What Americans heard about Trump heading into the campaign’s final week: fascism and french fries
In the final weeks of the 2024 campaign, the conversation surrounding former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris has taken a fascinating turn, according to a recent CNN poll. The poll, conducted by SSRS and Verasight on behalf of a research team from CNN, Georgetown University, and the University of Michigan, sheds light on what average Americans are hearing, reading, and seeing about the presidential nominees.
One of the most discussed topics surrounding Trump in recent days has been fascism and french fries. Stories about Trump holding an event to serve fries at McDonald’s and allegedly praising Hitler’s generals have dominated the news cycle. Additionally, comments made by Trump about a Hall of Fame golfer have garnered attention. The divisive nature of these stories is evident, with Republicans more likely to mention events such as the McDonald’s fry-serving event and Trump’s interview with Joe Rogan.
Conversely, conversations about Vice President Kamala Harris have remained largely focused on more conventional campaign-related topics. Words like “campaign,” “rally,” “interview,” and “polls” are among the top 10 terms used to describe what people are hearing about Harris. There has also been an increase in mentions of her tax proposals and her stance on abortion, particularly following remarks about reproductive rights made during a rally in Houston where she appeared with Beyoncé.
Despite the different topics dominating the news cycle for each candidate, the sentiment surrounding both Trump and Harris remains more negative than positive. This sentiment is not reflective of personal feelings towards the candidates but rather the tone and terms used to describe them in the media.
Overall, the poll found that 74% of Americans have heard something recently about Harris, while 71% have heard about Trump. These numbers are slightly lower than in previous election cycles but still highlight the public’s engagement with the campaign.
As the 2024 campaign heads into its final stretch, the conversation around the candidates continues to evolve. With just weeks to go until Election Day, it will be interesting to see how these narratives shape the perceptions of the candidates in the eyes of the American public.
