This Election Is Ruining Friendships Across America

One in 14 voters—or 7%—say they've lost a friendship because of this year's presidential race.

Trump and Clinton are out here ruining friendships.
USA Today Sports

Image via USA TODAY Sports/Jack Gruber

Trump and Clinton are out here ruining friendships.

The 2016 presidential election hasn't been the friendliest affair. For example, just last night, Donald Trump called Hillary Clinton 'the Devil' and said that he'd throw her in jail. When asked to say something nice about Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, who previously called Trump supporters "deplorable," complimented his kids—but not him. Clearly, Trump and Hillary aren't exactly best friends. But the hostility between the two candidates is spilling over to their supporters, too.

According to a recent poll from Monmouth University, one in 14 voters say they've lost or ended a friendship because of this year's presidential race. That's right, while Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump have remained friends despite their parents, 7 percent of American voters haven't been so lucky. 

As one candidate tries to "Make America Great Again," the vast majority—70 percent—of American voters say this election has brought out the worst in people. On the other hand, a measly 4 percent of voters say that this year's presidential campaign has brought out the best in people. 

Only 9 percent of Americans are "satisfied" with our nation's politics, and only 3 percent are "happy" with it. On the other hand, about 66 percent of American voters are "dissatisfied," and 20 percent are downright "angry."

Are the tough campaigns justified, though? Overall, only 30 percent of voters think that the harsh language used in politics today is justified, with 65 percent saying it's unjustified. However, almost half—47 percent—of Trump supporters think that the campaign's harsh language is justified, with only 17 percent of Clinton supporters finding it justified. Where's the harsh language coming from? Half of voters think both sides are equally to blame, but 37 percent blame Trump with only 11 percent say Clinton is more to blame. Of Clinton supporters, 68 percent blame it more on Trump, with 28 percent blaming each side equally. But more than two-thirds of Trump supporters (67 percent) say it's equally both candidates' fault, with 23 percent blaming Clinton and her supporters for the intense language.

The Monmouth University Polling Institute's director Patrick Murray explained, "Half of Trump supporters seem to be saying let the expletives fly, but many voters blame both sides equally for the negative tone of this year's campaign."

When it comes to friends, 9 percent of Clinton supporters, 6 percent of Trump supporters, and 3 percent of everybody else have cut off friendships over the election. That's a pretty solid number, and you're likely to know someone who has lost a friend over politics. However, in past political campaigns, roughly 7 percent of voters also said that they had lost friendships, so politics suck regardless of the election.

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