A recent Pew Research Center survey highlights the deep divide between supporters of President Biden and former President Trump on what are often referred to as “culture war” or “woke” issues, ranging from gender identity to criminal justice and immigration.
Conducted between April 8-14, with 8,709 U.S. adults participating, the poll reflects the stark contrasts between the two camps as the nation braces for what promises to be a fiercely contested election in November.
One notable divergence is on the concept of gender identity. A whopping 90% of Trump supporters believe that gender is determined by sex assigned at birth, whereas only 39% of Biden supporters hold that view. Conversely, nearly 60% of Biden supporters assert that gender can differ from the sex assigned at birth, while a mere 9% of Trump backers agree.
Similarly, attitudes toward the toughness of the American criminal justice system vary significantly. A substantial 81% of Trump supporters feel it is not tough enough on criminals, while just 40% of Biden supporters share this sentiment.
The topic of illegal immigration also reveals a stark contrast. Sixty-three percent of Trump supporters favor a national law enforcement effort to deport undocumented migrants currently residing in the U.S., compared to a mere 11% of Biden supporters.
Regarding the impact of slavery on the status of Black Americans today, opinions diverge sharply. Only 27% of Trump supporters believe slavery’s legacy affects the position of Black people in the U.S., while a vast majority (79%) of Biden supporters perceive it as still having a significant impact.
Despite these divisions, there are areas of agreement between the two camps. Both Trump and Biden supporters express concern about the increased use of artificial intelligence in daily life, with 59% of Trump supporters and 51% of Biden supporters viewing it unfavorably. Additionally, there is widespread consensus across both groups (94% of Biden supporters and 79% of Trump supporters) that openly discussing mental health and well-being is beneficial for society.