More than two-thirds of supporters for President Donald Trump's re-election effort say they will not put 2020 campaign signs up in their yards over fears their homes will be vandalized.
The Granite State Poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, of nearly 1,000 residents explored whether a "spiral of silence" is skewing polling outlooks as a result of Trump supporters being too afraid to publicly express their support for the president. The survey found 68 percent of Trump backers will not place any type of "MAGA" or "Trump 2020" sign in their yards because they are worried their homes may be vandalized. Meanwhile, 65 percent of Trump supporter respondents said they won't place any pro-Trump campaign stickers or signs on their car out of concern it will be vandalized. The survey parallels multiple reports across New Hampshire from homeowners alleging vandalism and the theft of pro-Trump yard signs.
Additionally, the poll found 45 percent of Trump supporters said they don't talk to friends or co-workers about their presidential pick in the upcoming November 3 election, out of concern it could alienate those around them.
The Union Leader newspaper reported Friday that ominous letters have been showing up on the doorsteps of Milford and Brookline residents warning them: "You have been identified by our group as being a Trump supporter." The letters were dispersed on the property of people who put up Trump re-election yard signs. The U.S. Postal Inspector is helping local police investigate the allegedly threatening letters.
"Always remember that it was 'you' that started the Civil War," reads the letter. "Be prepared to face the severe consequences of your pre-emptive actions against democracy."
Nearly 70 percent of women who support Trump said they won't talk about their approval of the president to anyone out of concerns they may alienate those closest in their lives. Forty-two percent of Trump supporters said they decline to discuss their support for the president in front of family members.
Trump supporters were nearly twice as likely as Biden backers to say they won't place "MAGA" or "Trump 2020" signs up out of concern their homes or cars will be vandalized in retaliation. Trump supporters are 21 percent more likely to say they are hiding their support for the president compared to supporters of former Vice President Joe Biden.
Trump supporters are 25 percent more likely than Biden supporters to refuse discussion of their candidate preference in front of friends and co-workers. While nearly one-half of Trump supporters said they are reluctant to broach the topic in public, compared to 20 percent of Biden supporters. Only 9 percent of Biden supporters said they won't bring up their support of the former vice president out of concern it could alienate their families.
Fewer than one-third of Biden supporters—30 percent—said they won't place a Biden campaign sign in their front yard over fears vandals may retaliate against their property. Nearly half of Biden supporters said they "strongly disagree" that they would ever avoid talking politics with friends and co-workers. Thirty-eight percent of Biden supporters said they will not put a bumper sticker on their car because they are worried their vehicle would be vandalized, with 16 percent of this group "strongly" holding that belief.
Thirty-four percent of New Hampshire residents said that a majority of the people they know closely are voting for Trump, while just a slightly smaller share—32 percent—said most people they know are backing Biden. Twenty-six percent said their friends are evenly split in terms of who they are supporting. The poll was entitled, "Silent Voters? Many Trump Supporters Feel Need to Hide Their Support."
Newsweek reached out to both the Trump and Bien campaigns for reaction Saturday morning.
