Concerns About Assassination Risk for President Trump
A recent Economist/YouGov poll indicates that a significant number of Americans perceive President Donald Trump as more susceptible to assassination than any other recent presidents.
In this survey, participants were asked their views on Trump’s risk level compared to past presidents. The results revealed that 64% of respondents believe Trump faces a higher assassination risk, while only 31% think he is at a similar risk level. A mere 6% believe he is at a low risk overall.
Among respondents, 81% of Republicans and 63% of independents share the belief that Trump is at considerable risk. Interestingly, 46% of Democrats also think he faces a greater danger, although 42% say the risks are about the same.
When looking specifically at those who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris, 46% believe Trump’s risk level is similar to his predecessors, while 45% feel he is at greater risk.
Moreover, half of those surveyed think that the rhetoric from Trump’s opponents has contributed, at least in part, to the recent attempt on his life. Out of these, 31% attribute a “huge” responsibility to that rhetoric. A majority of Democrats, however, seem to reject this notion; 55% do not believe they hold any blame for the statements made by their side.
The poll was conducted from May 1-4, 2026, with a sample of 1,573 U.S. adults, and a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage points. This survey follows a thwarted assassination attempt on Trump during the White House Correspondents Association dinner.
The suspect, Cole Allen, a California teacher, was apprehended for attempting to murder the president. Prior to the incident, Allen took a disturbing selfie and drafted a manifesto outlining his intentions, including plans to send an email just before the Secret Service intervened.
The manifesto indicated Allen’s animosity toward Trump and detailed his intent to target members of the Trump administration, though he specified that crowd members were not his main targets. Yet, he maintained he would do whatever was necessary, characterizing Trump in derogatory terms and viewing attendees as “accomplices.”
Following the assassination attempt, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt addressed the media, emphasizing that Trump has been subjected to years of slanderous remarks, which may influence such threats.
She urged reporters to reflect on the manifestos of individuals like Allen, asking how distinct their rhetoric was from what is commonly encountered on social media and in public discourse. “If we’re honest with ourselves,” she said, “the answer is there’s no difference at all.”
