In this 2018 survey, eight percent of respondents stated they think the biggest problem for the United States today is Donald Trump. In fact, most of the important problems mentioned are somehow related to the current POTUS – the most mentioned one being immigration and racism.
A country divided
Since Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, political camps in the United States are deeply divided and global politics is in turmoil; Trump’s job approval ratings are notoriously low, and in fact, they are lower than Reagan’s or Nixon’s averages ever were. Trump’s leadership is controversial at best and his executive orders often cause protests, especially among Democrats and liberals – like the travel ban for Muslims.
On the other side
One of Trump’s main campaign promises was a wall on the border with Mexico in order to keep potential illegal immigrants out and enhance security for American citizens. When he did not get the majority for this plan, he declared a national emergency to force the budget to be allocated, even though the majority of Americans did not support this idea, and it is unclear if the situation at the Mexican border actually warrants it. In fact, the total number of unauthorized immigrants has decreased over the last few years and today, many Americans believe that their country benefits from immigrants and their work .
What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Immigration
12%
Race relations/ racism
8%
Donald Trump
8%
Parties/ gridlock/ divisions in country
7%
Economy (general), health care/costs/accessibility
6%
Unemployment/ lack of jobs
4%
Distribution of wealth / Inequality
4%
Education/ schools/ affording education
4%
Foreign policy (general)
4%
Crime/violence/judicial system
3%
Morality/ ethics/ family values
3%
Gun control/ too many guns
3%
Lack of humanity/ respect
3%
Environment/ global warming
2%
Dissatisfaction with government/ politics/ corruption
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Pew Research Center. (June 20, 2018). What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/239613/most-important-problems-in-us-politics/
Pew Research Center. "What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?." Chart. June 20, 2018. Statista. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/239613/most-important-problems-in-us-politics/
Pew Research Center. (2018). What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/239613/most-important-problems-in-us-politics/
Pew Research Center. "What Do You Think Is The Most Important Problem Facing This Country Today?." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/239613/most-important-problems-in-us-politics/
Pew Research Center, What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/239613/most-important-problems-in-us-politics/ (last visited November 22, 2024)
What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today? [Graph], Pew Research Center, June 20, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/239613/most-important-problems-in-us-politics/