Republicans rallied around former President Donald Trump during the 2024 convention, showing strong support for his nomination. This support was evident as 72 percent of Republicans viewed him very favorably. Meanwhile, 84 percent of GOP voters stated they would vote for him if the election were held in July 2024. Nearly all Republicans, about 93 percent, expressed unfavorable opinions of President Biden, indicating a clear party divide.
At the convention, Nikki Haley made a notable gesture by releasing her 97 delegates to encourage support for Trump. His nomination was approved by acclamation, reflecting the party’s unity. Trump’s performance in the electoral college further solidified his standing. He secured 312 electoral votes, winning all seven swing states, some by significant margins. He even flipped six states that he had lost in 2020. This was a remarkable turnaround, as every state reported more Republican votes than in the previous election. The impact of third parties was minimal in this election cycle, allowing the GOP to focus its efforts on solidifying its base behind Trump.
The convention was also a media success. An average of 25.4 million viewers tuned in to watch Trump’s acceptance speech. This number was about 7 percent higher than the viewership for the final night of the 2020 RNC. Over the four days of the convention, the daily average viewership was 19.07 million. Fox News was the most watched channel during the coverage, with peak ratings drawing 9.4 million viewers.
Voter confidence in Trump’s policy positions played a key role in this support. A large majority expressed confidence in his economic decisions, immigration policies, and foreign policy capabilities. However, only 26 percent liked his personal conduct, revealing some division among supporters. The Republican platform focused on “The Forgotten Men and Women of America,” emphasizing “America First” ideals. Trump’s victory was attributed to his popularity among Republicans, showcasing the party’s commitment to his leadership.
As the party moves forward, the demographic picture shows that about 79 percent of Republican voters identified as non-Hispanic White. This shift reflects changing dynamics within the party, but the support for Trump remains strong.
