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New Poll Asked Americans If They Think Trump Is 'Sexist,' 'Racist,' and 'Honest' and the Results Are Telling

The verdict is clear.

New Poll Asked Americans If They Think Trump Is 'Sexist,' 'Racist,' and 'Honest' and the Results Are Telling
Donald Trump, January 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

A new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll found that majorities of American voters believe President Donald Trump is sexist, racist, and dishonest. The results of the poll come ahead of the president's State of the Union address, which he'll deliver tomorrow.

51 percent of those surveyed said they believe the president is sexist. 46 percent of those surveyed––slightly less than half––said they believe the president is racist. Trump also faces a significant credibility gap, with only 35 percent saying that he's "honest" and 34 percent saying that he's "trustworthy."


The poll also examined––among other traits––Trump's recklessness, his leadership skills, and his compassion:

  • 57 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is reckless.
  • 54 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is profane.
  • 46 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is thin-skinned.
  • 43 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is knowledgeable.
  • 39 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is a strong leader.
  • 36 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is keeping his promises.
  • 36 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is stable.
  • 34 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is caring.
  • 33 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is compassionate.
  • 25 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is too conservative.
  • 11 percent of those surveyed say they believe the president is too liberal.

Screenshot via Politico.

The poll, taken at the one-year mark of Trump’s term, also reveals what voters want Trump to speak about in his upcoming State of the Union address. When asked which issues they want Trump to address in tomorrow's speech, most voters––59 percent, in fact––said it's "very important" for Trump to discuss improving the health care system. Bolstering the economy and creating more jobs came in at a close second, with 58 percent. 54 percent said they want to hear about the president's plan to fight terrorism overseas.

“Our polling reveals fixing health care reform has become even more of a priority for voters since President [Barack] Obama’s final State of The Union address,” said Morning Consult co-founder and Chief Research Officer Kyle Dropp. “Notably, 76 percent of voters said it was important for President Obama to discuss improving the health care system during his final State of the Union address in 2016, compared with 82 percent who say the same about President Trump’s address today.”

Of least importance to voters? Global poverty. Only 27 percent of those surveyed said they wanted to hear Trump address the issue, although 51 percent said they'd like to hear what he has to say about domestic poverty. Just 30 percent of respondents said they'd like to hear Trump address the issue of climate change.

Illegal immigration is another hot topic, and it's dominated much of the discussions in Washington over the last few weeks, with Democrats and Republicans split along party lines in their negotiations over former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which protects undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. 40 percent of those surveyed say it's important for the president to discuss how to reduce immigration, with 63 percent of Republicans compared to 27 percent of Democrats saying it's of particular importance.

Respondents also appear to be split on whether or not they'll watch the State of the Union address in the first place, with 52 percent saying it’s at least somewhat likely they will watch. 76 percent of Republicans surveyed said they'll watch the speech compared to 37 percent of Democrats and 45 percent of independents.

The POLITICO/Morning Consult poll surveyed 1,994 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.