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Nearly Half of Americans See Trump as 'Racist': Poll
The Economist/YouGov survey finds 47% of respondents describe the former president with that label.
Published on Feb. 26, 2026
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A new poll from The Economist/YouGov found that 47% of Americans believe the label 'racist' accurately describes former President Donald Trump. The survey, conducted between February 13-16, also found that 24% said the 'racist' label does not fit Trump, while 29% had no opinion. Trump has faced numerous accusations of racism throughout his political career, including recent allegations over a video he posted featuring former President Obama and Michelle Obama as apes.
Why it matters
The public perception of Trump as a racist figure has been a major point of contention during and after his presidency. This poll reflects the ongoing debate over Trump's rhetoric and policies, which many have criticized as having racist undertones or directly targeting minority communities.
The details
The Economist/YouGov poll surveyed 1,682 respondents and had a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. In addition to the 47% who described Trump as 'racist,' 24% said the label does not fit him, and 29% had no opinion. Trump has faced repeated accusations of racism, including over his administration's actions and a recent social media post featuring the Obamas as apes, which was widely condemned as racist.
- The Economist/YouGov poll was conducted between February 13-16, 2026.
The players
Donald Trump
The former president of the United States who has faced numerous accusations of racism throughout his political career.
Tim Scott
The only Black Republican senator, who called a video posted by Trump featuring the Obamas as apes 'the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House.'
What they’re saying
“'the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House.'”
— Tim Scott, U.S. Senator
The takeaway
This poll underscores the deep divisions in how the public perceives Trump's record on race, with nearly half of Americans viewing him as a racist figure. It highlights the ongoing debate over the former president's rhetoric and policies, and their impact on minority communities.
