MAGA vs. Socialists’ Chances With Voters as Republicans Distance From Trump - Newsweek
Registered voters would prefer to vote for a socialist Democrat compared to a MAGA Republican, a new poll from YouGov/The Economist shows on Tuesday, as Republicans seem to be distancing themselves from President Donald Trump in the final stretch before midterms.
According to the new poll, 51 percent of registered voters would pick the socialist Democrat who supports Medicare for All, ending military aid to Israel and abolishing ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), compared to 34 percent who would select the MAGA Republican candidate who embraces mass deportations and always votes with Trump. The poll shows that 15 percent are not sure.
The survey comes as Florida Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds removed several references to Trump from his campaign website as polls reveal a closer race versus Democratic nominee David Jolly. Donalds' campaign told Newsweek in part that the "angle of reporting is FAKE NEWS" and he is "proud to have President Trump’s endorsement."
The website change was first reported by the Miami Herald.
Republican nominee for Senate in Iowa, Ashley Hinson, also recently broke with the president on the ongoing war in Iran, calling for an immediate and successful end to the conflict.
Midterm elections are commonly viewed as a test of the political environment facing the party in power, and the president's party has historically lost seats during them. Republicans hold a narrow majority in both the House and Senate.
Democrats hope to capitalize on Trump's unfavorable polling as his overall approval rating hits record lows as well as on key administrative policies like immigration, the economy and foreign policy amid the ongoing war with Iran. Affordability concerns, like higher prices at the pump linked to the war, are also top of mind for American households six weeks out from Election Day.
When reached for comment about the new polling, White House Spokeswoman Allison Schuster told Newsweek via email on Tuesday, "The Democrats’ full-blown embrace of socialism and communism is a mortal threat to American liberty. President Trump will never allow America to become a socialist or communist country.”
According to the poll, 48 percent would pick the socialist Democrat over 40 percent who would select a conservative Republican who supports tax cuts, repealing Obamacare and a ban on most abortions, as 11 percent did not know. Fifty-five percent would pick a liberal Democrat who wants to protect Obamacare (ACA), increase support for childcare and housing and opposes tariffs, compared to 34 percent who would pick a MAGA Republican. The poll shows 11 percent were also not sure.
Faced with the choice between a liberal Democrat and conservative Republican, 51 percent picked the Democrat to 39 percent who would vote for the Republican and 10 percent were not sure.
The poll was conducted from September 18 to September 21 among 1,401 U.S. registered voters and has a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
The poll also handed another layer of potentially worrisome news to Republicans as 46 percent would pick the Democratic candidate for Senate in the upcoming midterms compared to 38 percent who would choose a Republican. For Congress, 45 percent would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district over the 36 percent who would pick the Republican.
As the midterm election draws near, the Democratic Party has seen an internal battle during primary season at the ballot box between Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed candidates and incumbent or establishment Democrats.
The democratic socialist wing of the party has continued its momentum this election cycle, with multiple candidates advancing through key primaries. Incumbents such as New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib have clinched their nominations, and the movement could increase its representation in Congress depending on the outcome of November's vote.
Angie Nixon, the democratic socialist candidate for Senate in Florida, also won her primary last month and is set to face off against Republican candidate Ashley Moody in November. Nixon beat retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman in the primary. A Democrat has not been elected to a statewide office in the Sunshine State since 2018.
Amid the unfavorable polling, Trump has vowed to hit the campaign trail in the days leading up to November's general election to rally for 35 critical seats.
He had notably made some consequential endorsements in the primary election season, backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn for Senate in the Lone Star State, and against Congressman Thomas Massie in Kentucky. Both of his candidates won. The president has also been handed numerous election-related losses this cycle.
Several key U.S. Senate races, like in Texas, Maine, New Hampshire and Ohio, are being closely watched as they are all rated toss-ups by the Cook Political Report. Billionaire Elon Musk’s America PAC has also spent millions of dollars in several races as Republicans hope to maintain control in November.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins.
