According to the survey A weekly column that summarizes the most important polling trends or data points you need to know. In addition to updating the database on past daily KOS reports, there will also be a check of the atmosphere of trends driving politics.
Bar graphs can change your mind
Americans have broadly reflected on the money spent on defense.
This discovery comes from yougovconducted a research experiment on federal funding. Of the 1,149 Americans surveyed, half showed a breakdown of the 2025 federal budget, while the other half was not half. YouGov then asked if different departments should receive more, fewer or the same funds.
Of those who didn’t look at the budget, 36% helped increase spending on defense. But between them did Looking at the breakdown, only 18% felt the same.
Clearly, seeing how much my budget is already on the pentagon has changed my mind.
The second biggest difference was education spending. Of those who saw the sliver of the budget for that department, 57% were support for increased spending, but only 47% of those who didn’t see the budget.
Still, the defense stood out, but it’s easy to see why.
Most people I want strong national defensemany people don’t realize that it already controls discretionary spending. Pentagon Annual Budget Over $800 billionthe education sector budget is About 1/10 the. Meanwhile, the White House I want to cut We will not spend 23% of the next fiscal year.
So when people say they want more for defense, that’s because they don’t realize how much we already allocated to it. But when they look at the numbers, the support is low.
A similar pattern will be displayed as foreign aid. Opinion survey Display consistently Americans believe that the US spends around 30% of its budget on foreign aid. In reality, it’s about 1%. And polls show that seeing the real person can change your mind. For example, when KFF Respondents based on information on the real amount spent on foreign aid, the stocks the US said were spending “too much” on aid, exceeded 20% points.
This is the way public opinion is formed. Not just by value, but also by assumptions. Most Americans don’t want to diminish foreign aid or endless military spending. Instead, they are responding to the budget they imagine, not what we have.
Ultimately, looking at bar graphs can make a huge difference.
Do Americans turn on GOP?
The trend may be turning. Recent polls suggest that Americans can take a more favorable view of Congressional Democrats than Republicans.
From the beginning of December to the end of March, the net favoritism of parliamentary members of each party did not exceed two points, according to data. Morning consultation. In general, lawmakers from both parties were viewed in a similarly negative light.
But things began to open up in early April. Shortly after President Donald Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs came into effect, Democrats ran up the broadest pure lead (7 points) than Republicans since November, and for the first time since last year’s election, voter share was seen negatively and aggressively.
Furthermore, from April to the present, Democrats’ net support averaged over three points, but averaged less than one point from December to the end of March.
In other words, deadlocks are emphasized May– It’s broken.
The latest survey, which sat between May 30th and June 2nd, shows that 46% of registered voters have favorable opinions about Congressional Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans face challenges. 44% of voters viewed positively, while 48% viewed negatively.
These may seem like modest differences, but the gaps are more consistent. The Democratic Party too Leading general parliamentary votesif today’s election is held, people will ask if they will support Democrats or Republicans for their local House district. Adding these data points seems to indicate that voters are turning on the GOP’s three regiments in Washington.
One reason for the shift could be Trump’s tariff agenda. Americans hate it And Republican lawmakers generally refuse to criticize. The other might be that Republicans are. caught up in a public conflict On whether to support Trump’s so-called “one big beautiful bill” – on a massive scale, Unpopular package It will reduce food aid, Strip Health Insurance From millions, and Risk Recking The US economy.
Instead of Addressing voter concerns That’s true for Republicans about the bill. Bullying For some reason, former President Joe Biden has also gathered around Trump, who remains unpopular with morning consulting votes. 46% of voters view him favorably, while 51% view him at a disadvantage. Even Heck and Elon Musk openly criticize bill.
For now, Democrats seem to benefit from this contrast. So yes, that’s a positive start, but now the question is whether Democrats can maintain this momentum. Bring it in 2026.
Republicans make green energy sour
Wind and solar remains extremely popular, but support for these energy sources has been sliding since Trump’s first term, driven by a sharp decline between Republicans and GOP-Leaning voters. Pu Research Center.
Since 2020, Republican support for solar expansion has fallen from 84% to 61%, and from 75% to just 48% due to wind power generation.
Pew’s findings are particularly prominent in energy priorities. In 2020, 65% of Republicans said the US should focus on expanding wind and solar power, not oil, coal, or natural gas. However, 67% now say the country should prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy.
This change comes as Congressional Republicans consider Speed up approval Oil and gas projects and Reduce incentives For green energy. At the same time, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin Weak the agency and Promotes climate denial From inside.
Young Republicans continue to support the wind and the sun more than their older counterparts. Can be seen throughout the party line-But even their support is slipping. Just 51% of Republicans aged 18 to 29 say renewables are a priority, down 16 percentage points from last year.
In contrast, Democrats still dominately support renewables. Polls show that 91% of Democrats and democratic voters support more solar, while 87% support more winds. These numbers have barely changed since Trump’s first terminology. And in line with these views, 86% of Democrats say the US should prioritize renewable development over fossil fuels.
Whether Republican changing attitudes reflect true policy preferences, partisan signals, or climate-focused regulations repulsions, the result is a party that moves away from the broader partisan consensus that existed several years ago.
Are there any updates?
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Who do Democrats want to lead their party? The answer is not clear, and that may be good news for Flax’s parties. new Yougov/The Economist Polls show that Democrats are split. Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris each tied them to #1 with 21% support. Former Transport Secretary Pete Buttigigue was the only other person to fall below the double digits of 10%. Yes, New York State Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was on the list, but she pulled just 9%. A little low More than other opinion polls.
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The Trump administration’s proposed budget would do so Cut all funds For professional services supporting LGBTQ+ youth through 988 suicide and crisis lifelines, however voters don’t have it. new Data for progress Polls found that 69% of voters want to keep these services intact. Opposition parties are bipartisan and perhaps reflects Shift View Within the GOP on issues such as same-sex marriage, 56% of Republicans and 80% of Democrats support ongoing funding.
Vibrator check
According to civiqsthe percentage of registered voters who believe the economy is getting worse is roughly the same as the day after Trump announced his “his.”Release date“Taxes will be rolled out (53% on April 2nd, 52% on Friday) – but more people say the economy is improving. It has increased from 31% on April 2nd to 35% on Friday.
Of course, it is Republicans who are driving that optimism. 71% say the economy is improving compared to just 3% of Democrats who say the same thing. But it may be more about perception than reality, especially since Trump’s tariffs are just I’m starting to swing Job market.
Still, you can’t blame people for wanting. a Gallup A poll conducted in early April showed that 38% of Americans expect economic growth over the next six months, but 48% believe it will fall. Optimism may be slipping, but it hasn’t disappeared.
It could all be hopeful thinking – especially if Trump’s “one big beautiful bill” becomes law, but for now, people still hold on hope.
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