Do majorities of Trump and Harris voters agree on anything? Poll finds rare consensus

Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump widely disagree on numerous issues, from the role of government to America’s place in the world.

However, a handful of issues unite a majority of both groups, according to a new poll.

The latest research from the Pew Research Center found four issues that most Harris and Trump supporters agree on.

Pew sampled 4,527 registered voters across two surveys, the first of which was conducted between April 8 and 14 — when President Joe Biden was still in the race.

The second was conducted between Aug. 5 and 11 — when Harris was the official Democratic nominee.

Unifying issues

Harris and Trump supporters were most aligned when it came to protecting Social Security.

Eighty-three percent of Harris supporters and 77% of Trump supporters agreed that the retirement income “should NOT be reduced in any way.”

There was also consensus on the issue of America’s military preeminence.

Seventy-six percent of Trump supporters and 55% of Harris supporters agreed that government policies should help keep the U.S. as “the only military superpower.”

Further, both camps agreed that religion should remain separate from the business of government, with 87% of Harris supporters and 55% of Trump supporters in agreement.

A majority of both Trump and Harris supporters also didn’t agree with the statement that “the gains women have made in society have come at the expense of men,” according to the poll. Just 11% of those backing Harris agreed, while 27% of those hoping to put Trump back in the White House agreed.

Dividing issues

Meanwhile, a majority of Harris and Trump supporters did not agree on the 11 other issues included in the polls, including six cultural issues.

Among the cultural issues included in the polls, the issue of gun ownership was the most divisive.

An overwhelming majority of Trump supporters, 89%, agreed that gun ownership helps promote safety “by allowing law-abiding citizens to protect themselves,” while just 18% of Harris supporters agreed.

There was also a massive divide over the effect of slavery on today’s society.

When presented with the statement that “the legacy of slavery affects the position of Black people in American society today a great deal/fair amount,” 80% of Harris supporters agreed, while just 24% of Trump supporters agreed.

Presented with the statement that “America’s openness to people from all over the world is essential to who we are as a nation,” 88% of Harris supporters agreed and 34% of Trump supporters agreed.

The subject of gender identity saw some of the lowest levels of support from Trump’s backers.

Just 7% of Trump supporters agreed that someone can be a different gender than what they were assigned at birth. Sixty percent of Harris supporters, on the other hand, agreed.

When it came to the size and scope of the government, there was also widespread disagreement.

Eighty-four percent of Trump supporters said they would want a smaller government that provides fewer services, while just 22% of Harris supporters said the same.

Additionally, the vast majority of Harris supporters, 91%, said the government is responsible for ensuring Americans have health care coverage, while 32% of Trump supporters said the same.

A majority of Trump supporters, 72%, also said government assistance to poor Americans “does more harm than good,” while 18% of Harris supporters said the same.

And on America’s role in the world, one key issue divided the camps.

More than three-quarters of Harris supporters, 79%, agreed that “the U.S. should take into account the interests of its allies, even if it means making compromises with them.” Meanwhile, 40% of Trump supporters agreed.

This story was originally published August 26, 2024 at 3:10 PM with the headline "Do majorities of Trump and Harris voters agree on anything? Poll finds rare consensus."