Republicans who receive their news from nonconservative mainstream media sources are less likely to support Donald J. Trump compared to those who follow conservative outlets, as per a recent New York Times/Siena College poll. There is a significant portion of this group that believes Mr. Trump engaged in criminal behavior, which could potentially impact his standing among Republicans in the general electorate – a different group from G.O.P. primary voters.
Research indicates that altering the media consumption habits of Fox News viewers could potentially change their perspectives. In the poll, every Republican who reported obtaining news from Fox News or other conservative sources expressed their intent to support Mr. Trump in the general election. On the other hand, Republicans who primarily follow outlets like CNN and major news organizations were less steadfast, with only 79% planning to vote for Mr. Trump and 13% showing support for President Biden.
Mainstream media Republicans are generally less supportive of Mr. Trump in various aspects compared to their conservative media counterparts. They are less likely to express enthusiasm for Mr. Trump as the party’s nominee and are more inclined to believe that his policies have not benefited them personally.
Despite the common viewpoint that most Republicans watch Fox News, the distribution of Republicans obtaining information from sources like CNN or major newspapers is on par with those primarily consuming conservative media. These mainstream media Republicans tend to identify as politically moderate and have differing perspectives on figures like Nikki Haley.
A study conducted by political scientists revealed that exposing conservative news viewers to mainstream news can lead to a shift in their views on topics like immigration and race relations. Participants also began questioning their trust in Fox News after the experiment, suggesting that media consumption directly influences individuals’ political perspectives.
The divide between mainstream media Republicans and conservative media Republicans is evident in their views on the criminal charges against Mr. Trump. The former group was more likely to view the charges against Mr. Trump as legitimate and believed he should be held accountable for his actions. However, there is a chance that some mainstream media Republicans may still opt to support Mr. Trump in the upcoming election despite their reservations.
