CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024

Adults in the U.S.

Sample 989 Adults in the U.S.
Margin of Error ± 5.2 points

1. As you may know, a jury in New York City found Donald Trump guilty this week of falsifying business records to
hide "hush money" payments and influence the 2016 election. How closely have you been following news about
this?
Very closely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35%
Somewhat closely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33%
Not very closely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23%
Not at all closely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9%

2. Do you think the jury reached the right verdict or the wrong verdict in this case?
Right verdict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57%
Wrong verdict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43%

3. Which, if any, are reasons you think it was the wrong verdict?
Among those who think the jury reached the wrong verdict

Not a
Reason reason
The charges against Donald Trump were politically motivated 90% 10%
There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Donald Trump 81% 19%
The jury was biased against Donald Trump 87% 13%

4. How do you personally feel about Donald Trump being found guilty? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
Surprised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22%
Unsurprised . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39%
Angry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
Disappointed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34%
Sad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22%
Relieved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29%
Glad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31%
Hopeful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19%

5. Regardless of how you feel about the verdict, do you think Donald Trump got a fair trial or an unfair trial?
Fair trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56%
Unfair trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44%

6. Do you think the crimes that Donald Trump was convicted of in this case are:
Very serious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31%
Somewhat serious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29%
Not very serious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15%
Not at all serious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%

1
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.
7. From what you know, how do you think Donald Trump was treated throughout this trial, compared to most
other criminal defendants? Was he treated...
Better than most other defendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38%
Worse than most other defendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37%
About the same as most other defendants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24%

8. Has this case made you more confident or less confident in the U.S. justice system, or has it had no impact
either way?
More confident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27%
Less confident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40%
No impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33%

9. With Donald Trump now being convicted of a crime in this case, do you consider him fit to be president, or not?
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40%
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51%
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8%

10. Do you think that Donald Trump should serve time in prison for his conviction in this case?
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38%
No . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45%
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17%

11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump has responded to the verdict in this case?
Approve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33%
Disapprove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38%
Not sure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29%

12. For you, how important is it for Republicans to be loyal to Donald Trump now?
Very important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35%
Somewhat important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14%
Not too important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12%
Not at all important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39%

2
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

1. Following Trump NYC Trial Verdict

As you may know, a jury in New York City found Donald Trump guilty this week of falsifying business records to hide "hush money" payments and influence
the 2016 election. How closely have you been following news about this?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Very closely 35% 43% 27% 22% 40% 51%

Somewhat closely 33% 33% 33% 33% 35% 29%
Not very closely 23% 18% 29% 30% 20% 16%
Not at all closely 9% 6% 11% 15% 5% 4%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (979) (479) (500) (421) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Very closely 35% 38% 31% 42% 39% 26%

Somewhat closely 33% 30% 38% 31% 35% 28%
Not very closely 23% 16% 24% 22% 19% 32%
Not at all closely 9% 16% 6% 5% 6% 14%
Totals 100% 100% 99% 100% 99% 100%
Weighted N (979) (296) (322) (299) (652) (326)

1
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

2. Right or Wrong Verdict

Do you think the jury reached the right verdict or the wrong verdict in this case?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Right verdict 57% 56% 59% 66% 50% 51%

Wrong verdict 43% 44% 41% 34% 50% 49%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (963) (473) (490) (404) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Right verdict 57% 96% 56% 18% 52% 68%

Wrong verdict 43% 4% 44% 82% 48% 32%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (963) (297) (318) (295) (644) (319)

2
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

3A. Reasons the Verdict was Wrong — The charges against Donald Trump were politically motivated
Which, if any, are reasons you think it was the wrong verdict?
Among those who think the jury reached the wrong verdict

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Reason 90% 93% 86% ∗ 94% 97%

Not a reason 10% 7% 14% ∗ 6% 3%
Totals 100% 100% 100% ∗ 100% 100%
Weighted N (408) (210) (198) (133) (162) (113)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Reason 90% ∗ 87% 96% 94% ∗

Not a reason 10% ∗ 13% 4% 6% ∗
Totals 100% ∗ 100% 100% 100% ∗
Weighted N (408) (12) (139) (239) (307) (101)

3
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

3B. Reasons the Verdict was Wrong — There wasn’t enough evidence to convict Donald Trump
Which, if any, are reasons you think it was the wrong verdict?
Among those who think the jury reached the wrong verdict

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Reason 81% 91% 69% ∗ 86% 90%

Not a reason 19% 9% 31% ∗ 14% 10%
Totals 100% 100% 100% ∗ 100% 100%
Weighted N (399) (207) (191) (132) (154) (113)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Reason 81% ∗ 84% 80% 81% ∗

Not a reason 19% ∗ 16% 20% 19% ∗
Totals 100% ∗ 100% 100% 100% ∗
Weighted N (399) (12) (136) (237) (300) (98)

4
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

3C. Reasons the Verdict was Wrong — The jury was biased against Donald Trump
Which, if any, are reasons you think it was the wrong verdict?
Among those who think the jury reached the wrong verdict

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Reason 87% 91% 83% ∗ 93% 94%

Not a reason 13% 9% 17% ∗ 7% 6%
Totals 100% 100% 100% ∗ 100% 100%
Weighted N (392) (206) (185) (128) (150) (113)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Reason 87% ∗ 86% 91% 92% ∗

Not a reason 13% ∗ 14% 9% 8% ∗
Totals 100% ∗ 100% 100% 100% ∗
Weighted N (392) (12) (132) (236) (295) (97)

5
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

4. Feel about Guilty Verdict

How do you personally feel about Donald Trump being found guilty? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Surprised 22% 23% 21% 28% 19% 17%

Unsurprised 39% 40% 38% 41% 36% 38%
Angry 25% 28% 23% 17% 28% 35%
Disappointed 34% 36% 31% 25% 38% 43%
Sad 22% 24% 21% 14% 24% 34%
Relieved 29% 29% 29% 27% 30% 29%
Glad 31% 26% 35% 32% 29% 29%
Hopeful 19% 19% 19% 21% 21% 12%
Weighted N (971) (479) (492) (412) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Surprised 22% 32% 20% 15% 21% 25%

Unsurprised 39% 21% 51% 43% 38% 39%
Angry 25% 4% 25% 48% 28% 19%
Disappointed 34% 7% 33% 63% 38% 25%
Sad 22% 6% 25% 38% 23% 21%
Relieved 29% 60% 21% 9% 27% 32%
Glad 31% 62% 24% 7% 31% 31%
Hopeful 19% 37% 18% 4% 21% 16%
Weighted N (971) (297) (322) (297) (650) (321)

6
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

5. Fair or Unfair Trial

Regardless of how you feel about the verdict, do you think Donald Trump got a fair trial or an unfair trial?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Fair trial 56% 53% 59% 65% 49% 51%

Unfair trial 44% 47% 41% 35% 51% 49%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (479) (488) (408) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Fair trial 56% 96% 54% 14% 48% 72%

Unfair trial 44% 4% 46% 86% 52% 28%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (297) (318) (297) (645) (321)

7
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

6. Seriousness of Crimes
Do you think the crimes that Donald Trump was convicted of in this case are:

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Very serious 31% 22% 40% 32% 28% 35%

Somewhat serious 29% 31% 27% 42% 21% 16%
Not very serious 15% 15% 15% 14% 18% 13%
Not at all serious 25% 32% 18% 12% 33% 36%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (971) (479) (492) (412) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Very serious 31% 56% 28% 10% 27% 39%

Somewhat serious 29% 42% 26% 15% 25% 36%
Not very serious 15% 1% 18% 24% 16% 13%
Not at all serious 25% 1% 27% 51% 32% 12%
Totals 100% 100% 99% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (971) (296) (322) (297) (650) (321)

8
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

7. Trump’s Treatment as a Defendant

From what you know, how do you think Donald Trump was treated throughout this trial, compared to most other criminal defendants? Was he treated...

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Better than most other defendants 38% 38% 39% 41% 37% 36%
Worse than most other defendants 37% 42% 33% 27% 46% 43%
About the same as most other defendants 24% 20% 28% 32% 17% 21%
Totals 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (479) (488) (407) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Better than most other defendants 38% 67% 42% 8% 35% 46%
Worse than most other defendants 37% 5% 39% 71% 42% 27%
About the same as most other defendants 24% 28% 19% 21% 23% 27%
Totals 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (297) (318) (297) (646) (321)

9
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

8. Confidence in U.S. Justice System

Has this case made you more confident or less confident in the U.S. justice system, or has it had no impact either way?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

More confident 27% 27% 27% 28% 24% 30%

Less confident 40% 46% 35% 29% 46% 52%
No impact 33% 27% 38% 43% 30% 18%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (479) (488) (408) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

More confident 27% 57% 19% 6% 24% 33%

Less confident 40% 9% 38% 74% 46% 28%
No impact 33% 34% 43% 20% 29% 39%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100%
Weighted N (966) (297) (318) (297) (646) (321)

10
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

9. Trump Fit to Be President

With Donald Trump now being convicted of a crime in this case, do you consider him fit to be president, or not?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Yes 40% 46% 35% 29% 51% 46%

No 51% 49% 54% 58% 46% 47%
Not sure 8% 5% 11% 13% 3% 7%
Totals 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (971) (479) (492) (412) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Yes 40% 2% 39% 81% 47% 28%

No 51% 94% 50% 10% 46% 62%
Not sure 8% 4% 11% 9% 7% 10%
Totals 99% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (971) (297) (322) (297) (650) (321)

11
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

10. Prison Sentence

Do you think that Donald Trump should serve time in prison for his conviction in this case?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Yes 38% 38% 38% 46% 32% 31%

No 45% 50% 40% 30% 56% 57%
Not sure 17% 12% 22% 24% 12% 12%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (970) (479) (491) (411) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Yes 38% 75% 34% 6% 33% 48%

No 45% 7% 48% 82% 52% 30%
Not sure 17% 18% 17% 12% 14% 22%
Totals 100% 100% 99% 100% 99% 100%
Weighted N (970) (296) (322) (296) (649) (321)

12
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

11. Trump Response to Verdict

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump has responded to the verdict in this case?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Approve 33% 41% 25% 24% 37% 42%

Disapprove 38% 35% 41% 36% 39% 41%
Not sure 29% 24% 34% 40% 24% 17%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (479) (487) (408) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Approve 33% 6% 32% 66% 39% 22%

Disapprove 38% 73% 37% 8% 35% 45%
Not sure 29% 21% 31% 26% 26% 33%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (966) (296) (318) (297) (645) (321)

13
CBS News Poll – May 30-June 1, 2024
Adults in the U.S.

12. Loyalty to Trump

For you, how important is it for Republicans to be loyal to Donald Trump now?

Gender Age
Total Male Female 18-44 45-64 65+

Very important 35% 39% 31% 22% 43% 47%

Somewhat important 14% 13% 14% 20% 9% 8%
Not too important 12% 10% 15% 16% 10% 10%
Not at all important 39% 38% 40% 42% 37% 35%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 99% 100%
Weighted N (971) (479) (492) (412) (325) (233)

Party ID Race
Total Dem Ind Rep White Not White

Very important 35% 5% 31% 72% 43% 19%

Somewhat important 14% 10% 15% 13% 9% 22%
Not too important 12% 18% 12% 7% 11% 16%
Not at all important 39% 67% 42% 8% 37% 43%
Totals 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Weighted N (971) (296) (322) (297) (650) (321)

14
 HOW THE POLL WAS CONDUCTED AND THE
MARGIN OF ERROR CALCULATED

This CBS News/YouGov survey is based on a nationally representative sample of 989 U.S. adults
who were recontacted between May 30-June 1, 2024, after the conclusion of Donald Trump’s
criminal trial in New York City, following an initial survey of 1,402 adults conducted on May
14-21, 2024, before a verdict was reached. The recontact rate was 71%.
The sample of recontacted respondents was weighted to account for differential response rate
from the national sample according to gender, age, race, and education based upon the U.S.
Census American Community Survey, and the U.S. Census Current Population Survey, as well as
Presidential vote and partisan identification. The weights range from 0.5 to 6.4, with a mean of
1 and a standard deviation of 1.3.
The margin of error (a 95% confidence interval) for a sample percentage p based upon the
recontacted sample is approximately ± 5.2 points. It is calculated using the formula
s
1 + CV2
p̂ ± 100 ×
n

where CV is the coefficient of variation of the sample weights and n is the sample size used
to compute the proportion. This is a measure of sampling error (the average of all estimates
obtained using the same sample selection and weighting procedures repeatedly). The sample
estimate should differ from its expected value by less than margin of error in 95 percent of
all samples. It does not reflect non-sampling errors, including potential selection bias in panel
participation or in response to a particular survey.