Poll: Half of Americans See Trump as Fascist Amid Growing Concerns from Kamala Harris and Trump’s Ex-Administration Members
A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll reveals a stark division in public perception, with nearly half of registered voters (49%) labeling former President Donald Trump as a “fascist” – defined as a political extremist who disregards individual rights and may use force against opponents. In contrast, only 22% of respondents apply the same label to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Intensifying Accusations on the Campaign Trail
Vice President Harris recently referred to Trump as a fascist, following up on remarks suggesting his campaign leans toward fascism. Echoing her concerns, some of Trump’s former administration members, including his previous chief of staff and a former defense secretary, have voiced similar critiques. Meanwhile, Trump counters these accusations, labeling Harris a fascist, Marxist, and communist. Poll data indicates that 44% view only Trump as a fascist, 18% assign this label solely to Harris, and 5% view both as fascists.
Partisan Lines Shape Perspectives
The survey highlights a sharp partisan divide. Among Democrats, 87% view Trump as a fascist, while 46% of independents and just 12% of Republicans share that view. Conversely, 41% of Republicans label Harris a fascist, compared to 20% of independents and 3% of Democrats.
Concerns Over Truthfulness and Pandering
Regarding truthfulness, 65% of registered voters say Trump frequently makes untrue statements, compared to 49% who say the same about Harris. Even among Trump’s supporters, 30% recognize a pattern of untruthfulness, while only 10% of Harris supporters view her similarly. Harris, however, faces greater criticism for pandering, with 57% of voters believing her proposals are primarily aimed at securing votes rather than being genuine policy intentions.
Potential Crisis Looms in Election Outcomes
The poll shows significant concern about the potential consequences of either candidate’s victory. Among non-Trump supporters, 68% see his re-election as a crisis for the country, while 64% of non-Harris supporters view her victory similarly. The sense of crisis is especially pronounced among those who associate the candidates with fascism and untruthfulness.
Methodology
The ABC News/Ipsos poll, conducted Oct. 18-22, 2024, surveyed 2,808 adults, including 2,392 registered voters, with a margin of error of ±2 percentage points. Conducted in both English and Spanish, the survey reflects the views of a nationally representative sample.
This poll highlights the intense polarization surrounding the upcoming election, with deeply divided perspectives shaping the national conversation.