Americans seem to be more on edge than ever following last weekend's assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll taken since the assassination attempt finds 80% of respondents agree with the statement that "the country is spiraling out of control." That includes similar percentages of Republicans and Democrats. The survey also finds 84% of Americans fear there will be acts of political violence surrounding this year's election.
This dour outlook on the country is not necessarily surprising, considering the recency of the Trump rally shooting and all of the other unrest domestically and internationally. "(The American people) know that we are in severe chaos, both here and around the world," says Luke Macias, host and political analyst. "The promise of Joe Biden when he ran was elect me and I will restore our nation to sanity, and we've only seen domestic and international disputes on the rise since then."
Both sides have called for unity and healing in the immediate aftermath of the Trump shooting. Macias thinks that will likely subside in the weeks and months ahead, but he does believe the long-term solution is out there. "Our nation is more divided than ever, and that's not going to be a one or two-year fix," he tells KTRH. "There is a spiritual element, where a return to our Creator is ultimately needed for us to live in harmony and peace, but our education system is also in desperate need of reform."
"So I don't think that we are gonna turn things around immediately, but I do think if November's election goes in the direction toward a more conservative perspective and policy, then we will at least set our country on a path to restoration and peace."