‘Shocking’ MSNBC Analyst Can’t Wrap Her Head Around Poll Suggesting Voters Think Biden Is Greater Threat to Democracy Than Trump

MSNBC political analyst Susan Del Percio found polling suggesting more than 50% of independents view President Joe Biden as a greater threat to democracy than former President Donald Trump “shocking” as she struggled to explain the result.

A PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist survey released last week found voters split on the democracy threat question. Overall, 46% said a Biden second term would “weaken” democracy, while 48% said the same about Trump returning to the White House.

On Wednesday, MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera highlighted that the poll found among independents that 53% believe Biden will weaken democracy, while only 42% believe the same about Trump. Much of Trump and Biden’s likability in polling comes down to political party allegiances, leaving 2024 to likely be decided by independents, especially those living in critical battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan.

Del Percio, a Republican strategist, was asked what she makes of the independent results, and she couldn’t explain it if it’s not an “outlier” situation.

“I find it shocking, honestly. I can’t make sense of that number. I wish I could,” she said. “I wish I could have some really great insight to it, but I don’t know if it’s an outlier or not, because the other numbers of independents are going in the right direction. So, that may be it.”

The recent poll also found a general disinterest among the public in Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial where he’s facing more than 30 felony counts. He pled not guilty against charges he falsified business records to cover up an alleged affair. The PBS survey found more than 50% are not following the trial much or at all, while 45% said paying at least some attention.

Del Percio argued the trial not being televised could be helping it from having too negative an impact on him with general voters.

“This trial is not on TV. You guys do a great job reporting what’s happening, but if there aren’t those images coming out of the courthouse, people feel like they know this story,” she said. “We’ve heard about it for a long time.”

Watch above via MSNBC.

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