Following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, there’s been a notable shift in Republican sentiment about the direction of the country. An investigation released by the Associated Press (AP) in collaboration with the NORC Centre for Public Service Research indicates that over 51% of GOP voters now feel the nation is on the wrong track, a significant increase from just 29% reported in June.
This negative outlook isn’t isolated to Republicans; about 75% of American adults share concerns, up from 62% in the same timeframe. Interestingly, Democratic opinions have remained relatively stable, with many attributing the country’s challenges to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election last November.
Kirk’s tragic death occurred last Wednesday, during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect, and the state is moving forward with seeking the death penalty against him.
Age and gender seem to influence Republican opinions significantly. Younger GOP voters, specifically those under 45, report a more optimistic view, with 61% believing the country is on track, compared to only 43% of older voters. Furthermore, Republican women express a more favorable outlook, with 60% feeling positive, whereas just 43% of Republican men share that sentiment.
When evaluating former President Trump’s performance, 46% of respondents cited his handling of border security positively, while 55% approved of his approach to crime. However, support for his handling of trade, the economy, and other pressing issues like the Israeli-Hamas conflict and healthcare was notably lower.
Polls suggest Trump’s overall approval rating stands at around 39%, with about 60% disapproving of his performance. A recent YouGov/Economist poll echoed these numbers, reflecting a slight decline in his approval from previous surveys, where around 57% of Americans expressed discontent.
The AP-NORC survey, which included responses from 1,183 adults, was conducted from September 11 to 15 and carries a margin of error of 3.9 percentage points.
