A new Fox News poll found U.S. voters believe by a rate of more than three-to-one that the media has been “tougher” on President Trump than it was on former President Barack Obama.
The Feb. 11-13 survey concluded 68 percent of respondents think the Republican has been covered to a greater extent than his Democratic predecessor, while 18 percent said Obama experienced a harsher press than Trump. Twelve percent said the two have faced similar media standards.
Republicans were significantly more likely to trust Trump than the press, while Democrats overwhelmingly said they feel the same way about the press.
Among conservatives, 81 percent stood by Trump and 79 percent of liberals picked the media. In another question, 42 percent of Democrats said reporters have been tougher on Trump. A little more than one-third of people said the coverage has been “easier.”
More voters trust Trump to tell the public “the truth” than reporters, but the results were close. Approximately 45 percent banked on Trump, while 42 percent stood by the media. Ten percent stated they don’t trust either party to be honest.
The majority of voters – 55 percent – think it is “better for the country if journalists” cover the president “aggressively” than give him the “benefit of doubt.” Less than two-in-five voters disagreed.
The poll was conducted by Anderson Robbins Research and Shaw & Company Research through phone interviews with 1,013 randomly selected voters nationwide. The survey had a three percentage point margin of error.
