Elections

Poll: Independents Lean Toward Trump In Wake Of Orlando Attack

REUTERS/David Becker

Anders Hagstrom Justice Reporter
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Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are virtually tied following a surge of support for Trump in the wake of the June 12 terrorist attack at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, according to a new Morning Consult poll.

According to the poll, Trump’s newfound support is likely due to increasing national security concerns among voters. Previously, Trump trailed Hillary by five points, but the two presumptive nominees are now within the margin of error with one another, and the number of voters whose top issue is national security has increased 10 points since Orlando to 29 percent.

The poll, involving more than 3,800 respondents, supports Trump’s previous statements that his poll numbers “go way up” following national tragedies. Nevertheless, while voters are divided on whether economic or security issues are more important, they apparently agree on one thing: that America is off track.

A full 75 percent voters responded that the country has “seriously gotten off the wrong track.” Within parties, 57 percent of Democrats expressed the sentiment, compared with 89 percent of Republicans and 81 percent of independents.

Clinton’s support numbers have remained stagnant since early June, according to Morning Consult, while Trump has seen a three point increase sourced from independent voters.