Nearly half of America still thinks Trump colluded with Russia, even after Barr's Mueller report summary
After Attorney General William Barr announced Sunday that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation found no legally actionable evidence that President Trump or his campaign conspired or coordinated with Russia to win the 2016 election, House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) shrugged. "Undoubtedly there is collusion," he told The Washington Post. Nearly half of America agrees with him.
In a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday, 48 percent of respondents agreed "Trump or someone from his campaign worked with Russia to influence the 2016 election," which is down 6 percentage points from last week. The poll also found 53 percent said "Trump tried to stop investigations into Russian influence on his administration," a drop of 2 points; and 57 percent said they want to see Mueller's entire report. In all, only 9 percent of respondents familiar with Barr's summary said it had changed their views on Trump and Russia.
Trump got a bump in his approval rating, however, to 43 percent from 39 percent last week, hitting a 2019 high. Other polls conducted after Barr released his summary found little to no bump for Trump and worse numbers for the president on whether he obstructed justice, a determination Mueller declined to adjudicate. Rick Newman at Yahoo Finance predicted Monday that "the Mueller findings will probably produce a modest and temporary bump in Trump's approval rating, with voters promptly refocusing on issues that concern them most: the economy, health care, and education."
Subscribe to 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.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll reached 1,003 adults online Monday and Tuesday, 948 of whom had read or heard Barr's summary; the poll has a credibility interval of about 4 percentage points.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 3, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - differences, similarities, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Cabinet Minister: 'sparkling' comedy with a 'satirical sting'
The Week Recommends Nancy Carroll's revival of Arthur Wing Pinero's classic farce is a 'life-affirming triumph'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Cosy stays around the world
The Blend About time life gave you a hug? Then check in here...
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu makes controversial address
Speed Reads Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress denounced Gaza war protestors
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published