The supporters of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump are more likely than American voters overall to say their beliefs and values are under attack, that America has lost its identity, and that the country needs a leader willing to say or do anything to solve America’s problems, according to a poll released Tuesday.
Fifty-seven percent of U.S. voters said they at least somewhat agree with the statement “America lost its identity.” Seventy-nine percent of Republicans and and 36 percent of Democrats said they agree, with 85 percent of Donald Trump supporters saying they agree in the Quinnipiac University poll.
Meanwhile, 91 percent of Trump supporters said they agree their “beliefs and values are under attack” in America these days, compared to 62 percent of all voters, 85 percent of Republicans, and 40 percent of Democrats.
“Many American voters, especially Republicans, are dissatisfied with their own status and the status of the country, but by far the most dissatisfied are Donald Trump’s supporters, who strongly feel that they themselves and the country are under attack,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz.
“Trump supporters are true stand-outs. They want a leader who is very different from the leader sought by other voters, explaining the mystery many see behind Trump’s support,” Mr. Schwartz said.
Fifty-three percent of all voters said they agree that “what we need is a leader who is willing to say or do anything to solve America’s problems.” Sixty-eight percent of Republicans, 39 percent of Democrats, and 84 percent of Trump supporters said they agree.
About three-quarters of voters — 76 percent — said they agree with the statement “public officials don’t care much what people like me think.” Sixty-eight percent of Democrats said they agree, and that number ticked up to 84 percent among Republicans and 90 percent of Trump supporters.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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