Donald Trump has been pleased with his indictment, at least as far as Republican voter support is concerned. In just two weeks, the former president has managed to climb 14 points in voting intentions, reaching 58%. The second favorite, Ron DeSantis, trails by 37 points (21%).
REUTERS/IPSOS POLL: Donald Trump holds 37-POINT lead over Ron DeSantis
March 20:
Trump — 44% (+14)
DeSantis — 30%April 3:
Trump — 48% (+29)
DeSantis — 19%APRIL 6:
Trump — 58% (+37)
DeSantis — 21%April 5-6 | 368 RV https://t.co/7N29dJczQj. pic.twitter.com/XYm5mkhiHu
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) April 7, 2023
Trump sweeps conservative hopefuls
This is according to a recently published Reuters-Ipsos poll. According to the results, Trump went from 44% support on March 20 to 58% on April 6. As for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis - who has not announced his official candidacy for the moment - remains in second place, but sees the gap widening to 37 points. Unlike Trump, his popularity has fallen from 30% to 21% in this time period.
According to Reuters-Ipsos, the third favorite for Republicans would be former Vice President Mike Pence - who has also not officially pronounced his candidacy - with a poor 4%. Liz Cheney would have 3% of the voters, while the other official candidates, Nikki Haley, Asa Hutchinson and Vivek Ramaswamy only reach 1% each.
2024 National Republican Primary
Trump — 58% (+18 from Mar 20)
DeSantis — 21% (-9)
Pence — 4%
Cheney — 3%
Haley — 1%
Hutchinson — 1%
Pompeo — 1%
Ramaswamy — 1%
Youngkin — 1%
Christie — 0%
Sununu — 0%Ipsos/Reuters | 04/05-06 | 368 RV https://t.co/LkxPtNKEYE pic.twitter.com/1QIppufoGJ
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) April 7, 2023
Politically motivated research
The survey also shows that 49% of Americans believe that prosecutors are doing the right job in bringing the first criminal case against a U.S. president or former president. Nonetheless, the data reveal the radical divide that Trump as a figure generates among voters of the different parties. Some 84% of those who consider themselves Democrats said the charges were justified, while just 16% of Republicans agreed.
Some 40% of conservatives said the case has made them consider voting for Trump in 2024. For 38%, this case has not meant any variation in the direction of their vote, while 12% said it made them less likely to support him. In addition, an overwhelming majority (76% ) of Republicans believe that there are members of law enforcement working to delegitimize Trump through politically motivated investigations, compared to 34% of Democrats.
Most believe Trump paid off Daniels
What supporters of both parties mostly agree on is that Trump allegedly arranged payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal in exchange for their silence about alleged extramarital affairs. This was the opinion of 73% of Americans, including 55% of GOP voters.
