Alex Rossell Hayes
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alxrh.bsky.social
Alex Rossell Hayes
@alxrh.bsky.social
110 followers 130 following 98 posts
Contestant, @jeopardyofficial.bsky.social
Senior Data Scientist, @today.yougov.com
Crossword Constructor, @lilavcx.bsky.social
Political Science PhD
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alxrh.bsky.social
Americans are more likely to disapprove of ICE after answering questions about ICE's treatment of citizens vs. questions about treatment of immigrants. That suggests news about ICE mistreating citizens could particularly weaken public support.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Americans who were asked about their evaluation of ICE after questions about ICE's treatment of U.S. citizens were 7 percentage points more likely to disapprove of ICE than those who had just seen questions about ICE's treatment of authorized immigrants (56% vs. 49%) and 5 percentage points less likely to approve (36% vs. 41%). This effect goes in the same direction among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. In all three groups, respondents who were first asked about ICE's treatment of citizens were between 5 and 7 percentage points more likely to disapprove of ICE than those who were first asked about authorized immigrants.
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Over half of Americans think ICE sometimes or often wrongfully arrests and deports citizens and authorized immigrants. Majorities say that ICE uses unnecessary force against citizens and immigrants regardless of their immigration status.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Majorities of Americans say that ICE sometimes or often arrests U.S. citizens (55%) and immigrants who are authorized to live in the U.S. (61%) who have not committed any immigration or customs violations. Far smaller shares of Americans think that ICE rarely or never wrongfully arrests U.S. citizens (31%) and authorized immigrants (29%). Large majorities of Democrats think ICE sometimes or often wrongfully arrests U.S. citizens (84%) and authorized immigrants (86%). Majorities of Independents say the same (58% about citizens and 68% about immigrants) but only small shares of Republicans do (24% and 29%). Majorities of Republicans think ICE rarely or never wrongfully arrests U.S. citizens (61%) or authorized immigrants (60%). About half (51%) of Americans say ICE sometimes or often deports U.S. citizens who have not committed any immigration or customs violations, and a majority (56%) say the same about authorized immigrants. Large majorities of Democrats say that ICE sometimes or often wrongfully deports U.S. citizens (78%) and authorized immigrants (87%). Majorities of Independents also say U.S. citizens (53%) and authorized immigrants (61%) are sometimes or often wrongfully deported but only small shares of Republicans do (23% and 22%). About two-thirds of Republicans say that U.S. citizens (64%) are rarely or never wrongfully deported and a similar proportion (67%) say the same about authorized immigrants. Majorities of Americans say that ICE sometimes or often uses unnecessary physical force in its interactions with U.S. citizens (59%), authorized immigrants (60%), and immigrants who are not authorized to live in the U.S. (64%). For each of these three groups, less than one-third of Americans say ICE rarely or never uses unnecessary force (30% against citizens, 29% against authorized immigrants, and 27% against unauthorized immigrants). Most Democrats and Independents think that ICE uses unnecessary physical force. For each of the three groups — citizens, authorized immigrants, and unauthorized immigrants — about 90% of Democrats, about two-thirds of Independents, and between about one-quarter and one-third of Republicans say ICE uses unnecessary force. Republicans are more likely to say that ICE rarely or never uses unnecessary force: 62% say unnecessary force is rarely used against citizens, 60% against authorized immigrants, and 56% against unauthorized immigrants.
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
A majority of Americans disapprove of ICE. More Americans approve of protests against ICE than disapprove of them. Why? Maybe because many Americans think ICE is too forceful and are worried ICE could mistreat someone they know.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...
A majority (53%) of Americans somewhat or strongly disapprove of how ICE is handling its job. Only 39% approve. Both Democrats and Independents are much more likely to disapprove than to approve of ICE (85% vs. 12% among Democrats and 62% vs. 25% among Independents). In contrast, Republicans overwhelmingly approve of the agency's job handling: 79% approve and 13% disapprove. Americans are more likely to somewhat or strongly approve than disapprove of protests against ICE actions (48% vs. 39%). Majorities of Democrats (76%) and Independents (55%) approve of protests against ICE actions, with small shares disapproving (12% of Democrats and 28% of Independents). Most Republicans disapprove of anti-ICE protests (76%, compared to 13% who approve). Half (52%) of Americans say that ICE's tactics are too forceful. Only 26% say that its tactics are about right and 11% say that they are not forceful enough. Majorities of both Democrats (86%) and Independents (60%) say that ICE's tactics are too forceful. But only 12% of Republicans think ICE is too forceful; 52% say ICE's tactics are about right. Those who think ICE's tactics are not forceful enough are in the minority in all three groups: 1% of Democrats, 8% of Independents, and 24% of Republicans. Nearly half (46%) of Americans are somewhat or very concerned that someone they know could be mistreated by ICE. That's roughly the same as the share who are not very or not at all concerned (47%). Three-quarters (75%) of Democrats are concerned that someone they know could be mistreated by ICE. Half (50%) of Independents are concerned as well, more than the 39% who are not very or not at all concerned. Only 16% of Republicans are concerned ICE could mistreat someone they know; most (78%) are not very or not at all concerned. Most Hispanic (72%) and Black (65%) Americans are concerned that someone they know could be mistreated by ICE. Concern among white Americans is less widespread (38%, vs. 57% who are not very or not at all concerned).
November 14, 2025 at 8:58 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Americans have net negative support for all potential U.S. actions against Venezuela that we asked about. More oppose than support attacking Venezuela's mainland, invading Venezuela, overthrowing Maduro, and covert CIA operations in Venezuela.

today.yougov.com/internationa... (@today.yougov.com)
Nearly half (47%) of Americans say they would strongly or somewhat oppose the U.S. military attacking and destroying targets on land in Venezuela. Only 19% say they would support such strikes. Democrats would overwhelmingly oppose such attacks (68%, vs. 9% who would support them). Independents are also more likely to oppose than to support strikes on land (46% vs. 13%). Republicans are more closely divided; more say they would support such strikes (38%) than oppose them (27%). A majority (55%) of Americans would oppose the U.S. invading Venezuela, while only 15% would support an invasion. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans all are more likely to oppose a military invasion of Venezuela than to support one. Majorities of Democrats (73%) and Independents (55%) would oppose an invasion. Only 7% of Democrats and 11% of Independents would support an invasion. Republicans are more closely divided: 38% would oppose an invasion while 28% would support one. Nearly half (46%) of Americans would oppose a military overthrow of Maduro, while only 18% would support it. As with an invasion, Democrats and Independents are much more likely to oppose the U.S. military overthrowing Maduro than to support it (60% vs. 10% among Democrats and 48% vs. 11% among Independents). Republicans, on the other hand, are slightly more likely to support than to oppose a U.S. military overthrow of Maduro (35% vs. 30%). More Americans oppose the CIA engaging in covert operations in Venezuela than support it (37% vs. 28%). As with attitudes about military involvement in Venezuela, Democrats and Independents are more likely to oppose covert CIA operations in Venezuela than to support them (53% vs. 17% among Democrats and 38% vs. 19% among Independents). In contrast, about half (49%) of Republicans support covert CIA operations in Venezuela; only 18% oppose them.
October 31, 2025 at 7:03 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
More Americans disapprove than approve of the U.S. Navy attacking and destroying ships in the sea around Venezuela. Disapproval is higher by a two-to-one margin among Independents.

today.yougov.com/internationa... (@today.yougov.com)
Only 27% of Americans say they approve of the U.S. military attacking and destroying ships in the sea around Venezuela. 42% disapprove. Most Democrats disapprove of the strikes: 67% disapprove while only 8% approve. And more Independents disapprove than approve (42% vs. 21%). On the other hand, a majority (55%) of Republicans approve of the strikes while 16% disapprove.
October 31, 2025 at 7:03 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
After a month of U.S. military attacks on ships, Americans' approval of the navy's presence around Venezuela has fallen. That movement has particularly come among Republicans.

New article with @taylororth.bsky.social at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/internationa...
Since September, when YouGov last polled Americans about military actions around Venezuela, support for the Navy's presence has declined. In September, Americans' views were about evenly divided: 36% strongly or somewhat approved of the naval deployment and 38% disapproved. Today, the share who approve has fallen to 30%, while the share who disapprove is little changed, at 37%. The greatest change in opinion has occurred among Republicans. While a majority of Republicans approve of the military presence around Venezuela, the share who say they approve has fallen to 58% from 68% in September. The share who disapprove has grown to 17% from 13%.
October 31, 2025 at 7:03 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
One more wrinkle: 1/3 of those who think there's a war or conflict in U.S. cities say the problem is caused by the government fighting against people. For many Americans, Trump sending troops to cities is the cause of conflict, not the solution.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Of the Americans who believe there is either war or conflict in U.S. cities one-third (33%) say the situation has mostly been caused by the government fighting against people. That's similar to the 37% who say the problem has mostly been caused by people fighting the government, and larger than the 23% who say the problem is mostly people fighting against each other. The share who blame the government is similar among Americans who say that in American cities there is a war (31%) and among those who say there is a conflict but no war (33%). Democrats who believe there is a war or conflict in U.S. cities are much more likely to blame the government (64%) than to blame people fighting against each other (14%) or against the government (20%). Independents are also more likely to think war or conflict has been caused by the government (39%) than by people fighting against each other (18%) or against the government (29%). On the other hand, about half (53%) of Republicans who believe there is a war or conflict say it has been caused by people fighting against the government and a further 34% say the problem has been caused by people fighting against each other. Only 7% say the government caused war or conflict in U.S. cities. Of Americans who believe there is a war or conflict in U.S. cities, those who live in cities (36%) and towns (39%) are more likely to say the problem was caused by the government than are those in suburbs (31%) and rural areas (27%). Conversely, those who live in rural areas are more likely than those in other areas to say war or conflict has been caused by people fighting against the government.
October 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
While 1/4 of Americans say there is a war in U.S. cities if you ask a yes-or-no question, that number shrinks if you offer more options. Only 11% say there's a war in U.S. cities if you give the option to say there's conflict but not a war.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
A September 30, 2025, YouGov poll found that about one-quarter (27%) of Americans say that there is currently a war happening in any U.S. cities. About half (52%) say there is not. Small shares of Democrats and Independents say there is a war in U.S. cities (19% of Democrats and 24% of Independents); majorities say there is not (64% of Democrats and 53% of Independents). But Republicans are almost evenly split: 37% say there is a war in U.S. cities and 39% say there is not. Americans who live in cities are least likely to say there is a war in any U.S. cities (23%, vs. 55% who say there is not). Americans who live in rural areas are most likely to say there is a war (31%), but this is still a smaller share than the 42% who say there is not. With a more expanded set of response options, an October 8 to 12, 2025, YouGov poll found that the share of Americans who say there is a war in any U.S. cities is 11%, compared to 27% according to the poll with the yes-or-no question. On the other hand, half (51%) of Americans say that there is a conflict but not a war in U.S. cities. Only 29% of Americans say there is neither a conflict nor a war in any U.S. cities, compared to 52% who say there is not a war according to the poll with the yes-or-no question. Nearly half (44%) of Democrats say there is neither a war nor conflict in U.S. cities, much higher than the shares of Independents (27%) and Republicans (17%) who say so. But members of all three groups are much more likely to say there is a conflict but no war than to say there is a war. Americans who live in cities are more likely to say there is neither war nor conflict (35%) than are those who live outside cities. City dwellers, suburbanites, town folk, and rural residents are all more likely to say there is a conflict but no war than to say there is a war in any city.
October 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
In my new article at @today.yougov.com, I break down some of America's spiciest debates. A statistical amuse bouche before you read more: Majorities of Americans say hot dogs aren't sandwiches, but hamburgers are. Most also say chili is stew and cole slaw is salad.

today.yougov.com/society/arti...
53% of Americans say a hot dog is not a sandwich, while 40% say it is. There's a generational divide on this question: While a majority (57%) of adults under 65 say a hot dog is not a sandwich and only 35% say it is, a majority of Americans 65 and older (54%) say it is and only 42% say it isn't. Majorities in the country's Northeast, Midwest, South, and West all say that hot dogs are not sandwiches. But Northeasterners are more united on this question than are Americans in other regions: 59% of Northeasterners say that hot dogs are not sandwiches while only 33% say they are. About three-quarters (73%) say that a hamburger is a sandwich, while only 23% say it is not. While majorities in all regions say that a hamburger is a sandwich, Americans in the Midwest (81%) and South (77%) are more united on this point than are those in the Northeast (62%) and West (68%). A majority (60%) of Americans say that chili is a stew. Only 18% say it is a soup, less than the 23% who say it is neither a soup nor a stew. About one-third (32%) of Midwesterners say that chili is a soup. That's less than the 49% of Midwesterners who say it's a stew, but it's more than double the share who say soup in any other region (13% in the Northeast, 15% in the South, and 11% in the West). Most Americans say cole slaw is a salad. Two-thirds (67%) of Americans say cole slaw is a salad, while only one-quarter (25%) say it is not. Older Americans are particularly likely to say cole slaw is a salad: 77% of Americans 65 and older say so, while about two-thirds (65%) of younger adults agree. Westerners are more likely to say cole slaw is a salad than Americans in other regions: 74% in the West say cole slaw is a salad, compared to 69% in the Northeast, 65% in the Midwest, and 64% in the South.
October 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
We get to the heart of the chili soup-stew debate in my new article @today.yougov.com.

Many more Americans say chili is a stew than say soup. There are regional differences, but Colorado and New England don't stand out: chili soupers are predominantly Midwestern.

today.yougov.com/society/arti...
A majority (60%) of Americans say that chili is a stew. Only 18% say it is a soup, less than the 23% who say it is neither a soup nor a stew. About one-third (32%) of Midwesterners say that chili is a soup. That's less than the 49% of Midwesterners who say it's a stew, but it's more than double the share who say soup in any other region (13% in the Northeast, 15% in the South, and 11% in the West).
October 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Last week, Trump said U.S. cities are war zones and the military needs to handle the "enemy from within". Most Americans see things differently. Only about a quarter think there's currently a war happening in any U.S. cities.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
About one-quarter (27%) of Americans say that there is currently a war happening in any U.S. cities. About half (52%) say there is not. Small shares of Democrats and Independents say there is a war in U.S. cities (19% of Democrats and 24% of Independents); majorities say there is not (64% of Democrats and 53% of Independents). But Republicans are almost evenly split: 37% say there is a war in U.S. cities and 39% say there is not.
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Hegseth criticized fat generals and bearded service members. Americans think fitness and appearance are important, but don't agree with those specifics. Only a minority think fat generals are a serious problem or that beards shouldn't be allowed.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
A majority (58%) of Americans say they are very important and 27% say they are somewhat important. Only 7% say they are not very important or not at all important. Republicans are more likely than Democrats or Independents to say it is important, but majorities of all three groups believe it is at least somewhat important. Americans are more likely to say that fat generals and admirals are a minor problem or not a problem (45%) than to say they are a somewhat or very serious problem (36%). A majority (65%) of Democrats say fat military leaders are not a major problem. Independents are also more likely to say this is not a major problem than to say it is a somewhat or very serious one (41% vs. 34%). On the other hand, a majority (55%) of Republicans say fat generals and admirals are a serious problem. Half (50%) of Americans believe that military service members should be allowed to have beards. Only 26% believe beards should not be allowed. Democrats and Independents are more likely to say beards should be allowed than to say they should not (66% vs. 14% among Democrats and 51% vs. 21% among Independents). Republicans are more evenly split, but more Republicans say beards should not be allowed than say they should (34% would allow beards and 42% would not allow them).
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Last week, Trump said he would increase military spending to $1 trillion per year. But very few Americans think military spending is currently too low. Americans are much more likely to say that military spending is already too high.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Only 11% of Americans think current U.S. military spending is too low. Instead, 30% say that military spending is about right and 39% say it is too high. Democrats and Independents are much more likely to say that military spending is too high (58% of Democrats and 44% of Independents) than to say it is too low (6% of Democrats and 10% of Independents). Republicans are much less likely than Democrats and Independents to say that military spending is too high (14%). But Republicans are only slightly more likely to say that military spending is too low (19%). About half (49%) of Republicans say that military spending is about right.
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Despite Trump and Hegseth using the secondary name "Department of War", most Americans prefer the department's official name, the Department of Defense. Majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans are all more likely to say Defense.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Americans are more likely to refer to the department as the Department of Defense than as the Department of War by a wide margin: 72% are more likely to use "Department of Defense" while only 18% are more likely to use "Department of War." While there are significant partisan differences, Department of Defense is the preferred term for majorities of Democrats (90%), Independents (72%), and Republicans (55%). Men are much more likely than women to use the term "Department of War," though this represents a minority of both groups (26% of men and 12% of women).
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Americans are more likely to approve of the jobs done by U.S. generals and admirals, the audience for Hegseth and Trump's meeting last week, than they are to approve of the way Hegseth and Trump are handling the military.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Half (50%) of Americans somewhat or strongly disapprove of Trump's handling of the military, while only 38% approve. Americans are also more likely to disapprove than approve of Hegseth's job handling (41% vs. 32%). In contrast, about half (48%) of Americans say they generally approve of how generals and admirals handle their jobs, while only 23% generally disapprove. Majorities of Democrats (89%) and Independents (57%) disapprove of Trump's handling of the military. Democrats are also more likely to disapprove than to approve of Hegseth's job handling. On the other hand, more Democrats and Independents say they generally approve of the job done by U.S. generals and admirals than say they generally disapprove. In contrast to Democrats and Independents, majorities of Republicans approve of the way Trump (83%), Hegseth (68%), and U.S. generals and admirals (63%) handle the military.
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
If a member of the military receives an order that they think is unconstitutional, most Americans say they should not follow the order. But Republicans are split on this question.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Majorities of Americans say that generals (59%) and enlisted service members (53%) should not follow orders if they believe they violate the constitution. Only 18% of Americans say generals should follow such orders, and 19% say the same of enlisted members. Majorities of Democrats and Independents say that generals and enlisted members of the military should not follow orders they believe are unconstitutional. Republicans, in contrast, are split. Republicans are about as likely to say that generals should not follow such orders than to say that they should (35% vs. 33%). Republicans are less likely to trust the consciences of enlisted members: 36% of Republicans say an enlisted member of the military should follow an order that they believe violates the constitution, while 29% say they should not.
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Hegseth and Trump defended firing generals who disagree with current policies, and threatened that more could be fired in the future. But most Americans think it's better to keep experienced generals, even if they disagree with current policy.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
We asked Americans if it is better for the military to keep the most experienced staff of generals, even if some disagree with current policies, or to fire generals who disagree with current policies, even if it means military leaders have less experience. About two-thirds (65%) of Americans say it is better to prioritize experience at the cost of policy disagreement. Only 15% say generals who disagree with current policies should be fired if it means leaders will have less experience. Majorities of Democrats (85%) and Independents (62%) say the military should focus on keeping the most experienced staff of generals. Republicans are also more likely to pick this option than to say that military leaders should be fired for policy disagreements (48% vs. 28%).
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
More Americans disapprove than approve of Trump and Hegseth summoning the generals to Virginia last week. Most don't think the meeting was a good use of spending and about half think it was a national security risk.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Americans are slightly more likely to disapprove of the decision to summon all U.S. generals and admirals to Virginia than to approve of it (39% somewhat or strongly disapprove vs. 34% who approve). This gap is much larger among Americans who say they have heard a lot about the meeting, a group that is disproportionately Democratic: 59% of Americans who have heard a lot about the meeting say they disapprove of it, while only 39% approve. In contrast, Americans who have heard a little or nothing at all about the meeting are roughly evenly divided. A majority of Democrats disapprove of summoning the generals (68% vs. 8% who approve). Independents are also more likely to disapprove than to approve (43% vs. 24%). In contrast, a majority of Republicans approve (7% disapprove vs. 70% who approve). Americans are about twice as likely to say that summoning the generals to Trump and Hegseth's meeting was a bad use of military spending than to say it was a good use (41% vs. 18%). A majority (59%) of Americans who have heard a lot about the meeting say it was a bad use of spending and 27% say it was a good use. Those who have heard a little or nothing at all about the meeting are also more likely to say it was a bad use of funds than a good one (45% vs. 22% of those who have heard a little and 26% vs. 8% of those who have heard nothing at all). About three-quarters (73%) of Democrats say the meeting was a bad use of spending. Independents are also more likely to say it was a bad use of funds than a good use (45% vs. 12%). Republicans are more likely to say it was a good use, though only a minority (40%) take this view. Few Republicans (6%) say it was a bad use, with the majority saying either that it was neither a good nor bad use (36%) or that they are not sure (18%). About half (52%) of Americans believe that summoning all U.S. generals and admirals to Virginia posed a major or moderate risk to national security. Only 23% believe it posed no risk. Majorities of Americans who have heard a lot (69%) or a little (56%) about the meeting believe it posed a national security risk. Those who have heard nothing about it are more likely to think it posed a risk than to think it did not (38% vs. 16%). A majority (76%) of Democrats believe the meeting posed a national security risk, as do half (50%) of Independents. Only 6% of Democrats and 19% of Independents believe it posed no risk. Republicans, on the other hand, are more likely to believe the meeting posed no risk (44%) than to believe it posed a major or moderate risk (32%).
October 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Outside the realm of social media, more Americans have unfavorable opinions of Trump than of Newsom. Americans are also more likely to say Trump does not focus on the most important issues. But many haven't made up their minds about Newsom.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
Trump and Newsom are each more likely to be viewed unfavorably by Americans than they are to be viewed favorably. However, unfavorable opinions of Trump are much more widespread than unfavorable opinions of Newsom. A majority (58%) of Americans have a somewhat or strongly unfavorable opinion of Trump, while only 39% have a somewhat or strongly favorable opinion. In contrast, opinions of Newsom are closer to evenly split: 42% of Americans view him unfavorably and 36% view him favorably. Only one-third (35%) of Americans say that Trump spends most of his time focused on the most important problems. Half (50%) say he mostly focuses on less important problems. Opinions of Newsom are evenly split: 32% say he mostly focuses on the most important issues and 32% say he mostly focuses on less important issues. 37% of Americans are not sure about Newsom's priorities, much larger than the 14% who are unsure about Trump's.
October 7, 2025 at 7:39 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Newsom's social media trolling hasn't turned Americans off as much as Trump's. More Americans view Trump's social media negatively and say Trump's posts are inappropriate. But that could just be because Americans see Trump's social media more.

today.yougov.com/politics/art... (@today.yougov.com)
More Americans express negative views of Trump's social media than of Newsom's. Half (49%) of Americans have a negative opinion of the content posted on social media by Trump, while only 29% say the same about Newsom. However, roughly equal shares of Americans have positive views of Trump's and Newsom's social media (28% vs. 29%). Newsom's social media strategy hasn't attracted nearly as many haters as Trump's, but it also hasn't attracted more fans. Half of Americans (50%) say that Trump's social media posts are usually or always inappropriate. Only 30% say they are usually or always appropriate. In contrast, Americans are more likely to say that Newsom's posts are appropriate than to say they are inappropriate (32% vs. 24%). However, nearly half (45%) say they are not sure whether Newsom's posts are appropriate or inappropriate.
October 7, 2025 at 7:39 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
How is Gavin Newsom's social media strategy working out? For starters, he has fewer followers than Trump, though most Americans don't follow either. His posts are seen less often than Trump's as well.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...
October 7, 2025 at 7:39 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Charlie Kirk coins? An annual Charlie Kirk Day? Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue? A Charlie Kirk statue on every college campus?
Those are real proposals made by state and federal lawmakers. Most Americans think they go too far.

New article at @today.yougov.com: today.yougov.com/politics/art...
ericans are more likely to support than to oppose government buildings flying flags at half mast after Kirk's death (47% vs. 38%). However, each of the other commemorative proposals draws more opposition than support. Majorities of Americans oppose commemorating Kirk by renaming portions of state highways (50%), holding a National Day of Remembrance in 2025 (51%), minting commemorative coins (58%), creating an annual holiday (60%), and requiring all Oklahoma state colleges to build a statue of him (66%).
October 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
I'm tickled pink to announce that player, my new R package, is now on CRAN! Kill time while your analysis scripts run with hangman, poker, 2048, and 7 other games! Plus, each game runs in the console, so it may look to the unsuspecting eye like you're actually working!

pkg.rossellhayes.com/player/
The hex sticker logo for the player R package. A video game controller with WASD and arrow keys from a keyboard in place of buttons, with the word "player" written across the center. A game of hangman being played in the R console. A game of 5-card draw video poker being played in the R console. A game of 2048 being played in the R console.
September 25, 2025 at 5:58 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
Americans increasingly see the government as a threat to freedom of speech rather than a protector of free speech rights. In 2022, 45% of Americans said that the government was the biggest threat to free speech. That number has now risen to a 60% majority.

today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Americans are now more likely to see the government as the greatest threat to free speech than they were in the past. In March 2022, only 45% of Americans agreed with the claim, while 22% disagreed. Agreement was higher just after Trump's inauguration in January 2025: at that point, 54% agreed that the government was the biggest threat to free speech while 25% disagreed. And agreement has continued to increase: Today, 60% of Americans say the government is the biggest threat to free speech and only 22% disagree.
September 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
alxrh.bsky.social
When asked which party does a better job at handling freedom of speech, Americans are more likely to pick the Democrats. Independents choose Democrats over Republicans by a nearly two-to-one margin (though many say there's no difference between the two parties).

today.yougov.com/politics/art...
Consistent with the majority disapproval of Trump's handling of free speech, more Americans say the Democrats are the better party at handling American's freedom of speech than say the Republicans are. 39% of Americans pick the Democrats while 31% pick the Republicans. Both Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly say their own party is better at handling free speech: 86% of Democrats select the Democrats and 76% of Republicans select the Republicans. But Independents are almost twice as likely to pick the Democrats than to pick the Republicans (30% vs. 17%). However, both shares are smaller than the 36% of Independents who say there is no difference between the two major parties when it comes to handling freedom of speech.
September 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM