By the hundreds of thousands, supporters of former President Donald Trump have embraced a veneer of so-called patriotism to defend the GOP's years-long turn to the far-right.
They've lambasted Black football players for kneeling during the National Anthem in peaceful protest. They've called to send Americans of color "back" to their countries. Many even stormed the United States Capitol in a deadly failed insurrection, beating police officers, calling for the murder of elected officials, and threatening to prevent the peaceful transfer of power that's been a defining factor in the United States' longevity—all in the name of what they believe to be patriotism.
But a shocking new poll from University of Virginia's Center for Politics has found that 52 percent of Trump supporters at least somewhat believe red states should secede from the United States of America.
The number of President Joe Biden's supporters who believe blue states should secede from red states is less,but still shockingly high, at 41 percent—an indication of the growing divide between Republicans and Democrats in recent decades.
The study also found that roughly 20 percent of both Biden and Trump voters believe the country would be better off if a President "could take needed actions without being constrained by Congress or courts."
Though red states still have a wealth of dedicated Democratic voters—whose ballots are often offset by partisan gerrymandering—many responded that red states wouldn't be able to function without the revenue generated by blue states.
Others downplayed the findings of the poll.
Thankfully, secession remains highly unlikely.
