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MAGA Voters Say They Would Still Back GOP Candidates Facing Serious Accusations

The poll’s findings point to a weakening of scandal-based checks on politicians, likely reshaping accountability, candidate vetting, electoral dynamics for the Republican Party.

Overview

  • The poll, conducted July 12–15 by Public First and reported by Politico, surveyed 2,061 U.S. adults online and found 72% of self-identified MAGA voters would still support a Republican accused of domestic violence.
  • The survey also found 66% of MAGA respondents would continue backing a Republican accused of sexual assault, and no tested scandal drove MAGA support below a majority across a dozen hypothetical cases.
  • Other results showed high MAGA retention for a range of allegations, including 82% for legal tax loopholes, 76% for a past DUI, 75% for taking lobbyist gifts, 74% for blackface or workplace bullying, 58% for antisemitic statements, and 57% for sharing classified information with a foreign government.
  • The poll documented a clear partisan double standard: many Republicans were likelier to say a Democratic candidate should drop out over an allegation than they were to say the same about a Republican facing identical claims.
  • Commentators say the findings update earlier reporting that some non-MAGA Republicans and independents have drifted away, and they warn the pattern could reduce the political cost of misconduct, change how parties vet candidates, and affect turnout and local races.