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Trump Inches Higher In GOP Primary, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Nearly Half Of Americans Would Support A Ban On Tiktok

In an early look at the 2024 Republican presidential primary, 46 percent of Republican and Republican leaning voters support former President Donald Trump, who has declared his candidacy, and 32 percent support Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seen as a potential candidate, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea- ack) University national poll released today. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley receives 5 percent. Of the remaining 12 listed declared or potential candidates, no one tops 3 percent of the vote. Trump has widened his lead over DeSantis. In Quinnipiac University's February poll, Trump led DeSantis 42 - 36 percent.

In a head-to-head Republican primary matchup between the two leading Republican candidates, Trump receives 51 percent support and DeSantis receives 40 percent support.

"DeSantis might be the buzz in the GOP conversation, but for now Trump is seeing no erosion and, in fact, enjoys a bump in his lead in the Republican primary," said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

In a hypothetical general election matchup for president, President Joe Biden has a slight lead over Trump 49 - 45 percent among all registered voters.

When Biden is matched up against DeSantis, it is a virtual dead heat. In that matchup, Biden receives 47 percent and DeSantis receives 46 percent among all registered voters.

FAVORABILITY RATINGS

Registered voters were asked whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of:

  • Joe Biden: 40 percent favorable, 54 percent unfavorable, 4 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Donald Trump: 36 percent favorable, 58 percent unfavorable, 2 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Ron DeSantis: 36 percent favorable, 40 percent unfavorable, 23 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Mike Pence: 27 percent favorable, 52 percent unfavorable, 18 percent haven't heard enough about him;
  • Nikki Haley: 21 percent favorable, 29 percent unfavorable, 49 percent haven't heard enough about her;
  • Mike Pompeo: 15 percent favorable, 32 percent unfavorable, 52 percent haven't heard enough about him.

BIDEN

President Biden receives a negative 39 - 55 percent job approval rating among registered voters.

Among all Americans, President Biden receives a negative 38 - 55 percent job approval rating.

Americans were asked about Biden's handling of...

  • the response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine: 45 percent approve, while 47 percent disapprove;
  • foreign policy: 39 percent approve, while 53 percent disapprove;
  • the economy: 36 percent approve, while 59 percent disapprove;
  • immigration issues: 27 percent approve, while 62 percent disapprove;
  • the situation at the Mexican border: 23 percent approve, while 64 percent disapprove.

MISINFORMATION

Three-quarters of Americans (75 percent) think the spreading of misinformation in the United States today is a very serious problem, which includes vast majorities across all political, gender, race, education, and age groups. Seventeen percent think misinformation is a somewhat serious problem, while 4 percent think it is a not so serious problem and 2 percent think it is not a problem at all.

When Americans were asked if they would continue to watch or read the news source they rely on for information if they thought the news source was intentionally not reporting the truth, 87 percent say they would not continue to watch or read that news source, while 11 percent say they would continue to watch or read that news source.

FOX NEWS

Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) think Fox News should be held accountable after Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch acknowledged in a deposition that a number of the network's hosts spread false information about the 2020 presidential election being stolen from Donald Trump, while 26 percent think Fox News should not be held accountable. Murdoch's deposition is part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News, accusing the network of spreading false information about its voting machines.

Democrats (93 - 5 percent) and independents (67 - 25 percent) think Fox News should be held accountable. Among Republicans, 47 percent think Fox News should not be held accountable, while 41 percent think Fox News should be held accountable.

"Still highly rated, but leaking loyalty? Fox should pay for some of its hosts endorsing false claims about the 2020 election, say a large majority of Americans, and its most loyal viewers aren't exactly thrilled with the network's conduct," added Malloy.

FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY & TIKTOK

Nearly half of Americans (49 percent) support a national ban of foreign technology such as the video- sharing service TikTok, while 42 percent oppose a national ban.

Republicans (64 - 28 percent) and independents (50 - 43 percent) support a ban, while Democrats (51 - 39 percent) oppose a ban.

Among all listed groups, Americans 18 - 34 years old register the highest opposition to a ban 63 - 33 percent.

"Is the clock ticking on social media's problem child? The right says pull the plug. The left says let it continue. A plurality of Americans would like to click delete and send TikTok to the dustbin of social media history," added Malloy.

COVID-19 ORIGINS

When thinking about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly two-thirds of Americans (64 percent) think it is more likely that it was caused by a laboratory leak, while 22 percent think it is more likely that it was caused by a natural transmission from animals to humans.

FOREIGN THREATS

When given a list of six countries to choose from and asked which country poses the biggest threat to the United States, Americans say China (61 percent) followed by Russia (22 percent), North Korea (8 percent), and Iran (2 percent).

MIGRANT FAMILIES

A plurality of Americans (48 percent) oppose detaining migrant families who illegally cross the border from Mexico into the U.S. seeking sanctuary, while 42 percent support it.

Democrats (63 - 29 percent) and independents (51 - 40 percent) oppose detaining migrant families who illegally cross the border from Mexico into the U.S. seeking sanctuary, while Republicans (60 - 33 percent) support it.

1,795 U.S. adults nationwide were surveyed from March 9th - 13th with a margin of error of +/- 2.3 percentage points.

The survey included 1,635 self-identified registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. The survey included 677 Republican and Republican leaning voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll

Email poll@qu.edu, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.

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