On June 22, 2025, President Donald Trump faced a wave of domestic and international backlash, as new polling revealed his approval ratings had plunged across multiple key issues, and experts questioned his claims of a decisive military victory over Iran.
Approval Ratings Underwater on Seven Key Issues
A Quinnipiac University poll released June 22 showed Trump with net negative approval ratings on seven major policy areas, including:
- Deportations: -20 net approval
- Trade and Economy: -17
- Immigration: -16
- Foreign Policy: -14
- Military Affairs: -4
- Israel-Iran Conflict: -14
The poll also found that 64% of voters preferred offering undocumented immigrants a path to legal status, while only 31% supported mass deportations—a direct rebuke of Trump’s recent immigration crackdown.
Doubts Over Iran Strike “Obliteration” Claims
Trump’s assertion that U.S. airstrikes had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites came under scrutiny. While Trump insisted the facilities were destroyed, military officials and intelligence analysts offered more cautious assessments:
- Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, said the sites sustained “extremely severe damage”, but final assessments were ongoing.
- Israeli officials described the Fordow site as “severely damaged”, not destroyed.
- Trump doubled down on Truth Social, writing, “Obliteration is an accurate term!” despite the Pentagon’s more measured language.
Iran Issues Fatwa Against Trump
In a dramatic escalation, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa against Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling them “enemies of God” and calling on Muslims worldwide to “make these enemies regret their words and mistakes.” The decree followed the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
June 22, 2025, underscored the growing disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and public perception, as his administration navigates the fallout from a volatile Middle East conflict and intensifying domestic criticism. With approval ratings slipping and international tensions rising, the president faces a pivotal moment in his second term.