A significant new poll has revealed that nearly twice as many Americans believe President Donald Trump is racist compared to those who say he is not, highlighting deep public divisions over the character of the 79-year-old Republican leader. The survey, conducted by The Economist and YouGov from February 13 to 16, asked 1,682 U.S. citizens whether they would use the word "racist" to describe the president.
Sharp Partisan Split in Perceptions
The results show a stark contrast in opinion, with 47 percent of respondents stating they would describe Trump as racist, while only 24 percent said they would not. A further 29 percent expressed no opinion on the matter. The findings underscore the polarised nature of American politics, as views were sharply divided along partisan lines.
Among Democrats, an overwhelming 90 percent said the term applied to Trump, compared to just 5 percent of Republicans. Independents were more evenly split, with 48 percent viewing the president as racist. The poll, which primarily surveyed registered voters, carries a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.
Trump's Defences Against Allegations
President Trump has repeatedly rejected accusations of bigotry, recently pointing to his relationships with prominent Black figures as evidence of his character. On Tuesday, he used the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a longtime civil rights leader, to rebuff such claims on his Truth Social platform.
"Despite the fact that I am falsely and consistently called a Racist by the Scoundrels and Lunatics on the Radical Left, Democrats ALL, it was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way," Trump wrote.
The following day, during a Black History Month event at the White House, the billionaire president again defended himself by citing his friendship with former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. Addressing a crowd of supporters, Trump recounted Tyson's loyalty, stating, "Mike has been loyal to me. Whenever they come out, they say, 'Trump's a racist' — You know, it's like a statement: 'Trump's a racist' — Mike Tyson goes, 'He's not a racist. He's my friend.'"
Controversial Video Sparks Bipartisan Condemnation
Trump's most recent remarks came about two weeks after a video portraying former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes was posted to his Truth Social account. The clip sparked widespread bipartisan condemnation, with many labelling it as racist.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, called it "the most racist" thing he had seen from the White House, while Senator Rodger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi, described it as "totally unacceptable" and urged Trump to apologise.
Initially, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed criticism of the video, calling out "fake outrage." However, hours later, the clip was removed, with a White House official blaming a staffer for posting it "erroneously."
The poll findings and recent controversies reflect ongoing debates about race and leadership in the United States, as Trump continues to navigate allegations that have persisted throughout his political career. The data suggests that public perception remains deeply entrenched, with little sign of reconciliation between opposing viewpoints.
