Opinion Today
June 24, 2026
Few in US say Iran war was worth it; Trump approval ties lowest of term, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds Jason Lange, Reuters Just one in four Americans believes President Donald Trump's war with Iran was worth its costs and a majority worry that a truce with Tehran is unlikely to last, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The five-day poll, which closed on Monday, also showed the war weighing heavily on Trump's popularity, with his approval rating dropping to 34%, a return to the lowest level of the Republican's second term that was last touched in an April survey.
Few expect U.S.-Iran preliminary agreement to bring lasting peace Alec Tyson, Ryan Tully and Bernard Mendez, Ipsos A new Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted June 18-22 finds that 63% of Americans think it is unlikely that the preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran will lead to lasting peace between the two countries. Just 18% say the agreement will likely lead to lasting peace.
Only one-quarter of Americans say the U.S. won the war in Iran Taylor Orth, YouGov This week's Economist/YouGov Poll finds that Americans are eager to end the war with Iran and they generally favor several of the provisions included in a proposed peace agreement. At the same time, views on the overall deal are divided and many are doubtful that it will result in lasting peace.
Trump Gets Negative Reviews Internationally as Fewer Say U.S. Is a Reliable Partner Richard Wike, Laura Silver, Moira Fagan and Jonathan Schulman, Pew Research Center 36-country survey finds declining ratings for the U.S. amid rising concerns about its foreign policy and the health of its democracy
What happens when war breaks out in the middle of a survey? David Tully, Jonathan Schulman and Laura Silver, Pew Research Center This year, instead of our surveys giving us one snapshot in time, we have a flip book. Fox News Poll: Voters embrace health agenda while rating RFK Jr negatively Victoria Balara, Fox News Voters under age 30 favor prioritizing public health more than lowering food costs
250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence draws limited attention from Americans Charles Franklin, Marquette Law School Poll • A quarter or less are paying a lot of attention to the landmark anniversary • Two-thirds are proud of the country and more say the country has succeeded at least a fair amount in achieving the ideals of the founding; three-quarters say the U.S. is better than most countries • Optimism for the future as a democracy is evenly divided • Trump’s job approval remains at 38%
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How Americans are feeling about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to new polls Linley Sanders, The Associated Press About 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel “proud” about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to a new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly 3 in 10 say “excited” describes their emotions. America 250 Survey Echelon Insights • 62% of American voters say they plan to celebrate America's 250th • 76% say they are very or somewhat patriotic, while only 6% say they are not at all patriotic. • Voters say America's history (55%) and system of government (42%) make the country unique compared to others. • 3 in 5 voters say that America is the greatest country in the world.
Few Democrats or Republicans want their party to move to the center David Montgomery, YouGov Americans in the latest Economist / YouGov Poll are more likely to say the Democratic Party should move to the right and that the Republican Party should move to the left than to want moves in the opposite directions — but members of those parties give different answers.
Nearly Half Of Democrats Say They Have ‘Favorable’ View Of Socialism: I&I/TIPP Poll Terry Jones, tippinsights In the latest online national poll, taken from May 26 through May 28, 1,589 voting-age respondents were asked the following question: “In general, do you have a favorable or unfavorable view of socialism?”
Use of AI to Get News in U.S. Is Rare Justin McCarthy, Gallup Seven percent of Americans say they rely “a great deal” (2%) or “a fair amount” (5%) on artificial intelligence tools when getting news and information. Another 12% say they rely on AI “some” for news, and 23% say “only a little.” The majority of U.S. adults (57%) don’t rely on AI tools at all for this purpose.... A separate question places AI at the bottom of the list of people’s primary sources of information about community, national and international events.
Americans Say Courage Is Declining Nationwide Ellyn Maese, Gallup About two-thirds of U.S. adults, 67%, say courage in American society is weaker today than it was 20 years ago. At the same time, strong majorities say it is “very important” for the country’s future that both everyday Americans and elected leaders demonstrate courage in their actions.
Many Gen Zers Missing Sense of Meaning or Purpose in Life Katherine Senseman, Gallup Most Gen Zers say it is “very true” or “pretty true” that their life has meaning (66%) or that they have a sense of purpose (62%), according to a new survey from the Walton Family Foundation, Making Caring Common and Gallup Voices of Gen Z study.
Four Years Post Roe Americans Still Support Abortion Rights Julie Alderman Boudreau & Talya Hamberg, Navigator Research This Navigator Research Report covers perceptions of abortion rights four years after the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion.
Voters Support a Data Center Moratorium Data for Progress A new poll from Data for Progress finds that a majority of voters (63%), including 67% of Democrats, 66% of Independents, and 58% of Republicans, support pausing the construction of AI data centers for at least one year.
Ipsos Pride Report 2026 Jamie Stinson, Ipsos Our 2026 edition of the Ipsos LGBT+ Pride report shows attitudes stabilising across 26 countries on several key measures, including trans athletes and LGBT media representation. Poll: UK voters wanted Starmer gone, but not an immediate Burnham coronation Erin Doherty, Politico Results from The POLITICO Poll suggest that while U.K. voters were eager for new leadership, they were less interested in a shortcut for selecting the country’s new leader. North Carolina: Cooper Leads Whatley by 14 Points as Trump Remains Underwater Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service, Catawba College Democrats hold advantage on congressional and legislative ballot tests while Republican voters appear less Trump-centered than they were six months ago; North Carolinians remain opposed to the conflict with Iran. Texas: Poll Finds a Competitive U.S. Senate race in Texas amid continuing economic concerns, data center backlash James Henson and Joshua Blank, University of Texas/Texas Politics Project The latest University of Texas/Texas Politics Project Poll finds a neck and neck contest in the U.S. Senate race between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Representative James Talarico, with Paxton the choice of 43% of Texas voters and Talarico preferred by a statistically indistinguishable 42%. Republicans hold larger single-digit leads in the other major races for statewide offices: Gov. Greg Abbott led Democratic State Representative Gina Hinojosa by a 7-point margin, 47% to 40%.
Pending Supreme Court cases Charles Franklin, PollsAndVotes Decisions coming on birthright citizenship, executive removal power, trans athletes and election law The mistake many Americans make when trying to understand Trump voters Philip Bump, CT Insider [unlocked] A new study suggests concerns about democracy may not resonate with Trump supporters the way many assume Trump’s midterm liabilities on display in visit to toss-up district Isaac Arnsdorf and Natalie Allison, The Washington Post A campaign-style appearance in Pennsylvania revealed the delicate position of Republicans facing tough reelection fights. They still need Trump’s voters, but are increasingly cautious about embracing him too closely. What the Reflecting Pool Actually Reflects Don Moynihan, Can We Still Govern? An American icon becomes a metaphor for an incompetent and corrupt presidency What the Reflecting Pool debacle says about Trump and his presidency Karen Tumulty, The Washington Post [unlocked] The president has created a visible symbol of the perils of his headlong style. How a $45 Million Donation Brought Larry Ellison Deeper Into Trump’s Circle Emily Glazer, Annie Linskey and Jessica Toonkel, The Wall Street Journal [unlocked] The billionaire’s private friendship with the president has helped Oracle’s business and his son’s media conglomerate Democrats Still Need an Immigration Plan. This Could Help Ronald Brownstein, Bloomberg Opinion For much of the past year, condemning President Donald Trump’s militarized mass deportation campaign has been a unifying priority for Democrats and their allies at immigration advocacy groups. Now, with both parties starting to look beyond Trump, Democrats and the groups are starting to formulate their own competing vision for immigration policy. Democrats Are Missing a Huge Opportunity to Win Working-Class Voters Monica Potts, The New Republic A new poll shows that these Americans are worried that AI will eliminate their jobs—and they want the government to do something about it. What’s the Matter With Congress? Thomas B. Edsall, The New York Times [unlocked] A debate between old friends about whether it is fear or polarization that is making Congress weak. Mamdani proves his power in New York House races, plus more takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries The Associated Press New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani waded into Democratic U.S. House primaries to boost three progressives over establishment-backed candidates. All of them won Tuesday, defeating two incumbents and essentially ensuring that two self-described democratic socialists will be elected to Congress in their deep blue districts. The Generational Clash Pitting Democrats Against Democrats Across the U.S. Sabrina Rodriguez and Ken Thomas, The Wall Street Journal [unlocked] Younger candidates are challenging older incumbents in primaries as party continues to fight over its identity Democrats still need the majority of toss-ups to go their way Charlie Cook Politics The party currently has 205 solid, likely, and lean seats in its column. The GOP has 212—closer to the magic number of 218. When parties take victory laps too soon Nathan L. Gonzales, Roll Call Candidates shunned by party committees can still get elected Progressives test John Hickenlooper in his final Senate race Nicholas Anastácio, National Journal [unlocked] Colorado’s septuagenarian senator faces a challenge from the Left. What is Gavin Newsom doing? Nate Silver, Silver Bulletin Losing support in polls, the governor is leaning into his role as the avatar of an unpopular Democratic establishment. Are you ready for JD vs. AOC? Chris Stirewalt, The Hill There is a lot to laugh at in Vice President Vance’s current conundrum. Him being served a pickle-flavored birthday cake on a chat show because the host said fudge cake would be “too gay” is a pretty good metaphor for the state of Vance’s quest for the presidency. As America’s Mood Sours, Its Creed Endures William A. Galston, The Wall Street Journal [unlocked] The bicentennial, too, was a time of division and uncertainty. How does today compare? Americans Are in Denial About Elder Care Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic [unlocked] Many assume that if they can afford paid help in older age, they won’t need to rely on kin. They’re wrong. Why prediction markets’ election picks are useful, even when they seem wrong Jeremy B. Merrill, Leslie Shapiro and Mariana Alfaro, The Washington Post A Post analysis found that primary candidates ended up winning about as often as bettors thought they would.
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PLAYLIST
Increased Partisan Intensity, a Close Senate Race, and Data Center Backlash in the New Texas Politics Project Poll Second Reading Podcast James Henson and Joshua Blank look at 2026 Texas trial ballots and strikingly negative views of data centers and AI in the June Texas Politics Project Poll.
A decade after Brexit, UK voters reflect on decision to break from European Union PBS News Hour Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of the most divisive day in Britain’s recent history: Brexit, the vote to leave the European Union. Voters were promised a Britain free of European laws, decreased immigration, and a major boost to business, without the EU’s economic constraints. But as Malcolm Brabant reports, leave and remain voters have one thing in common. They’re not celebrating.