In the wake of recent tragedies, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals deep unease across the United States over the tone of political debate. Two out of three Americans believe that harsh rhetoric not only divides opinions but also fans the flames of violence.
Conducted online over three days with 1,037 adults, the survey shows:
- 63%: Say the way Americans talk about politics contributes "a lot" to violence.
- 31%: Say it gives "a little" boost to violence.
- 79%: Think people have become less tolerant of different viewpoints in the last 20 years.
- 71%: Agree that "American society is broken."
- 66%: Worry about the prospect of violence against people in their community for their political beliefs.
The poll closed just days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot on a Utah campus, and follows a series of politically motivated attacks including the June slayings of a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker and her husband. Experts warn that violence is rising: in the first half of the year, the U.S. saw about 150 politically motivated attacks—nearly double the number recorded during the same period last year, according to University of Maryland researcher Mike Jensen, who has tracked such incidents since 1970.
Even high-profile figures are not immune. President Donald Trump, who was himself the target of two assassination attempts last year, lashed out at opponents for their fiery language, saying we have "radical left lunatics out there" who must be confronted.
For young global citizens watching from abroad, these trends echo broader challenges seen in democracies worldwide: when political talk turns toxic, it can quickly spill over from online feeds into real-world harm. As concerns grow over the health and safety of public discourse, many are asking how nations can bridge divides and restore trust in democratic dialogue.
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Poll: 2 in 3 Americans say harsh political rhetoric fueling violence
cgtn.com
