Trump facing midterms nightmare as approval ratings plunge over Iran war
About this episode
The episode discusses the impact of the US-Iran war on Donald Trump's approval ratings and the upcoming midterm elections.
Donald Trump’s approval rating has plummeted to a record low as the military and economic toll of the US-Iran war collides with the upcoming 2026 midterm elections - and the pressure is on. On today’s episode of Iran: the Latest , Venetia Rainey speaks to US correspondents Ben Smith and Poppy Wood to examine how the conflict in the Middle East is threatening Trump’s control of Congress and driving inflation at American gas pumps. With oil prices surging past $90 a barrel due to sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, Republican candidates from Texas to Maine are increasingly worried. Plus, amid a growing mutiny inside the Pentagon over the Iran war, could Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth be on the chopping block if the midterms go badly for Trump? Highlights Donald Trump’s approval rating plummets to a record low Could Pete Hegseth be on the chopping block if the midterms go badly? CONTRIBUTORS: Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey Ben Smith, Washington correspondent @bsmithjourno Poppy Wood, US correspondent @poppyeh WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk CONTENT REFERENCED: Out…
People in this episode
Host: Venetia Rainey
Guests: Ben Smith, Poppy Wood
Topics covered
- US-Iran war
- Trump approval ratings
- 2026 midterm elections
- inflation
- oil prices
- Pentagon mutiny
Keywords
- Trump
- Iran war
- midterms
- approval ratings
- inflation
- oil prices
- Pentagon
- Hegseth
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Pentagon, US army, Telegraph
Places: Texas, Maine
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- US sinks Iranian ship as battle for the Strait of Hormuz heats up
- US Navy drained by Iran war as Hegseth-Pentagon turmoil grows
- Iran hostage crisis: 'My mum was in Evin prison when Israel bombed it'
- US strikes IRGC bases & what the Iran war means for China invading Taiwan
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