• Almost two-thirds of voters (65%) say it is more important to protect free speech than to prevent people from using overheated language.
  • Only 24% disagree, including 27% of Democrats.
  • Most Republicans (71%) and Democrats (59%) believe free speech should be protected.
• Almost half of registered voters (46%) think that President Donald Trump has used overheated language that might encourage some people to act violently.
  • This is down from 54% who said this in September 2024.
  • One in five (19%) of Republicans and almost three quarters (73%) of Democrats say Donald Trump has used that type of language.
• One third (33%) think the mainstream media uses overheated language, with 22% noting CNN and MSNBC, and 11% noting Fox News.
  • In September 2024, more voters had this sentiment when 35% said that CNN and MSNBC used overheated language, and 29% said that Fox News used it.
• Only 11% think that New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has used such language.
• A small percentage (3%) say that they use overheated language themselves, and 8% say that their close friends and family members use that language.

The most recent data cited is from a Napolitan News Service survey of 1,000 Registered Voters conducted online by Scott Rasmussen September 13-14, 2025. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1.