- 77% of Americans aged 18–34 say the U.S. made the wrong decision on Iran military action.
- 81% rate the economy as bad or terrible, with Trump taking most of the blame.
- Democrats lead 2026 midterm preference as 2028 race shows fragmented support.
A new Generation Lab survey shows that most Americans aged 18–34 oppose U.S. military action against Iran. It also finds that many young people are unhappy with the economy and that Democrats may have an early edge going into the 2026 midterm elections.
These results come as global tensions and economic worries are shaping how younger voters think about politics. Many in this age group feel uneasy about both foreign policy decisions and the economy.
Young Americans Reject Iran Military Action
Specifically, the Generation Lab survey of 1,002 Americans aged 18–34 (April 26–29, 2026) shows strong opposition to U.S. military action against Iran.
Among respondents, 77% said the United States made the wrong decision in taking military action against Iran, while only 23% supported the move.
Sentiment toward President Donald Trump’s handling of the situation is similarly negative. A combined 75% of respondents disapprove of his approach, including 55% who strongly disapprove and 20% who disapprove.
In contrast, just 16% expressed approval, with only 5% strongly approving. Another 9% said they were unsure, reflecting a relatively small portion of undecided views.
The results show many young Americans are skeptical of military involvement abroad and unhappy with how the situation is being handled.
Economic Gloom Persists Across Demographics
Young Americans in the survey express negative views of the economy. About 52% say conditions are bad, and another 29% say they are terrible. Only a small share feels positive. Just 16% say the economy is good, and 2% say it is excellent.
Among those who think the economy is doing poorly, many place the blame on the President. About 41% say Donald Trump is responsible, making him the most commonly cited figure.
Corporate greed and large companies come next, with 31% of respondents pointing to them. This suggests many people think business practices, like pricing and wages, are a big part of the problem.
Other groups are blamed far less. Congressional Republicans are cited by 9%, while Democrats in Congress and former President Joe Biden each receive 3%.
Very few blame other institutions. The Federal Reserve and Wall Street each get 1%. Meanwhile, 11% say no one in particular is responsible, and 2% point to other reasons.
Early Signals for 2026 and 2028 Elections
The survey gives an early look at how young voters may approach upcoming elections. If the 2026 midterms were held today, 52% say they would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district, while 19% would choose the Republican.
Meanwhile, about 16% say they would choose neither option, and 14% say they would not vote at all. This suggests some frustration or a lack of interest in the available choices.
Looking ahead to 2028, no candidate has strong support yet. Vice President Kamala Harris leads with 22%, followed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 15%.
Support among Republican and independent figures is spread out. JD Vance has 8%, while Donald Trump Jr. has 3%.
Several independent figures each get small shares of support. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jon Stewart, Mark Cuban, and Tucker Carlson all receive about 4% to 5%.
Overall, no clear frontrunner has emerged. Voter preferences are still taking shape, and independent candidates could play a role in shaping the race.
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