Special Poll
A recent poll shows that former President Donald Trump is ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris when it comes to support from veterans, active service members, and their families. The survey, conducted by Change Research, reveals that Trump has 51% of the vote from veterans compared to Harris’s 41%, and among active-duty personnel, reservists, and guardsmen, Trump leads 49% to Harris’s 44%. The margin is even closer among family members of veterans, with Trump narrowly leading 47% to 45%.
Despite these leads, Trump’s support from these groups has declined since the 2016 election. Pollsters noted that while he won veterans by 19 percentage points in 2016, his margin has dropped to 10 points in this poll. Similarly, his lead among active service members has shrunk from 19 points to just 5, and his advantage with veterans’ families has decreased from 12 points to a slim 2 points.
Interestingly, when respondents who had voted for Trump in the past but don’t plan to this November were asked why, over half (53%) cited his attitude, comments, and policies towards veterans and service members as a key factor in their decision.
Trump’s relationship with veterans has always been complex. He has enjoyed strong support from many, but his actions and comments have sometimes drawn sharp criticism. Recently, during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a controversy arose when Trump’s campaign team reportedly filmed in a restricted area, leading to allegations of using the sacred space for political purposes. The confrontation involved cemetery staff, and critics accused Trump of disrespecting the grounds dedicated to fallen soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
While Trump’s team has denied these claims, calling them “made up,” the incident has drawn fresh scrutiny of his interactions with the military community.
In a thought-provoking part of the poll, respondents were asked how they would feel about Trump as a team member in combat. The majority weren’t confident, with 55% saying Trump would likely only look out for himself and 54% believing he would “talk a big game but not do much.” Nearly half (49%) felt that he would “crumble under pressure,” while just over a third thought he might earn a Medal of Valor.
The poll, which surveyed 1,703 veterans, active service members, and their family members from August 23 to 29, has a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points. It offers an intriguing look into how the military community views Trump as he seeks the GOP nomination again.