Nearly Three-Quarters Of MAGA Voters Would Back Candidates Accused Of Domestic Violence Or Sexual Assault, Poll Finds

A new poll finds that broad majorities of self-identified MAGA (Donald Trump) supporters say they would continue to back a Republican candidate even if that candidate were accused of serious misconduct — including domestic violence or sexual assault. The survey contrasts those responses with the more cautious attitudes of voters who say they supported Kamala Harris in 2024.

Key Findings

72% of MAGA voters said they would still support a candidate accused of domestic violence, and 66% would support one accused of sexual assault.

'Scandal doesn't mean what it did 15 years ago. The rules have changed, and Republican voters know it,' GOP strategist Ford O'Connell told Politico (Getty Images)

Tolerance was higher for other controversies: 82% would back a candidate who used legal tax loopholes, 76% would support one with a past DUI conviction, and 75% would back a candidate who accepted gifts from lobbyists. Even for being photographed in blackface, 74% of MAGA respondents said they would still support the candidate.

The smallest—but still majority—shares among MAGA respondents said they would stand by candidates who made antisemitic comments (58%) or who shared classified information with a foreign government (57%).

Graham Platner, who was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Maine, bowed out of the race after he was was accused last month by a former girlfriend of sexual assault, an accusation he has denied (Reuters)

"Scandal doesn't mean what it did 15 years ago. The rules have changed, and Republican voters know it," GOP strategist Ford O'Connell told Politico. "Republicans, particularly MAGA voters, have learned that Queensberry rules don't win in modern politics. Today it's a full-contact fight, more UFC than civics class, and anything goes."

How Harris Supporters Responded

Voters who identified as having supported Kamala Harris in 2024 were generally more cautious: fewer than half said they would continue supporting a Democratic candidate implicated in six of the 12 listed scandals. Roughly 40% of Harris supporters said they would stand by candidates accused of domestic violence or sexual assault, or those who had accepted gifts from lobbyists.

There were two notable exceptions where Harris supporters were slightly more forgiving than MAGA respondents: 70% of Harris voters said they would back a candidate with a prior DUI conviction (vs. 65% of MAGA voters), and about 50% of Harris voters said they would back someone who had made antisemitic comments (about 2 points higher than MAGA voters).

Real-World Consequences

These survey responses reflect real electoral dynamics: Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, withdrew after an accusation of sexual assault and a series of other controversies cost him critical party support. In Ohio, Rep. Max Miller, running for re-election, has faced abuse allegations from his ex-wife — which he denies — and has vowed to stay in the race. Such cases show that while many voters may express tolerance for scandals in a survey, allegations can still reshape campaigns and party calculations in practice.

Methodology

The poll was conducted July 13–15 among 2,061 U.S. adults. Respondents were asked whether they would stick with their party's candidate if the midterm elections were held tomorrow, across a list of 12 different scandals ranging from tax loopholes and DUIs to sexual assault and sharing classified information.