Trump Faces Confidence Crisis, Polls Indicate US Public Wants to Stop Wars and Minimize Losses

After President Trump declared war on Iran, multiple polls indicate that the American public's trust in the war's prospects and government decisions continues to decline. The latest CNN poll shows that only 20% of Americans "have a great deal of trust" in Trump's decisions regarding Iran, while 59% "have not much trust" or "no trust at all".

During the just-passed Memorial Day weekend, there were significant indications of progress towards a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran. However, after the details were exposed, many hardline Republicans expressed their unwillingness to accept it, warning that this agreement might leave Iran stronger than before the war.

Polls also show that 61% believe the war has increased the risk of terrorist attacks against the United States, 56% think the war has weakened America's alliance relationships, and 49% expect the stability of the Middle East to worsen. These figures collectively point to the same conclusion: Americans prefer to end military actions as soon as possible rather than continue to escalate the involvement.

Overview of Key Poll Data

1. Trust in Trump's Decisions (CNN)

• A great deal of trust: 20%

• Not much trust or no trust at all: 59%

2. Attitudes Towards Warfare (Fox News)

• Support for U.S. military to operate indefinitely to achieve goals: 39%

• Prefer a clear deadline for withdrawal: 61%

3. Should Military Actions be Ended? (The New York Times/Siena College)

• Should end military actions even if a nuclear agreement cannot be reached: 52%

• Support for resuming military actions if negotiations break down: 37%

4. Expectations for War Outcomes (The New York Times/Siena College)

• Believe that the Iranian nuclear program will be completely destroyed: 22%

• Believe in partial success: 18%

• Expect complete failure: 50%

5. Confidence in the Ceasefire Agreement (The Washington Post/ABC)

• Not very confident or not confident at all that the agreement will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons: 65%

6. Confidence in Government's Achievement of Goals (Pew Research Center)

• Only "somewhat confident" or lacking confidence: nearly two-thirds (about 66%)

7. Assessment of the Cost of War (The New York Times/Siena College)

• Believe the war is not worth the cost: 55%

• Believe it is worth the cost: 21%