Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

5 Things Americans Agree on at The Start of Trump's Second Term

News

5 Things Americans Agree on at The Start of Trump's Second Term

Group of People Waving American Flags in Back Lit

Getty Images//Rawpixel

More In Common, a nonprofit dedicated to finding ways to bridge political divisions in the US, released a new report that spotlights key areas of agreement across the political spectrum in the early days of the Trump administration.

The report, released last week, reveals a shared consensus on wildfire relief, respect for our allies, a commitment to the constitution, and a desire for unity even though each side is skeptical of the other.


How President Trump and US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle govern will highlight which voters they are listening to -- if they are listening at all.

US Voters Want Leaders That Follow the Constitution

For example, 74% of Americans, including 73% of Republicans and 71% of independents, believe President Trump should always follow the US Constitution, even if it means he can't get some things done.

One respondent that identified as a Trump voter in 2024 said “He should follow the Constitution and not break laws to do what he wants."

An interesting data point, however, is that Gen Z men stood apart from other survey groups. Forty-two percent (42%) said there are some instances in which Trump would be justified in ignoring the Constitution.

There are also more younger voters in Gen Y and Gen Z who at least somewhat prefer a political leader who is willing to bend the rules, though not a majority (36% of Millennials and 35% of Gen Zers).

Most Americans Want to See Federal Aid for California Wildfire Relief

When it comes to federal aid for natural disasters, whether it is a tornado or hurricane or wildfire, Americans have historically come together in favor of helping victims and people in need.

The California wildfires are no different -- though partisan politics has become a variable (including how people expect others to respond). More In Common found 78% of Americans at least somewhat support the US government providing assistance for relief efforts. This includes 90% of Democrats, 72% of Republicans, and 76% of independents.

Overall support among Republicans was higher than independents and Democrats expected, highlighting how the narratives over partisan divisions have caused people to see the worst in others.

For example, Republican support for relief was at 72%, but independents expected that support to be at 48% and Democrats expected it to be at 40%.

"Divided" Is the Most Common Description for America Today

Americans agree partisan divisions in the US are a problem. In fact, "divided" was the most common word used to describe the nation across the political spectrum in the survey, including 61% of independents.

The second most common description was "chaotic."

However, Americans were more likely to say the most desired quality for the US was "united" at nearly half of all respondents, followed by "honest" for independents and Democrats and "hard-working" for Republicans.

“My biggest hope is for our leaders to work together to build America back up; the land of the free for all and home of the brave," said one respondent who identified as a Harris voter in 2024.

Most Americans Want a Foreign Policy That Respects Allies and Defends Democracies

More In Common found that a majority of Americans want a foreign policy approach that respects America's allies, ensures the US is respected, stays out of foreign conflicts, but also protects democracies.

For example, 71% of survey respondents agreed the US should "honor our international alliances." Sixty-five percent (65%) said the US should "make sure the world respects America."

Sixty-three percent (63%) agreed that the US should "stay out of wars and conflicts around the world," but 60% also believe it is the US's responsibility to protect democracies from being invaded by powerful neighbors.

Elon Musk's Involvement in US Politics Gets Mixed Responses

The world's richest man, Elon Musk, has not shied away from the political arena in the US and other countries around the world, most notably supporting Donald Trump's campaign for a second presidential term.

To say there have been moments of controversy is an understatement, and how voters view him and his involvement in the nation's politics tends to come down to their own political leanings.

For example, "smart" was the most common word used to describe Musk for Americans at-large, but especially among moderates (34%), traditional conservatives (45%), and devoted conservatives (57%).

The further right a voter falls, the more favorably they tend to view Musk. The further left a voter falls, the more likely they are to describe him as "dangerous."

However, regardless of how voters view him, Americans at-large are critical of his involvement in American politics. The data found that 28% of total survey respondents thought Musk's role was at least somewhat good.

Twenty-three percent (23%) said there was an equal mix of good and bad, while 37% said somewhat or very bad.

“Elon Musk's track record in revolutionizing industries like electric vehicles and space exploration demonstrates his ability to drive significant change," said one respondent who identified as a traditional conservative and Trump voter.

"However, his involvement in politics should be carefully monitored to ensure that his decisions align with the public interest and do not disproportionately benefit his own ventures.”

Check out more from More in Common's report here.

5 Things Americans Agree on at The Start of Trump's Second Term was first published on Independent Voter News, and was republished with permission.

Shawn Griffiths is the national editor of Independent Voter News, where a version of this story first appeared.

Read More

Communication concept with multi colored abstract people icons.

Research shows that emotional, cognitive, and social mechanisms drive both direct and indirect contact, offering scalable ways to reduce political polarization.

Getty Images, Eoneren

“Direct” and “Indirect” Contact Methods Likely Work in Similar Ways, so They Should Both Be Effective

In a previous article, we argued that efforts to improve the political environment should reach Americans as media consumers, in addition to seeking public participation. Reaching Americans as media consumers uses media like film, TV, and social media to change what Americans see and hear about fellow Americans across the political spectrum. Participant-based efforts include dialogues and community-based activities that require active involvement.

In this article, we show that the mechanisms underlying each type of approach are quite similar. The categories of mechanisms we cover are emotional, cognitive, relational, and repetitive. We use the terms from the academic literature, “direct” and “indirect” contact, which are fairly similar to participant and media consumer approaches, respectively.

Keep ReadingShow less
The American Experiment Requires Robust Debate, Not Government Crackdowns

As political violence threatens democracy, defending free speech, limiting government overreach, and embracing pluralism matters is critical right now.

Getty Images, Javier Zayas Photography

The American Experiment Requires Robust Debate, Not Government Crackdowns

The assassinations of conservative leader Charlie Kirk and Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota have triggered endorsements of violence and even calls for literal war on both the far right and far left. Fortunately, an overwhelming majority of Americans reject political violence, but all of us are in a fight to keep our diverse and boisterous brand of democracy alive. Doing so requires a renewed commitment to pluralism and a clear-headed recognition of the limits of government, especially when proposals entail using the criminal justice system to punish speech.

Pluralism has been called the lifeblood of a democracy like ours, in which being an American is not defined by race or religion. It requires learning about and accepting our differences, and embracing the principle that, regardless of them, every person is entitled to be protected by our Constitution and have a voice in how we’re governed. In contrast, many perpetrators of political violence rationalize their acts by denying the basic humanity of those with whom they disagree. They are willing to face the death penalty or life in prison in an attempt to force everyone to conform to their views.

Keep ReadingShow less
A woman sitting down and speaking with a group of people.

The SVL (Stories, Values, Listen) framework—which aims to bridge political divides with simple, memorable steps for productive cross-partisan conversations—is an easy-to-use tool for making an impact at scale.

Getty Images, Luis Alvarez

Make Talking Politics Easier and More Scalable: Be SVL (Stories, Values, Listen)

How can one have a productive conversation across the political spectrum?

We offer simple, memorable guidance: Be SVL (pronounced like “civil”). SVL stands for sharing Stories, relating to a conversation partner’s Values, and closely Listening.

Keep ReadingShow less
St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s Mural: Art, Immigration, and the American Spirit

People attend a mass and ceremony for a new mural dedicated to New York City’s immigrant communities and honoring the city’s first responders at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on September 21, 2025 in New York City.

(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral’s Mural: Art, Immigration, and the American Spirit

In a bold fusion of sacred tradition and contemporary relevance, artist Adam Cvijanovic has unveiled a sweeping new mural at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City—one that reimagines the historic narthex as a vibrant ode to peace, migration, and spiritual continuity.

In an age of polarization and performative politics, it’s rare to find a work of art that speaks with both spiritual clarity and civic urgency. Yet that’s exactly what “What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding” accomplishes. The piece is more than a visual upgrade to a “dreary” entranceway—it’s a theological and cultural intervention, one that invites every visitor to confront the moral stakes of our immigration discourse.

Keep ReadingShow less