Despite the indictment against Donald Trump in connection with classified documents found in his Florida residence, the former president continues to lead in the GOP primary polls.
A CBS/YouGov poll conducted from June 7-10 in the midst of the news of his indictment indicated that it did not have a negative effect on Republican voter opinion. Trump still maintains a 38-point lead over Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and more than 57 points over the other candidates:
- Donald Trump: 61% (+3 compared to May).
- Ron DeSantis: 23% (+1 compared to May).
- Tim Scott: (4%); Mike Pence: (4%).
- Nikki Haley: (3%)
- Vivek Ramaswamy (1%); Asa Hutchinson (1%); Doug Burgum (1%); Larry Elder (1%); Chris Christie (1%).
After the DOJ made the news public, CBS/YouGov recontacted respondents and asked "additional follow-up questions" about the matter. Among the results: 61% of voters reaffirmed their support for the former president and said they would not change their opinion because of this fact, 14% said it improved their view of Trump, and only 7% said it hurt their opinion or perspective of the former president.
CBS News Poll: Trump Posts Biggest Lead Yet Over DeSantis
Trump — 61% (+38)
DeSantis — 23%
T. Scott — 4%
Pence — 4%
Haley — 3%
Ramaswamy — 1%
Hutchinson — 1%
Burgum — 1%
Elder — 1%
Christie — 1%CBS Poll (B+) | 06/07-10 | n=586https://t.co/V076JVS4Iw pic.twitter.com/pQjIqvYCV4
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) June 11, 2023
Trump with overwhelming majorities
Eighty percent of GOP voters indicated that, even if convicted, Trump should be still able to be president, compared to 20% who think otherwise.
On the other hand, 76% said they were "concerned" that the indictment was politically motivated, while 12% expressed concern that the documents in Trump's possession were a national security risk.
A large majority (74%) of voters stated that, if not Trump, they want a candidate "similar" to the former president to represent the GOP in the 2024 election, while 26% want their candidate to be someone different.
CBS POLL: (Republicans)
— 61% say that Trump's indictment won’t change their views about Trump
— 76% say that Donald Trump's indictment is politically motivated
— 80% say that Trump should be able to be president even if convicted over classified docshttps://t.co/6fAu9DVzds pic.twitter.com/HddH7hKMgo
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) June 11, 2023
In terms of vote consideration, the former president also leads the polls. Seventy-five percent of voters consider giving him their vote, compared to 51% who would consider voting for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. According to the CBS News survey analysis:
Trump is at least being considered by three-quarters of the primary electorate; that's always a critical measure at this early stage of a race, where voters know they have time to weigh the merits of multiple candidates, so far from the actual vote. Respondents here were free to consider as many or as few as they liked, and most Republican voters are still considering more than one candidate.
