Philip Bump, in an article for
The Washington Post, reports on the large segments of President Donald Trump’s base who connect with messages of crime spikes, illegal immigration, and reverse racism—the belief that white Americans are the targets of discrimination. Bump points to a
2015 PRRI poll indicating Trump voters were especially motivated by “reverse racism.” The survey found, “Roughly three-quarters (74 percent) of Trump supporters — compared to 57 percent of supporters of all other Republican candidates — agree that, today, discrimination against whites has become as big a problem as discrimination against blacks and other minorities.” Bump also highlights the gender disparity, pointing to Republicans like Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) and conservative commentator
Buck Sexton, who have framed accusations of assault against Kavanaugh as an attack on men. “Encapsulating his point, Bump says, “On Sunday, Fox News
released a new poll, conducted after Ford’s allegations emerged, that included a question about support for Kavanaugh’s nomination. Women oppose Kavanaugh’s nomination by a 21-point margin. Men support it by a five-point margin. White men support his nomination by a 10-point margin.”