Poll: Trump voters’ views softening on Russia

The views of Donald Trump’s supporters toward Russia are softening, according to a YouGov/Economist poll released Wednesday.

{mosads}Since August, the percentage of Trump supporters who view Russia either as an enemy or unfriendly has dropped 11 points, from 67 percent to 56 percent. Only 29 percent of his supporters think that Trump sees Russia that way.

Twenty-eight percent of Trump’s supporters now see Russia as friendly or an ally to the U.S. 

Here is Republicans and Democrats on Vladimir Putin since July 2014. pic.twitter.com/s4I6FY5cbt

— Will Jordan (@williamjordann) December 14, 2016

Just 21 percent of all Americans see Russia as an ally or friendly, while 58 percent see Moscow as an enemy or unfriendly. Just more than half, 54 percent, think Trump sees Russia as a friend.

There’s also a partisan divide over views of Russian President Vladimir Putin. About half — 51 percent — of Trump voters the Russian leader unfavorably, with 35 percent viewing him favorably. Among Hillary Clinton voters, however, Putin has an 80 percent unfavorable rating and an 8 percent favorable rating.

WikiLeaks has also seen a partisan shift in the months after posting stolen emails from the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee.  

The organization’s net favorability rating among GOP voters rose 9 points since August.  Its net favorability rating among Democrats over that period declined 3 points.  

The poll surveyed 1,465 adults from Dec 10–13. It has a margin of error of 3.1 points.