Reuters/Ipsos Data: Conflict of Interest
Washington, DC — Americans are wary of government officials financially benefiting from their position, but nearly half don’t care if Donald Trump benefits from the presidency (46%). When asked about government officials, rather than specific people, almost two thirds believe they should be forbidden from benefiting from their government position (61%). Yet, for Donald Trump, only 44% believe he should be forbidden from financially benefitting. Americans are less open to Paul Ryan or Chuck Schumer benefitting from their positions in the House and Senate. Almost half believe both should be forbidden from financially benefitting (Ryan 45%, Schumer 48%).
In an experiment on the impact of referencing Trump in survey questions, Americans were more likely to agree that the government should take care of everybody and pay for healthcare when the question did not name Trump (52%). When asked the same question, but instead beginning by saying President Donald Trump had said it, only 42% agreed. However, on a variety of statements, including “President Donald Trump” in the question wording didn’t significantly impact answer choices. Those include whether the media is intentionally ignoring reports of terrorist attacks around the world (45% of Americans agreed to both versions) and if the US should increase taxes on imported goods (Trump version was 1 percentage point lower).
About the Study
These are findings from multiple Ipsos polls. The Conflict of Interest poll was conducted February 1 – March 10, 2017. For the survey, a sample of roughly 3,703 adults from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 1,537 Democrats, 1,442 Republicans and 449 Independents. Agreement with Trump – Section 1 was conducted February 16 – March 15, 2017. For the survey, a sample of roughly 4,986 adults from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 2,084 Democrats, 1,867 Republicans and 626 Independents. Agreement with Trump – Section 2 was conducted March 7 – 15, 2017. For the survey, a sample of roughly 1,386 adults from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 586 Democrats, 524 Republicans, and 172 Independents.
The sample for this study was randomly drawn from Ipsos’s online panel (see link below for more info on “Access Panels and Recruitment”), partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling (see link below for more info on the Ipsos “Ampario Overview” sample method) and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2016 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, region, race/ethnicity and income.
Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the Conflict of Interest poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.0 percentage points for all respondents (see link below for more info on Ipsos online polling “Credibility Intervals”). The Group 1 Poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 1.6 and the Group 2 Poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.0. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). Conflict of Interest Poll had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=3,266, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=3.5). Group 1 Poll had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=4,986, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=3.1) and Group 2 Poll had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=1,386, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=4.5).
The Conflict of Interest poll also has a credibility interval plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for Democrats, plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for Republicans, and plus or minus 5.3 percentage points for Independents. The Group 1 Poll poll also has a credibility interval plus or minus 2.4 percentage points for Democrats, plus or minus 2.6 percentage points for Republicans, and plus or minus 4.5 percentage points for Independents. The Group 2 Poll poll also has a credibility interval plus or minus 4.6 percentage points for Democrats, plus or minus 4.9 percentage points for Republicans, and plus or minus 8.5 percentage points for Independents (see link below for more info on Ipsos online polling “Credibility Intervals”).
For more information about conducting research intended for public release or Ipsos’ online polling methodology, please visit our Public Opinion Polling and Communication page where you can download our brochure, see our public release protocol, or contact us.
For more information about this news release, please contact:
Chris Jackson,
Vice President, U.S.,
Ipsos Public Affairs,
+1 202 420-2025
[email protected]
About Ipsos Public Affairs
Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.
Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.
With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,782.7 million in 2016.
