Trump’s Approval Rises Slightly as Majority of Americans Support Palestinian Statehood, New Poll Shows

Despite a prolonged US government shutdown and ongoing political tensions, President Donald Trump’s approval rating has edged upward, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos national survey. The poll also reveals that a majority of Americans now support recognizing a Palestinian state, reflecting a notable shift in public opinion amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The findings illustrate a complex political moment for the president: while he receives modest credit for brokering a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, he remains out of step with most Americans on broader Middle East policy — and continues to face criticism at home over the shutdown, which has now become the second-longest in US history.

Trump’s Approval Inches Up Amid Shutdown and Global Tensions

According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between October 15 and 20, President Trump’s approval rating rose to 42%, up two points from earlier in the month. Although the increase falls within the survey’s 2% margin of error, it suggests his core support remains largely intact despite the political turmoil.

Over the past several months, Trump’s approval numbers have fluctuated between 40% and 44%, a relatively stable but persistently polarized range. Broader polling averages show a similar picture:

• The New York Times polling average places Trump at 43% approval and 53% disapproval.
• The RealClearPolitics average is slightly more favorable, with 45% approving and 52% disapproving.

These numbers highlight an enduring pattern — Trump maintains strong loyalty among his political base, even as he faces sharp disapproval from the majority of the electorate.

Poll analysts suggest that the minor uptick may be linked to the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which Trump helped broker. According to the survey, 51% of respondents said they would credit the president if the ceasefire continues to hold — a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment in an otherwise divided political landscape.

Americans Increasingly Favor a Palestinian State

Perhaps the most striking finding from the poll is the shift in US public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For the first time in recent years, a majority of Americans (59%) say the United States should recognize Palestinian statehood, while 33% oppose and 8% remain undecided.

This marks a significant divergence from official US policy, which for decades has avoided formal recognition of a Palestinian state, even as calls for a “two-state solution” have appeared in diplomatic rhetoric.

Party Breakdown of Support

The poll underscores a clear partisan divide:

• 80% of Democrats support recognizing Palestinian statehood.
• 41% of Republicans share that view.

While Democrats overwhelmingly back the idea, the growing support among Republicans suggests a broader national reconsideration of the issue, especially in light of the humanitarian toll of the conflict.

Recent months have seen a wave of international recognitions of Palestine by countries such as Britain, Canada, France, and Australia. The moves have drawn sharp condemnation from Israel but have also increased global pressure on the United States to reconsider its stance.

Public Concern Over the Gaza Conflict

The same survey found that 60% of Americans believe Israel’s military response in Gaza has been excessive, while 32% disagree. These numbers reveal growing discomfort among US voters with the scale of destruction in Gaza, where more than 67,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed, according to local health authorities.

The conflict, now entering its third year, began after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis, many of them civilians. Israel’s subsequent bombardment has left much of Gaza in ruins and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

A drone photo taken on October 21, 2025, showed entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble in Gaza City — a visual reminder of the enduring humanitarian crisis.

While Trump has consistently aligned himself with Israel’s leadership, praising its security operations and promising steadfast support, his administration has resisted calls for a shift toward recognizing Palestinian sovereignty. This puts the White House increasingly out of step with both global allies and American public opinion.

Republicans Take More Blame for the Government Shutdown

At home, the political gridlock in Washington continues to dominate headlines. The federal government has now been shut down for 22 days, making it the second-longest shutdown in US history. With no sign of an imminent compromise, frustration among voters is rising.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 50% of Americans blame Republicans in Congress for the shutdown, compared to 43% who blame Democrats. These results align with other national surveys showing that Republicans — and Trump himself — are shouldering most of the public blame for the ongoing crisis.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, alongside Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Whip Tom Emmer, has struggled to unify the Republican caucus behind a budget proposal acceptable to both chambers. Meanwhile, Democrats insist any spending bill must include healthcare and social program protections that Trump’s administration has sought to roll back.

With Trump scheduled to depart for a multi-day trip to Asia on October 24, few expect a breakthrough before his return. The shutdown’s mounting impact on federal workers, food assistance programs, and national parks continues to erode public confidence in Congress.

Political Implications: A Nation Divided at Home and Abroad

The poll’s findings underscore the duality of Trump’s political position: while his approval rating remains stable and he receives moderate credit for international diplomacy, his policies — both domestic and foreign — are increasingly disconnected from majority sentiment.

At home, Americans are weary of political brinkmanship that disrupts their lives and paychecks. Abroad, US allies are moving toward positions that diverge from Washington’s, particularly on the question of Palestinian sovereignty.

As the government shutdown drags on and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the president faces a delicate balancing act — maintaining his core base while addressing growing discontent among moderates and independents.

Still, if past political trends hold, even a small uptick in approval could prove significant heading into the next election cycle, especially if Trump can claim credit for a lasting ceasefire in one of the world’s most volatile regions.

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