LAS VEGAS, April 16, 2026 (V7N) – US President Donald Trump described the war with Iran as a “little diversion” during his second term, even as recent polls highlight growing public opposition to the conflict.  

Speaking at an event in Las Vegas promoting his “no tax on tips” measure from last year’s tax reform bill, Trump boasted of his economic record. “We had the best economy in the history of our country in my first term. And we’re blowing it out now... And despite our little diversion to the lovely country of Iran, lovely place,” he told supporters, adding that military action was necessary to prevent “really bad things” linked to Iran’s nuclear potential.  

An Ipsos poll conducted last weekend found 51 percent of respondents believed the Iran war was not worth its costs, while only 24 percent said the opposite. A Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday reported 65 percent of voters blame Trump for rising gas prices since the Strait of Hormuz closed at the start of the war. Just 36 percent approved of his handling of Iran, compared to 58 percent who disapproved.  

The polling underscores the political risks Trump faces as he continues to defend the conflict, which has disrupted global energy markets and strained US alliances.  

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