In the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that most Americans believe the way politicians and the public talk about politics is making the
country more violent.
The three-day survey, which wrapped up Sunday, found that about two-thirds of Americans—63%—think harsh political rhetoric is doing “a lot” to encourage violence. Another 31% said it plays at least some role, while only a small minority said it has no effect.
The poll comes at a tense moment. In June, Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, part of a troubling rise in politically motivated attacks. Researchers at the University of Maryland say that in just the first half of this year, the U.S. saw around 150 such incidents—almost double compared to the same period last year.
Kirk, best known for leading Turning Point USA and energizing young conservatives during Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, was shot and killed by a sniper while speaking at Utah Valley University. Though he often said he wanted to promote civil debate, he was also known for sharp criticism of civil rights legislation and LGBTQ+ people. His accused killer was arrested the next day and is set to face formal charges this week.
The violence has only deepened partisan tensions. President Donald Trump—who survived two assassination attempts last year—lashed out at his political rivals after Kirk’s death, calling his opponents “radical left lunatics” and urging his supporters to fight back.
But beyond politics, the poll shows a wider sense of unease. Nearly 8 in 10 Americans believe the country has grown less tolerant of differing opinions over the past two decades. About 71% agreed with the statement that “American society is broken,” and two-thirds said they fear people in their own communities could be attacked for their political views.
The shooting of Charlie Kirk drew far more public attention than the Minnesota killings: 68% of respondents said they had heard or read “a lot” about Kirk’s death, compared to just 26% who said the same about the earlier attack on Democratic lawmakers.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online with 1,037 adults across the U.S. and carries a margin of error of about three percentage points. Photo by Cliff from I now live in Arlington, VA (Outside Washington DC), USA. Uploaded by Mifter, Wikimedia commons.
