Analysis

How Ripe for Tyranny Is America? Two Numbers to Give You Pause

Republicans have lost trust in the media while one in five students would tolerate violence to block out unwelcome speech.

Nick OttensNick Ottens
United States Capitol Washington
United States Capitol in Washington DC (Shutterstock/Orhan Cam)
  • Nearly one in two Americans believe the news media fabricate stories about President Donald Trump. The number is 76 percent for Republicans. Only 11 percent of Republicans are confident the media report honestly. (Conor Friedersdorf’s latest in The Atlantic is worth reading in terms of this partisan divide.)
  • Half of all college students (62 percent of Democrats, 39 percent of Republicans) believe it is acceptable to shout down controversial speakers. One in five would even tolerate violence!