2026 Midterm Talking Point: Are Our Fundamental Democratic Principles Under Threat By Authoritarianism?
Americans speak out on whether they feel that government leaders’ actions are eroding our ideals of democracy.
With Midterms coming this November, where a small wave of Democratic wins could flip control of both chambers of Congress, it’s getting more urgent and valuable to identify messaging that resonates with voters across ideological divides. Especially when it comes to communicating the threat that authoritarian governance poses to democratic principles in the US and the importance of a democracy backed by a coalition across economic, ideological, and racial lines.
This is why in 2025, the Raikes Foundation and Grow Progress partnered to gather evidence-backed insights needed to develop compelling narratives that can resonate across partisan lines and inform messaging strategies that work not just with Liberals and Democrats, but also with Republicans and Independents who already see, or can be shown, the looming danger.
We gathered these insights through an Audience Understanding Survey conducted with a national audience of 997 Americans, in which we asked to what extent they agreed or disagreed with the statement: “Recent actions by government leaders are putting our country’s basic democratic principles at risk.” Afterward, we asked them to explain their answer in their own words and asked whether they agreed or disagreed that “Our strong, vibrant, multi-racial democracy is one of the things that makes America great.”
Executive Summary
While the significant majority (63%) agree that recent actions by government leaders are putting our democratic principles at risk, 24% said they neither agree nor disagree, and 12% said they disagree. The data reveal two primary narratives, highlighting deep partisan divisions and starkly different interpretations of “risk.”
Those who disagree that democratic principles are at risk (12% total: 6% strongly, 6% somewhat) are largely Republican and view the current Trump administration as actively restoring democracy from perceived damage caused by Democrats and “liberal extremism.”
Those who agree (63% total: 39% strongly, 24% somewhat) are more ideologically diverse, but include a significant number of Republicans, and generally express concerns, ranging from specific policy impacts to fundamental fears of authoritarianism, stemming from the current administration’s actions.
Respondents in the middle of the spectrum, the “somewhat agree” and “somewhat disagree” segments, demonstrated the complexity of asking people to identify whether our democratic principles are at risk. Many people didn’t feel good about the way things were, but they also didn’t think that our democratic principles were inherently at risk, either.
Other responses showed that there is no shared definition for what it means to risk our democratic principles. For example, even on a single issue such as immigration, some people felt that more open immigration policies put democratic principles at risk, while others believed that anti-immigration policies posed a threat to democratic principles.
Key Findings by Audience Segment
Now we’ll take a closer look at all five segments and dive deeper into demographic data, as well as their own words on why they responded the way they did to the main question about their agreement on whether recent actions taken by the government are putting democratic principles at risk.
Strongly Disagree
Demographic Highlights:
- 85% voted Republican in the last Presidential election
- 60% are registered Republicans
- 67% are over the age of 55
- 42% are Protestant or another form of Christianity
This segment is staunchly Republican (60%) and pro-Trump (85% voted for Trump in 2024), and overindexed on values like patriotism, religion, rule-following, and strength. They believe the current administration is “making America great again” and fixing damage done by Democrats, and believe Democratic principles were more at risk under the previous administration due to “liberal extremism.”
We also saw the idea emerge in this segment that claims about democratic principles being at risk are false and exaggerated, and that there is no evidence to suggest that these principles are actually at risk. Some respondents claimed we live in a republic, not a democracy, so the very concept of losing democratic principles is flawed.
Multi-Racial Democracy
This segment had an agreement level of 65% (40% strongly, 25% somewhat), 19% reported being unsure, and a disagreement level of 16% (2% somewhat, 14% strongly).
Key Findings of Open-Ended Responses
This segment showed the most pro-Trump open-ended responses, and most respondents felt that the current administration is improving things. Compared with the “somewhat disagree” segment, this segment had a stronger belief that it was the Democrats who made things worse and that Trump is fixing them.
Here are the main themes we saw, along with examples of open-ended statements:
Trump is Trying to Fix Things:
- I don’t see that our democratic principles are at risk. I like some of the things that are being done, like making our country a two gender country, deporting people that are illegally over here, trying to bring jobs back to America, and so on.
- Because the current administration is doing everything possible to make America great again and is fixing all the mistakes that were created by the previous administration.
- Because President Trump and his administration are taking steps / policies to save America after all the damage done by Democrats.
Criticism of Democrats:
- Democratic principles were at risk during the last administration, currently, we are trying to get back to where we should be.
- We are getting rid of liberal extremism.
- Democrats and Biden’s people did put us at risk. Even though we are always at risk regardless of who leads, Trump gives us the best chance to defend our nation.
Democratic Principles Not at Risk/The US is a Republic:
- America is a Republic not a democracy. Democratic principles are not at risk.
- Recent actions by government leaders are doing just the opposite. The statement contradicts reality. Statements like that create problems, not solve them. It is a total misrepresentation of the facts.
Somewhat Disagree
Demographic Highlights:
- 55% are registered Republicans
- 61% voted for Trump in the 2024 election
- 52% have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher
- 33% make $100k annually
The majority of this segment are Republican (55%), and lean towards Trump (61% voted for Trump in 2024). They share similar values with the “Strongly Disagree” segment, such as strength and patriotism, but are less absolute in their Trump approval.
Notably, this segment has the highest educational attainment, with 52% of its members holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher. They also are, on average, younger than the “Strongly Disagree” segment.
Multi-Racial Democracy
Despite disagreeing with the risk statement, 72% support the principle of a multi-racial democracy (38% strongly, and 34% somewhat). 20% remain unsure, while 8% disagree (3% somewhat, and 5% strongly).
Key Findings of Open-Ended Responses
Open-ended responses in this segment skewed slightly in favor of Trump, while also indicating a notable lack of interest and indifference towards the issue. Most respondents were critical of Democrats and the past administration, but felt that the current administration/Trump is working to improve things, or at least not significantly impacting them negatively.
Trump is Trying to Fix Things:
- I feel President Trump is bringing our country back to the way it was before all the changes in sexual behavior and more than two genders. People are being more respectful of each other instead of fighting and pushing liberal agendas on others.
- Because I believe the Trump administration is on the right track and that things will get better sooner than later.
- No, cleaning out illegal immigrants is actually helping preserve the Republic.
Criticism of Democrats:
- I think the present administration is doing a fantastic job running the government, whereas the last democratic admin did nothing but mess up our country with all their woke actions.
- I don’t really follow politics because they stress me out. But when it’s a really important topic I listen and find out all about it. To me democrats want to help everyone but the other Americans.
Neither Agree Nor Disagree
Demographic Highlights:
- 57% have a High School education or less
- 69% make under $50k a year
- 54% are Independents
- 32% did not vote in the 2024 election
This segment had the largest percentage of Independent voters (54%), the lowest educational attainment (57% non-college), and a high non-voting/third-party voting rate (45% in 2024). They overindexed on values like rule-following, tradition, and safety.
One of the standout characteristics of people in this segment is the feeling that politicians “don’t care about people like me.” This group primarily expresses a lack of interest or knowledge on the issue. When opinions are offered, they are often mixed, citing issues with both Republicans and Democrats, as well as the general decline of the political system.
Multi-Racial Democracy
Of all the segments, they were the most ambivalent about “multi-racial democracy” (51% “unsure”). Still, 44% agree with the statement (22% strongly and 22% somewhat), with only 5% disagreeing (3% somewhat and 2% strongly).
Key Findings of Open-Ended Responses
The most prevalent theme in the open-ended responses for this segment was a lack of interest or knowledge in general political issues. Most respondents felt they didn’t know enough to form a strong opinion or were uncertain about how certain government actions would actually impact democratic principles.
However, a fair number of respondents in this segment did have criticisms about both the current Republican government and the Democrats.
The Current Republican Government is Making Things Worse
- I just feel like everything has really gone down and has gone to crap because sometimes the things they try to make legal does not benefit a lot of people. It only benefits the government.
- I agree to a significant extent that recent actions by some government leaders are putting our democratic principles at risk. Efforts to undermine the credibility of elections and limit press freedom threaten the core values that uphold our democracy.
Criticism of Democrats/Trump is Trying to Fix Things
- Our basic principles are not the same anymore because government leaders have passed too many laws accommodating liberals.
- I believe Trump is doing the best he can, this country has been ran wrong since the early seventies and can’t be fixed overnight, it’s going to take time.
- The previous administration put our basic principles at risk by allowing millions of people to enter our country without proper vetting, putting our citizens at risk.
Indifference or Lack of Knowledge
- I don’t really pay much attention to politics, I don’t think they are bad decisions either.
- I don’t tend to focus on things outside of my control.
- I believe some actions are concerning, but others seem routine. I’m waiting to see long-term impacts before forming a strong opinion.
Somewhat Agree
Demographic Highlights:
- 39% attend religious service weekly
- 42% have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher
- 26% make $100k or more a year
- 50% are married or in a partnership
This segment expresses concern, but their reasons and intensity vary. They’re ideologically diverse (32% Democrat, 31% Republican, 37% Independent), and lean more towards Trump (44% voted for Trump and 31% voted for Harris) than the “strongly agree” segment.
This segment valued optimism, social trust, achievement, and reputation. Something we saw more in this group than in the others was the belief in compromise as a means to get things done, as well as nostalgia for the way things “used to be” politically, where both sides spent more time working together.
Multi-Racial Democracy
Overall, 70% of respondents in this segment agreed (35% strongly and 35% somewhat), compared to only 6% who disagreed (4% somewhat and 2% strongly). 24% reported to be unsure.
Key Findings of Open-Ended Responses
While we still saw a fair amount of indifference and a lack of knowledge in this segment, the more predominant themes were expressing concern over the current administration’s actions, along with increased commentary on the attitude of the current administration, and the genuine fears people hold as they continue to feel that things are getting worse.
We also saw more specific policies mentioned (such as Medicaid, economic issues, and international affairs). People in this group also identified the situation as complex and blamed both political parties, as well as the general state of political polarization.
The Current Republican Government is Making Things Worse
- These leaders are doing things that go against what’s in the Constitution. They are basically rewriting it. They are not adhering to federal court case rulings, and they are following the President who thinks of himself as a dictator.
- Because of the government trying to do away with Medicaid and other programs that will put millions of people at risk who depend on these programs for their very existence.
- Our current administration is ignoring court judgments, indiscriminately rounding up immigrants, harassing universities, and rolling back civil rights and environmental programs.
Mixed Feelings/Blaming Both Parties
- I believe some recent decisions and policies by government leaders have raised concerns about democratic accountability, transparency, and rule of law. While I don’t think these actions have completely undermined democracy, they do pose challenges to the fundamental principles that sustain a healthy democratic system.
- Political division in this country is having an adverse effect on the direction.
- Our government has been living precariously for the last few incumbents and acting as if the rest of us can’t even read “we the people.”
- They speak, thinking their solutions are right and all others are wrong, fight amongst each other, and don’t care about the public’s interest.
Strongly Agree
Demographic Highlights:
- 58% voted for Harris in 2024
- 48% are registered Democrats
- 37% don’t attend weekly religious services
- 35% live in urban settings
This segment skews more Democratic (48% Democrat, 34% Independent, 18% Republican) and leans farther away from Trump (58% voted Harris) than the “somewhat agree” segment. They value social trust, environmentalism, and compassion for others, believing that our government should do more to solve problems.
Of all the segments, this group is the most critical of the current Trump administration, using strong, emotional language like “fascist,” “corrupt,” “evil,” and “authoritarian.” They cite specific concerns, ranging from Trump administration policy (tax cuts to the rich, funding cuts, expansion of ICE and deportations) to perceived attacks on institutions and fundamental rights. This group fears an erosion of basic democratic principles and a shift towards authoritarianism.
Multi-Racial Democracy
This segment shows the most agreement towards this sentiment, with an overall agreement rating of 85% (70% strongly, 15% somewhat) compared to 4% who disagree (2% strongly and 2% somewhat). 10% reported they were unsure.
Key Findings of Open-Ended Responses
This segment was the most critical of the current administration in their open-ended comments, and was the most likely to cite specific concerns. These ranged from things that impact everyday life, such as rising prices and Medicaid, to discussions about government inner workings, like DOGE.
As we noted earlier, this group also used stronger, emotionally charged language to describe the extremism and authoritarian nature of the Trump administration, showing genuine concern for an erosion of fundamental rights and democratic principles.
The Current Republican Government is Making Things Worse
- With Trump elected to office again he seems even worse than the first time around. He is effecting so much more with Musk and DOGE, deportations off the charts, global tariffs, more tax cuts to the wealthy, cutting governmental funding for those in need, blackmailing Universities like Harvard, pardoning criminals at his whim and on and on. This is not Democracy 🙁
- So many things are trying to be reversed or taken away from people just like me. It’s scary that the Republicans want to see people just like me die in the streets just so they can line their pockets.
- Trump has no principles, when he cuts snap and medicaid he is going against any principles.
- Yes it’s putting this country at risk, due to an incompetent president and cabinet members. The elected official was elected for the people, not for the president.
- The basic lines separating church and state are being smeared. the Regime is out of control.
Current Government is Acting Authoritarian/I’m Fundamentally Concerned For Our Country
- Because this is becoming a fascist country led by an authoritarian.
- Trump wants to abolish term limits and set himself up as dictator for life, like his heroes Putin and Kim Il Jong. He is already silencing media critics and censoring news, just like the Nazis did in 1935
- Because Trump is breaking the law and separating the people. He is taking away our rights and causing a great depression.
- Under the new administration, the President has put democratic principles at total risk with the things he is incorporating.
- Because actions by leaders, ie: Trump, are slowly but surely destroying everything good this country stands for in helping people, while working to move money into the pockets of the already ultra-wealthy. And people voted for this orange stain.
Conclusion
The data highlights the importance of understanding the values, concerns, and viewpoints of the American people. We are, and will likely continue to be, deeply polarized, which means it is more important than ever to know how to talk to distinct groups of people in ways that resonate with their worldviews.
For example, we have seen that ideologically diverse groups, such as the “somewhat agree” segment, share common ground in values like accountability, the rule of law, compromise, and the tangible impact of policies (e.g., economic, healthcare). Tailoring messaging around these commonalities can help reach a critical audience receptive to the idea that we need to do more to protect our Democratic institutions.
And while there is a significant segment of the population that is disengaged from politics, we know that reaching them requires non-political messengers and framing around concrete community concerns, such as safety and local well-being, rather than abstract democratic theory.
