Poll: 6 in 10 Americans Avoid Trump News Due to Fatigue

A new Media Insight Project poll finds that about six in 10 Americans try to avoid news about President Donald Trump.

The survey shows 31% of respondents often actively avoid Trump news stories, while 32% say they sometimes skip them. By contrast, 18% rarely avoid such stories, and 17% never do.

Partisan differences exist. Among Republicans, 33% occasionally skip Trump-focused news, and 17% often avoid it. Among Democrats and independents, 38% often steer clear.

The poll also reveals that 57% avoid news about national politics in general. Respondents face a steady stream of negative developments, including the war in Iran, another presidential assassination attempt, soaring gas prices, government shutdowns, rising health care premiums and the indictment of the former FBI director.

Trump figures in many stories, from the demise of Spirit Airlines to Saudi Arabia's LIV golf. He has dominated American politics for more than a decade with attacks on the media, law firms, universities and a retribution campaign. That includes the indictment he engineered against James Comey over a seashell picture, the first version of which courts threw out. Trump also demanded Jimmy Kimmel's firing and said he was glad Robert Mueller had died.

He ramps up attacks on figures like Ilhan Omar or Pope Leo to shape the news agenda. Trump filed successful lawsuits against CBS and ABC. He has accused individual journalists and outlets of treason and sedition, prompting responses that extend coverage.

Trump launched this approach in 2016. Many have grown numb to the blasts. The poll reflects news fatigue amid mostly bad developments. Most Americans worry more about rising food prices. Millions dropped health insurance after Trump and Congress refused to extend Obamacare subsidies.

High interest persists in the war, even from former conservative allies who now apologize for backing Trump. But people want a break from the overload.