of the presidency and the Iran situation, but rising gas prices could pose a problem, with about 6 in 10 Republicans saying they're at least somewhat concerned about affording gas in the coming months.

  • The AP-NORC poll was conducted March 19-23, 2026.
  • The war in Iran began nearly 4 weeks ago.

The players

Donnie Beson

A 68-year-old resident of Woodland Park, Colorado who supports Trump but feels the war in Iran has distracted the president from domestic issues.

Sharon Fuller

A 68-year-old retired hospital analyst from Ocklawaha, Florida who is a firm backer of Trump and approves of his handling of the Iran war, though she has some reservations about the conflict.

Stephen Hauss

A 40-year-old state Agriculture Department employee in Camden, Delaware who voted for Trump in 2024 but has changed his views due to the start of the Iran war.

Thomas Sweeney

A 76-year-old retired chemical engineer from Frisco, Texas who voted for Trump three times but cannot support the Iran war, which has lowered his overall view of the president.

The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research

The nonpartisan research organization that conducted the poll.

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What they’re saying

“Come on, Trump. Worry about us. We're in a billion-dollar-a-day war. It's like, 'Man, you forgot about the other stuff, and you got to take care of that first.'”

— Donnie Beson

“I don't really agree with the war, but on the other hand, I think it's a necessity at this point.”

— Sharon Fuller, Retired hospital analyst

“Before the war I was just kind of like, 'OK, like, I voted for him. I got to give him, like, some benefit of the doubt.' Now, I can't support the U.S. trying to change the leadership of another country. I don't think I am on board with this anymore.”

— Stephen Hauss, State Agriculture Department employee

“I'm not happy. I am frustrated. Soldiers are very, very precious. You just don't go in there and waste lives.”

— Thomas Sweeney, Retired chemical engineer, Army officer veteran

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This poll highlights the potential risks for Trump if the Iran war drags on and continues to impact gas prices and public support, even among his core Republican base. The president will need to carefully balance his foreign policy goals with the economic concerns of his supporters to maintain their backing.