In a recent CBS/YouGov poll, it was rather alarming to discover that just 51% of Americans are of the opinion that former President Trump endeavored to prolong his time in office through “illegal and unconstitutional” methods. Meanwhile, 29% believe that he attempted to remain in office by legitimate means, and 20% hold the view that he made no effort to stay in office at all.
Poll Conducted After Trump Indicted on Four Federal Charges
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The survey was carried out subsequent to Trump’s indictment on four Federal charges associated with his alleged endeavors to overturn the 2020 Presidential election.
The CBS News/YouGov poll involved 2,145 US adults who were interviewed from August 2 to 4, with a margin of error of approximately 2.9 percentage points.
How Are Voters Viewing the Criminal Charges Against Trump?
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The survey provides an initial glimpse into how prospective voters are processing the criminal charges brought against Trump. It underscores the significant partisan divisions within the United States. Trump was indicted on August 1 on charges of defrauding the United States, obstructing official proceedings, and attempting to impede the right to vote and counting votes. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
Half of Republicans Called January 6 Events Patriotism
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The poll reveals a stark divide among Republicans in their perceptions of the January 6, 2021 events. About 50% of Republicans viewed those events as an act of “patriotism,” and a significant 70% of Republicans expressed doubts about the legitimacy of President Biden’s victory in the 2020 election.
Democrats See Indictments as “Defending Democracy”
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These divisions extend to how the indictments related to these events are interpreted. Democrats essentially see the indictments and investigations as efforts to uphold the law, with a notable 82% describing them as “defending democracy.”
Republicans See It as a Political Move
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On the other hand, 86% of Republicans view these actions as an attempt to hinder Trump’s potential 2024 campaign. Moreover, over half of Republicans perceive the indictments as a personal attack, aligning with some of Trump’s campaign rhetoric. Specifically, 56% of Republicans feel that these legal actions target people similar to themselves, a sentiment reminiscent of Trump’s past statements.
An Attack on People Like Them
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When examining MAGA (Make America Great Again) and non-MAGA Republicans separately, 77% of MAGA Republicans consider the investigations and indictments to be an attack on them, in contrast to 42% of non-MAGA Republicans who share this view. A sentiment echoed at Trump’s rallies, and this sentiment is reflected in the poll.
Was Joe Biden the Legitimate Winner of the 2020 Election?
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In the poll, approximately one-third of Republicans indicated that they believed President Joe Biden to be the legitimate winner of the 2020 election. In contrast, an overwhelming 97% of Democrats and 63% of Independents acknowledged his victory.
Most Republicans Don’t Think Biden Was Legitimately Elected
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It’s worth noting that, since taking office, a significant majority of Republicans have consistently maintained their skepticism about Biden’s legitimacy as the elected president.
Trump Voters Would Believe Trump Over Their Own Friends and Family
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Even more concerning, a CBS poll conducted just two weeks later revealed a startling statistic: 71% of Trump supporters expressed a preference for believing Trump over their own friends and family, a sentiment that would undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows.
Majority of Republicans Thought Things “Were Better Under Trump”
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Moreover, in the same poll, an astonishing 99% of Republican respondents believed things were “better under Trump,” while 95% felt that Trump fought for people like them.
Trump Leads the GOP Among Republican Voters
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Trump enjoys a significant lead in the GOP field, particularly among Republican voters who prioritize a candidate’s “honesty and trustworthiness.”
Republican Primary Voters Believe the Political System Is Corrupt
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The underlying context to consider is that Republican primary voters exhibit a higher belief in the political system’s corruption than the general population. This perception could contribute to the view that Trump, whether seen as challenging or being prosecuted by the system, is the one presenting a more significant truth from their standpoint.
Republican Voters Think Trump Has the Best Shot to Beat Biden
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A majority, precisely 61% of Republican voters, believe that Trump has the most promising chance of defeating President Biden. Many of these voters believe that Trump already achieved this feat in 2020, and this aspect carries significant weight for them, often outweighing policy disagreements.
DeSantis Steps up His Attack
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As Governor DeSantis enters his fourth month in his Presidential campaign, he has actively stepped up and begun confronting Trump on the campaign trail in a bid to close in on the static polling gap.
DeSantis’s War of Words
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Challenging the favorite from the debate stage represented a significant platform for these confrontations, but it also marked another step in an ongoing verbal exchange with Trump.
Can DeSantis Fill Arenas Like Trump?
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During a campaign event in Tampa, when a supporter in the audience inquired whether he could draw crowds like Trump, DeSantis pointed out that many “Americans were voting against Trump in 2020.”
Kennedy Wouldn’t Energize Democrats as Much as Trump
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“You could have John Kennedy walk through the door right now, and he wouldn’t energize Democrats as much as Donald Trump does,” DeSantis stated.
Trump’s Campaign Funds “Going to a Lot of Lawyers,” Says Desantis
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Just moments afterward, at the campaign event in Tampa, Governor DeSantis dismissed Trump’s fundraising figures during a press conference, raising the question, “Well, why is he raising that money, and where is that money going to? Isn’t it going to a lot of lawyers?”
Terrifying Prospects: 12 Moves Trump Could Unleash If Re-elected in 2024
