CONGRESSIONAL HORSERACE TIED AT 50-50
73% OF VOTERS SUPPORT U.S. MILITARY AND ECONOMIC FORCE IF IRAN DOES NOT GIVE UP CONTROL OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
78% OF VOTERS FAVOR FREE ENTERPRISE OVER SOCIALISM BUT A MAJORITY HOLDS THE MISCONCEPTION THAT RIGHTS, BUSINESS, AND HOME OWNERSHIP ARE GUARANTEED UNDER SOCIALISM
50% OF VOTERS BELIEVE PRICE INCREASES CAUSED BY TENSIONS WITH IRAN WILL BE SHORT-TERM, AN 8-PT. IMPROVEMENT FROM MAY
69% OF VOTERS SUPPORT MEDICARE FOR ALL
82% OF VOTERS SAY AI HAS SOCIAL DANGERS, CITING JOB LOSS AND POWER USAGE AS TOP CONCERNS
TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS SAY THE U.S. SHOULD SLOW DOWN ON AI DEVELOPMENT, WITH 53% MORE LIEKLY TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO FAVOR A SLOWDOWN
74% OF VOTERS ARE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN TODAY, WITH THREE-QUARTERS OF AMERICANS SAYING THEY ARE LIVING OR WILL ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM
NEW YORK AND CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) today released the results of the July Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.
President Donald Trump's approval rating is at 42%. His job approval is highest on immigration (49%) and fighting crime (47%); and lowest on handling inflation (35%) and managing the Iran conflict (38%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on the economy, midterms, socialism, healthcare, AI, the Supreme Court, sentiments toward America and American identity, and conflicts in the Middle East. Download the key results here.
"Trump's approval continues to be flat as voters want to see an end to inflation," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "Meanwhile, on the country's 250th anniversary, most voters are proud to be American, see freedom as a defining value, and favor free enterprise - but they hold misconceptions that those rights are guaranteed under socialism."
ECONOMY AND INFLATION REMAIN TOP PRIORITIES FOR VOTERS
Of key institutions, voters have the most favorable view of the U.S. military (+58 net favorable) and the United States (+56), and the least favorable view of communism (-55), and Iran (-51).
Inflation and the economy remain voters' top concerns, though inflation ticked down in salience (-4 pts., May 2026) as did the U.S.-Iran conflict (-4) and the federal budget deficit (-3). Race relations ticked up in salience (+3).
MORE VOTERS BELIEVE IRAN-INDUCED INFLATION IS TEMPORARY BUT STILL THINK IT IS ABOVE 3 PERCENT
MAJORITY OF TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE STRONG SUPPORT INCLUDING VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS AMONG THE MOST SUPPORTED
11 out of 13 key Trump policy positions continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (86% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (79%), and requiring proof of citizenship to vote (70%).
CONGRESSIONAL HORSERACE AT A TIE WITH HARRIS AND VANCE LOSING GROUND BUT STILL THE FRONTRUNNERS FOR 2028 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
MOST VOTERS FAVOR FREE ENTERPRISE OVER SOCIALISM AND DID NOT BELIEVE GRAHAM PLATNER WAS A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE
Large majorities of voters prefer a system of government where people can start their own businesses (88%), own homes (88%), earn money based on merit and work (88%), and practice their freedom of speech and religion rights as citizens without them being taken away (77%).
A majority of voters believe that under socialism, people can own homes (60%), businesses (57%), and practice freedom of religion and speech rights (59%).
MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT MEDICARE FOR ALL DESPITE BEING SATISFIED WITH THEIR OWN COVERAGE RIGHT NOW
MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICANS USE AI DAILY BUT MANY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT NEGATIVE SOCIAL IMPACTS, CALLING FOR A SLOWDOWN IN AI DEVELOPMENT
Voters are split 50-50 on whether they find AI amazing, but 67% say we need to slow down the rush on AI, including a majority across political parties. 68% of voters say the U.S. should slow down AI development until there are stronger safeguards in place.
53% of voters say they would oppose a data center in their own neighborhood (Support: 25%), and the same share say such a facility should not be allowed near them even if the company provides local jobs, benefits, and protections.
VOTERS TRUST SUPREME COURT TO UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T FAVOR ITS DECISIONS
MOST VOTERS PROUD TO BE AMERICAN TODAY, CHAMPIONING FREEDOM AS A DEFINING VALUE AND SOURCE OF PRIDE
Freedom (75%) and peace (59%) are the most defining American values for voters across political party lines. Views differ on the importance of equality, democracy, patriotism, and diversity as American values.
U.S.-IRAN MOU VIEWED AS A WIN FOR AMERICA BUT A MAJORITY BELIEVES IRAN IS IN VIOLATION OF THE TERMS
69% of voters say they are following developments in the U.S., Israel, and Iran conflict closely, including a majority across political parties and age groups. 50% have heard of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on June 17.
MAJORITY OF VOTERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL OVER HAMAS; BELIEVE TERRORIST GROUPS ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO DESTROY IT
77% of voters believe there are terrorist groups on the borders of Israel today, including a majority across political parties and age groups. 43%, a plurality, believe the groups are trying to destroy Israel.
The July Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on July 11-12, 2026, among 1,776 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX.
About The Harris Poll & HarrisX
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.
HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.
Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com
SOURCE: Stagwell
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