{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6583019ebbd71a00175001c8/6a9ad6fd2a7730b8964e190d?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Trump facing midterms nightmare as approval ratings plunge over Iran war","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6583019ebbd71a00175001c8/1788532392556-4aa9e2ca-b25b-44f3-a239-e75de8276d2d.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>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.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>On today’s episode of <em>Iran: the Latest</em>, 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.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>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?</p><p>Highlights</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Donald Trump’s approval rating plummets to a record low</li><li>Could Pete Hegseth be on the chopping block if the midterms go badly?</li></ul><p><br></p><p>CONTRIBUTORS:</p><p>Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiarainey</p><p>Ben Smith, Washington correspondent @bsmithjourno</p><p>Poppy Wood, US correspondent @poppyeh</p><p><br></p><p>WATCH US ON YOUTUBE: <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk</a></p><p><br></p><p>CONTENT REFERENCED:</p><p>Out with the old: Democrats replace stalwarts with young blood</p><p><a href=\"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/08/15/elderly-democrats-forced-retire/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/08/15/elderly-democrats-forced-retire/</a></p><p><br></p><p>US army secretary to step down after tension with Hegseth</p><p>https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2026/08/21/us-army-secretary-step-down-hegseth/</p><p><br></p><p><em>Winner Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026</em></p><p><em>Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026</em></p><p><em>Nominated Best News, Politics and Current Affairs - British Podcast Awards 2026</em></p><p><em>The Telegraph, Winner Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026</em></p><p><br></p><p>Audio Producer: Max Bower&nbsp;</p><p>Video Producer: Peter Shevlin</p><p>Researcher and Social Producer: Anna Hindmarsh and Lucy Hadlow&nbsp;</p><p>Studio Operator: Andy Watson</p><p>Executive Producer: Venetia Rainey&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor</p><p>► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk</p><p>► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Telegraph"}