The fear that the United States is spiraling out of control has become pervasive among Americans, especially following an assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Concerns are mounting that the upcoming November 5th election might trigger further political violence. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, concluded on Tuesday, reveals the depth of these anxieties.
In this two-day poll, Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, has edged out a slight lead over Democratic President Joe Biden among registered voters, with 43% supporting Trump compared to 41% for Biden. However, this lead falls within the poll’s margin of error of 3 percentage points, indicating that the attempt on Trump’s life hasn’t significantly altered voter sentiment.
Remarkably, 80% of voters, comprising similar proportions of Democrats and Republicans, agree with the statement that “the country is spiraling out of control.” This online poll surveyed 1,202 U.S. adults nationwide, including 992 registered voters, highlighting a widespread sense of instability.
The assassination attempt on Trump occurred on Saturday during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear as he spoke, causing blood to trickle down his face. Despite the close call, Trump remained defiant, pumping his fist and mouthing “Fight! Fight! Fight!” as he was quickly escorted offstage. Tragically, one rally attendee was killed, and two others were seriously injured in the incident. This event has evoked memories of the violent political climate of the 1960s, marked by the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
According to the poll, 84% of voters are now worried that extremists might perpetrate acts of violence following the election. This figure has risen from 74% in a similar poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos in May. The fear of political violence has become more pronounced in America since the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters aiming to overturn his electoral defeat to Biden. The attack resulted in four deaths on the day and the subsequent death of a Capitol Police officer.
Despite these fears, the majority of Americans do not condone violence. Only 5% of respondents believe it is acceptable for someone in their political party to use violence to achieve political goals, a decrease from 12% in a June 2023 Reuters/Ipsos poll. Additionally, 67% of respondents expressed concern about potential acts of violence against their community due to political beliefs, up from 60% in the June poll. There is a bipartisan consensus that Americans are worried about resorting to violence rather than peacefully resolving disagreements.
The assassination attempt on Trump has dominated media coverage and sparked discussions among his conservative Christian supporters, some of whom believe he was protected by divine intervention. The Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that 65% of registered Republicans view Trump’s survival as evidence of “divine providence or God’s will,” with 11% of Democrats sharing this belief.
Religious beliefs continue to play a significant role in American politics, particularly among evangelical Christians who have largely aligned with the Republican Party in recent decades. In a 2022 survey by the Gallup International Association, 77% of Americans professed belief in God, compared to 56% of Canadians and 39% of British respondents.
In conclusion, the Reuters/Ipsos poll underscores the deep-seated fears and anxieties gripping Americans as the nation approaches a critical election. The assassination attempt on Donald Trump has amplified concerns about political violence, with a significant majority fearing that the country is spiraling out of control. Despite these fears, there is a prevailing desire among Americans to find peaceful solutions to political disagreements rather than resorting to violence.
