80% of Americans are afraid the country is getting out of control, survey reveals
A recent two-day poll conducted by Ipsos for Reuters revealed that approximately four out of every five Americans believe that the country is spiraling into chaos. This poll was conducted following an assassination attempt on former President Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania and after Trump announced Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, as his vice presidential running mate at the beginning of the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
Specifically, around 80% of respondents agreed with the sentiment that “the country is spiraling out of control.” The survey, which included 1,202 general population adults aged 18 or older in the United States, also found that 86% of Americans are concerned about acts of violence leading to chaos, with 56% expressing a high level of concern. Additionally, 57% are very concerned, and 87% are totally concerned that Americans will resort to violence instead of peacefully resolving disagreements.
The poll, which was conducted online, sampled 1,202 adults, including registered voters from various political affiliations – 402 Democrats, 361 Republicans, and 331 Independents. The results showed that 84% of voters are worried about extremists committing acts of violence post-election, which is a notable increase from the 74% recorded in a previous Reuters/Ipsos poll from May.
In terms of fears regarding violence related to political beliefs, about 67% of Americans expressed concern about potential acts of violence against their communities due to political ideologies. This figure represents a rise from the 60% reported in a Reuters/Ipsos poll from June 2023.
Interestingly, one-third of the survey respondents indicated that they believe former President Trump was protected by divine intervention after surviving the assassination attempt. In terms of political preferences, the poll showed that 43% of registered voters favored Trump, the Republican candidate, while 41% favored President Biden, the Democratic incumbent. These results fell within the three percentage point margin of error. Additionally, the poll found that 69% of Americans perceive Biden as too old for government work, compared to 49% who feel the same way about Trump.
It is evident from these poll results that a significant portion of the American population is deeply concerned about the state of the nation and the potential for violence to disrupt social harmony. The findings highlight a sense of unease and apprehension that cuts across political lines and underscores the need for unity and peaceful conflict resolution. As the country grapples with these challenges, it becomes increasingly important for leaders and citizens alike to prioritize dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect in order to navigate these turbulent times.
