Survey: Most Americans rarely talk politics with people who disagree with them

The majority of Americans don't talk to someone with differing political views more than once per month, according to a new NBC News survey.

An NBC News and SurveyMonkey online poll found that 48 percent of Americans talk politics to people whom they disagree at least once a week; 14 percent say these conversations happen once a month; 15 percent say a few times a year; and 21 percent say almost never.

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Other findings of the online poll include:

Trump Truthfulness

  • 37% of Americans think President Trump tells the truth all or most of the time; 61% think the President tells the truth only some of the time or less

Involvement in Politics

  • 48% of Americans talk politics to people whom they disagree at least once a week; 14% say these conversations happen once a month; 15% say a few times a year; and 21% say almost never
  • 51% find these conversations to be stressful and frustrating; 45% find them to be interesting and informative
  • 71% of Americans agree that they can make a difference by participating in politics; 26% disagree 

Trump Approval

  • 53% of Americans disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president and 45% approve

Political Ideology

  • 55% of adults believe most Americans are moderate when it comes to most political issues; 24% say most Americans are conservative; and 16% say most Americans are liberal
  • 63% of Americans believe Donald Trump is conservative on most political issues -  including a quarter who believe he is very conservative; 22% say he is moderate and 12% say he is liberal
  • Two-thirds of Americans (67%) believe the Republican Party is conservative on most political issues – including 29% who say the party is very conservative; 21% say the party is moderate and 8% say the party is liberal
  • 63% of Americans believe the Democratic Party is liberal on most political issues – including a third who say the party is very liberal; 24% say the party is moderate and 9% say the party is conservative

Here's the full poll results and methodology


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.