In a shocking turn of events that no one saw coming (wink), voter fraud — the issue that had Trump supporters clutching their pearls just weeks ago — has magically become less concerning. A new POLITICO|Morning Consult poll reveals that nearly 90% of Trump voters were deeply worried about voter fraud before Election Day. But now that their guy’s back in the Oval Office? Only about a third still think it’s a “serious issue.” Funny how that works.
Election Security: A Problem Only When You Lose
Before the election, Trump supporters could’ve been extras in a dystopian drama about fraudulent votes stealing democracy. But now? Crickets. Meanwhile, Harris supporters had their concerns, too — nearly half of them, in fact. Post-election, both sides seemed to dial it back, but the dramatic flip among Trump voters is chef’s kiss irony. Turns out, election integrity is subjective: secure when you win, rigged when you lose.
And let’s not forget the ongoing battle over mail-in voting and voter ID laws. Trump-world spent months telling their base to embrace mail ballots, but no amount of Republican PR could sway Harris voters, who remain the staunchest advocates for mail voting. As for voter ID? It’s still a hot-button issue, with nearly 80% of Trump voters and half of Harris voters clinging to the idea that flashing an ID at the polls will save democracy.
The Economy: Reality Is Overrated
Let’s talk about the economy. Before the election, only 8% of Trump supporters thought the economy was on the “right track.” Fast forward to after his win, and suddenly 28% think things are looking up. Did the stock market skyrocket? Nope. Did inflation vanish overnight? Also no. It’s almost as if people’s economic outlook is less about data and more about which team won.
Harris voters, meanwhile, experienced the opposite: a pre-election 59% optimism rate plummeted to 46% after their candidate’s loss. Spoiler alert: the economy didn’t actually change in those two weeks. But hey, why let facts get in the way of a good partisan narrative?
Pardons and Predictions: The Trump Playbook
Ah, the January 6 defendants — heroes to some, criminals to others. Trump’s campaign promise to pardon them splits voters right down party lines. While 53% of Trump supporters are all for it, 74% of Harris voters want to see those folks stay behind bars. Still, most voters across the spectrum agree on one thing: Trump will probably issue those pardons anyway. Consistency is key, after all.
This divide mirrors broader feelings about Trump’s impending second term. While 64% of Trump voters are giddy with optimism, 65% of Harris voters are bracing for disaster. On democracy, national security, and public health, the partisan gaps are predictably massive. But here’s a curveball: even 42% of Harris voters are optimistic about how Trump’s presidency might impact their wallets. Money talks, no matter who’s in charge.
The Bottom Line: Same Reality, Different Bubbles
If this poll tells us anything, it’s that reality is overrated when partisanship can fill in the gaps. Trump voters have gone from doomsday prophets to believers in sunshine and rainbows, while Harris supporters are drafting their dystopian novels. Neither side’s actual circumstances have changed, but perception, as they say, is everything.
In the end, it’s all about the scoreboard. When your team wins, the game was fair, the rules were fine, and the future is bright. When your team loses? Well, then it’s all rigged, and we’re teetering on the edge of chaos. So here’s to another four years of polarized bliss — because if there’s one thing Americans can agree on, it’s that they’ll never agree on anything.
