By Miranda Nazzaro - 07/14/24

A majority of Americans believe the current political climate makes violence more likely, according to a new poll conducted shortly after the attempted assassination of former President Trump at a rally Saturday.

According to a snap poll from YouGov, released Sunday morning, 67 percent of U.S. adults said today’s political environment makes politically motivated violence more likely, while just eight percent said it makes it less likely.

Ten percent said the current political climate makes politically motivated violence the same as usual and 14 percent said they were not sure, YouGov reported.

The poll was conducted on Saturday, shortly after a shooting occurred at Trump’s rally in Butler, Penn., wounding the former president and killing one attendee. The former president said a bullet pierced his ear.

The U.S. Secret Service said the shooter, who the FBI later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., was killed shortly after shots rang out.

The shooting, which is being investigated as an attempted assassination, sent shockwaves throughout the country and world, with domestic and global leaders condemning the political violence.

Exactly half—50 percent—of U.S. adults said political violence is a “very big problem,” while 32 percent said it is “somewhat” of an issue. About eight percent said it is not very much of a problem, while about 2 percent said it is not a problem, pollsters found. Eight percent said they were not sure.

Americans were more split in their trust in the Secret Service’s ability to protect presidential candidates from harm, per YouGov. About 20 percent said they were “very confident,” while 45 percent said they were “somewhat confident” and 17 percent said they were “not very confident.” Seven percent said they are not at all confident.

The YouGov poll was conducted July 14 among 4,339 U.S. adults. The margin of error was not immediately released.

Trump on Sunday called on Americans to unite, adding that “God alone prevented the unthinkable from happening.”

“In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “I truly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”