Trump beware: US voters are concerned about government corruption
Alleged self-dealing by the president and his allies doesn’t look so good as corruption emerges as a key issue for midterm voters Government corruption a top issue for US midterm voters, exclusive poll finds Voters under 50 probably won’t remember the “welfare queen”. But she once embodied Republicans’ claim of the underlying reason for US societal decay: the poor are a bunch of fraudsters. Ronald Reagan introduced…
Key points
- A Harris poll for the Guardian found government corruption is the second most important issue for US midterm voters.
- Eighty-seven percent of poll respondents said corruption was a problem, more than those worried about AI or immigration.
- The article lists alleged self-dealing by Trump, his family and allies, which the White House denies.
Government corruption has become a leading concern for US voters ahead of the midterm elections, according to an October Harris poll conducted for the Guardian. The poll found corruption was the second most important issue for voters, behind only the rising cost of living. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said corruption was a problem, a larger share than those worried about AI or immigration.
The analysis contrasts the Trump administration's focus on fraud in social programs with allegations of self-dealing by the president, his family and his allies. It cites the administration's claims of fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and in Obamacare coverage, and Trump's proposal of a commission for people who report fraud.
What voters said
According to the Harris poll, voters are more concerned about elected officials putting their own or their donors' financial interests ahead of the public than about people obtaining health insurance improperly. Sixty-five percent of voters planning to vote in the midterms consider corruption a major problem.
The article notes that the US ranked 29th on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index last year, down from 18th in 2016.
There are people out there who decide to commit fraud against these programs who, quite literally in this case, will steal from the mouths of hungry children in order to enrich themselves.
— JD Vance
Allegations and denials
The article cites a list compiled by Democratic congresswoman Rosa DeLauro of ways Trump is said to enrich himself, his family and his allies while in office. Examples include a luxury jet gifted by the Qatari government and pardons granted to people who donated to Trump's political operations.
The White House denies that the Trump family has engaged in conflicts of interest and denies granting pardons or clemency in exchange for political donations.
