New poll finds majority of Republicans think Kavanaugh should be confirmed even if Christine Blasey Ford's allegation is true


As Christine Blasey Ford prepares to testify this week that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in high school, a new poll suggests many Republicans don't care whether she's telling the truth or not.
The poll, released Wednesday by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist, asked Americans if Kavanaugh should be confirmed to the Supreme Court even "if the charge of sexual assault during a party in high school by Christine Blasey Ford" is true. Among Republicans surveyed, 54 percent said he should still be confirmed. Only 32 percent of Republicans said Kavanaugh should not be confirmed if Ford's allegation is true. This was not the case among adults overall, as 59 percent of the poll's respondents said if Ford is telling the truth, Kavanaugh shouldn't be confirmed. Kavanaugh has denied the allegation.
Earlier this week, Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) suggested that Kavanaugh doing "something really bad 36 years ago" may not disqualify him from serving as a Supreme Court justice. The poll suggests many Republicans agree.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This poll was conducted by speaking to 997 adults over the phone from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24, partially before and partially after a second allegation against Kavanaugh came to light on Sept. 23. The margin of error is +/- 3.9 percent. Read the full results at NPR.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump crypto token launch earns family billions
Speed Read The World Liberty Financial token is now the Trump family's 'most valuable asset'
-
RFK Jr. names new CDC head as staff revolt
Speed Read Kennedy installed his deputy, Jim O'Neill, as acting CDC director
-
DC prosecutors lose bid to indict sandwich thrower
Speed Read Prosecutors sought to charge Sean Dunn with assaulting a federal officer
-
White House fires new CDC head amid agency exodus
Speed Read CDC Director Susan Monarez was ousted after butting heads with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccines
-
DOGE put Social Security data at risk, official says
Speed Read DOGE workers made the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft
-
Court rejects Trump suit against Maryland US judges
Speed Read Judge Thomas Cullen, a Trump appointee, said the executive branch had no authority to sue the judges
-
Trump expands National Guard role in policing
Speed Read The president wants the Guard to take on a larger role in domestic law enforcement
-
Trump says he's firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Speed Read The move is likely part of Trump's push to get the central bank to cut interest rates