Former President Donald Trump has been indicted four times since announcing his bid for the presidency in 2024. One would imagine that with each indictment, voters would begin distrusting the former president. Yet, the opposite is true.
Despite Trump being entangled in a series of investigations, the former president currently leads by a wide margin in many polls. Voters have turned to Trump because of his indictments, as seen in new polling.
A recently released CBS News poll that surveyed 2,061 Americans, revealed that 70% of respondents felt that things in America are going “somewhat badly,” or “very badly.”
The poll showed that 64% of respondents called the U.S.’s political system “dysfunctional,” while 58% said it was “corrupt” and just 14% said it’s “effective.” Only 7% of individuals called it “honest.”
The survey also found Trump increasing his already-commanding lead over Florida. Gov Ron DeSantis (R). Despite his four indictments, the former president received 62% support in the CBS poll, compared to DeSantis’ 16%.
All other GOP candidates in the crowded field for 2024 remained in single digits. As reported by the Blaze, in June, the poll had Trump at 61% and DeSantis was polling at 23%.
CBS News Poll: Trump Posts Biggest Lead Yet Over DeSantis
Trump — 62% (+46)
DeSantis — 16%
Ramaswamy — 7%
Pence — 5%
Scott — 3%
Haley — 2%
Christie — 2%
Hutchinson — 1%
Burgum — 1%CBS Poll (B+) | 08/16-18 | 538 LVhttps://t.co/w5s69ejQbq pic.twitter.com/EX7JrQNbBi
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) August 20, 2023
Of potential voters, 38% called the indictments of Trump “politically motivated,” while 37% said the former president tried to “overturn” the 2020 presidential election.
According to the poll, Trump’s supporters are extremely loyal to him, trusting him more than family, friends, and religious leaders.
Over 70% of Trump supporters in the poll said that what the former president says is “generally true,” marking a higher percentage of trust for the ex-president compared to family and friends.
Potential voters of Trump cited reasons for supporting him as: “I think things were better under Trump, he fights for people like me,” and “I know him better than other candidates.”
On Truth Social, Trump cited the CBS News poll as the reason for his absence from the first GOP primary debate scheduled for Aug. 23, 2023.
“The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had, with Energy Independence, Strong Borders & Military, Biggest EVER Tax & Regulation Cuts, No Inflation, Strongest Economy in History, & much more,” Trump wrote. “I WILL THEREFORE NOT BE DOING THE DEBATES!”
