Donald Trump’s inexorable march to the 2024 Republican presidential nomination has sparked plenty of second-guessing

The post 5 Reasons Why Trump’s Republican Opponents Were Never Going To Beat Him appeared first on Study Finds.

WASHINGTON — Artificial intelligence could supercharge online disinformation campaigns, thanks to its unnerving power of persuasion, a new study warns. Researchers in Washington found that propaganda written by AI can be just as convincing to the average American as real propaganda created by human propagandists. The study, conducted by scientists at Stanford University and Georgetown…

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WASHINGTON — With the infamous “Doomsday Clock” only 90 seconds away from midnight, polls continue to show that an overwhelming number of Americans distrust the federal government to save them in a global emergency. Those misgivings are unlikely to fade after the release of an unnerving report saying President Joe Biden’s memory “was significantly limited.”…

The post Doomsday inevitable? Majority have no faith in government, aging politicians to save them appeared first on Study Finds.

WASHINGTON — Is hiring the most qualified candidate unfair? It can be, depending on what side of the political divide you fall. Researchers with the American Psychological Association have found that both liberals and conservatives are likely to question the fairness of merit-based hiring when informed about the impacts of socioeconomic disparities. This research indicates a…

The post Is Hiring Qualified Job Candidates Unfair? Conservatives & Liberals Actually Agree On Meritocracy appeared first on Study Finds.

A Taylor Swift endorsement is perhaps less important in and of itself than Donald Trump’s response to a Swift endorsement of Biden.

The post Taylor Swift is the new GOP antihero. So what would happen if she endorsed Biden? appeared first on Study Finds.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As U.S. politics continue to heat up ahead of the 2024 presidential election, researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are offering a peek into the struggles of American couples with opposing political viewpoints. American politics have been extremely polarizing for quite some time now. Republicans and Democrats, whether it be on…

The post Love vs. Politics: How News Coverage Triggers Fights in Divided Couples appeared first on Study Finds.

BOULDER, Colo. — Former President Donald Trump isn’t the only one who has heaped praise on Russian leader Vladimir Putin. An international research team is providing a comprehensive view of the support Putin receives from several neighboring countries. Researchers say the reason this controversial figure is still so popular comes down to his machismo and authoritarian…

The post Why is Vladimir Putin so popular in Russia’s neighboring countries? appeared first on Study Finds.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — It’s not just cable news that’s polarizing America. A study by Penn State researchers suggests that social media influencers might play a role in shaping the current political landscape. Researchers have crafted a model to understand how these influencers impact political parties, voters, and traditional media outlets, shedding light on how election…

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‘Human rights are likely to significantly decline in the near future.’ KINGSTON, R.I. — A dire new report reveals the United States has received a near-failing grade when it comes to human rights. The report, conducted by the Global Rights Project (GRIP), sheds light on the state of human rights practices worldwide, presenting a stark reality…

The post U.S. receives a ‘D’ on human rights report card appeared first on Study Finds.

KONSTANZ, Germany — Any athlete will attest that heading out on the road and playing games in front of a rival team’s fans can be tough. However, new findings out of Germany suggest that some basketball players have faced hostile crowds at home as well. Researchers report that during the 2020-2021 NBA season — coinciding with…

The post Immigrant NBA players struggled playing in far-right regions during Trump’s re-election bid appeared first on Study Finds.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — The political divide seemingly gets worse every day and a recent study points the finger at cable news networks. Virginia Tech researchers say that national news giants CNN and Fox News don’t just mirror the rising political polarization in America — their increasingly partisan broadcasts are deepening the divide, especially in the digital…

The post CNN and Fox News are deepening the political divide, AI study claims appeared first on Study Finds.

When former President Bill Clinton showed up at the White House in early 2023, he was there to join President Joe Biden to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act. It was hard to avoid the fact that it had been three decades since Clinton was in office – yet at…

The post Election Day 2023: Why are U.S. politicians so old? And why do they want to stay in office? appeared first on Study Finds.

As trial dates approach for former President Donald Trump’s indictments, both he and prosecutors are already claiming it will be hard to secure an impartial jury. Special counsel Jack Smith has said Trump’s public statements risk contaminating the jury pool for the charges he will face in a federal court in Washington, D.C., related to…

The post Donald Trump in court: Do unbiased jurors exist in the age of social media? appeared first on Study Finds.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Mandatory civics tests in 18 states, which prioritize memorization of political facts, have not achieved the desired rise in youth voter participation. Instead, researchers from the Penn State College of Education say a better strategy would be practical instruction on the voter registration process in social studies classes. “Providing students opportunities to…

The post No, civics tests don’t get more young voters to the polls appeared first on Study Finds.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — We often judge situations or behaviors as wrong, such as seeing an adult treat a child poorly or someone cutting into a long line. While these judgments highlight moral issues, the debate has been long-standing: do all moral judgments share a common thread? Researchers from the University of California-Santa Barbara examined…

The post Brain activity reveals differences in moral judgments between liberals and conservatives appeared first on Study Finds.

CHICAGO — U.S. politics continue to be a chaotic subject, and a new poll finds the majority of Americans are rapidly losing faith in their country’s leaders. From the ousting of the Speaker of the House to the mounting controversies engulfing the current president and his predecessor, over seven in 10 people say there’s no one…

The post American Apocalypse? 71% Don’t Trust U.S. Government To Prevent Doomsday appeared first on Study Finds.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the current era of extreme political polarization, it turns out that those expressing the most negative views aren’t staunch Republicans or Democrats — they’re independents. Researchers from The Ohio State University found that individuals without strong political affiliations often frame their preferences in terms of opposition rather than support. The findings,…

The post Independents can’t stand anyone! Voters without a party driven by negativity appeared first on Study Finds.

BOSTON — A growing number of doctors who treat transgender and gender-diverse teenagers are increasingly fearful for their own safety and their ability to offer specialized care, according to a new study. These concerns are rising as divisive politics and legislation aim to ban medical treatments meant to assist young people in transitioning to the…

The post Doctors treating transgender teens fear for their lives amid political divide, report reveals appeared first on Study Finds.

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Constitution was a collaborative effort undertaken by many of America’s Founding Fathers. James Madison played an especially crucial role in drafting the supreme law of the U.S., and as such is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” One can’t help but wonder what President Madison would think about the…

The post Constitutional confusion: Survey reveals Americans woefully uninformed about their own rights appeared first on Study Finds.

PULLMAN, Wash. — Who your state votes for in an election may depend on how good your local mail service is. It’s hard to find a unifying trend across the entire country come Election Day, but researchers from Washington State University report both red and blue states see increased voter turnout when the mail is…

The post Who wins in 2024? That could depend on the U.S. Postal Service’s efficiency appeared first on Study Finds.

Working in a library now requires staff to learn how to plan for safety — and legally protect themselves too Despite misconceptions and stereotypes – ranging from what librarians Gretchen Keer and Andrew Carlos have described as the “middle-aged, bun-wearing, comfortably shod, shushing librarian” to the “sexy librarian … and the hipster or tattooed librarian” – library…

The post How book-banning campaigns have changed the lives and education of librarians appeared first on Study Finds.

President Joe Biden was “fine,” according to White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt, after tripping over a sandbag at a U.S. Air Force graduation ceremony on June 1, 2023. But his fall was caught on live camera – and people on social media speculated about what was behind it. Biden, approaching his 81st birthday in November…

The post There’s no age limit for politicians − as people live longer, should that change? appeared first on Study Finds.

HOUSTON — Remember when a single scandal was enough to sink a politician’s career? Well, times appear to be changing. Researchers from the University of Houston find that scandals just don’t carry the weight they used to with voters. “Scandals don’t hit like they used to,” says Brandon Rottinghaus, a professor of political science at the…

The post Do scandals matter anymore? Study finds major controversies barely impact today’s politicians appeared first on Study Finds.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — American politics have taken a distinctly discourteous turn over the past decade or so. However, this isn’t just an American phenomenon. Depending on your point of view, somewhat comforting (or concerning) research by a team from Michigan State University reports that political animosity is a global problem. Simply put, people all over…

The post It’s not just America — Political animosity is boiling over all around the world appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW YORK — Ultra-processed foods like hot dogs, candies, and fruit-flavored beverages are some of the unhealthiest items on the menu. These types of foods have a link to a host of health issues ranging from obesity to cancer. Now, concerning new research by a team from New York University reveals there are woefully few federal…

The post Omitting junk food? U.S. nutritional policies barely mention ultra-processed foods appeared first on Study Finds.

NORWICH, United Kingdom — Nowadays, it’s tough to spend more than a few minutes on social media without crossing digital paths with at least one conspiracy theory of some kind. Fascinating new research out of the United Kingdom examined the prevailing popularity of conspiracies in today’s culture, and the ensuing findings suggest many modern conspiracy theories…

The post Diverse social interactions ease fear of the unknown, lowers belief in conspiracy theories appeared first on Study Finds.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — From facial features to mannerisms, children are reflections of their parents in many ways. Now, new research out of Florida reports adolescents often pick up voting habits and political outlooks from their moms and dads as well. Scientists at Florida Atlantic University report political apathy among parents predicted increases in political…

The post Political apathy: Parents may be passing down disinterest in voting to their kids appeared first on Study Finds.

Joe Biden, “together with a band of his closest thugs, misfits and Marxists, tried to destroy American democracy.” This is what Donald Trump said to his supporters hours after pleading not guilty in federal court in June 2023 to his mishandling of classified documents. The indictment of a former president was shocking, but Trump’s words…

The post ‘Idiots,’ ‘criminals’ and ‘scum’ – nasty politics highest in U.S. since the Civil War appeared first on Study Finds.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Democracy appears to work best when you keep things simple, a new study suggests. Many have theorized that more names on the ballet, or candidates to choose from, can be a benefit come Election Day. However, researchers from the University of Florida say that may not be true after all. Andrew Janusz,…

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Lawyer Thomas A. Durkin has spent much of his career working in national security law, representing clients in a variety of national security and domestic terrorism matters. Joseph Ferguson was a national security prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where Durkin was also a prosecutor. Both teach national security…

The post ‘If you want to die in jail, keep talking’: National security law experts offer Trump advice after indictment appeared first on Study Finds.

Federal prosecutors on June 9, 2023, unsealed the indictment that spells out the government’s case against former President Donald J. Trump, who is accused of violating national security laws and obstructing justice. The 49-page document details how Trump kept classified government documents – including papers concerning U.S. nuclear capabilities – scattered in boxes across his…

The post Law prof: Here’s why Trump would likely face little to no jail time even if convicted on all charges appeared first on Study Finds.

Former President Donald Trump’s indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami includes at least one charge under the Espionage Act of 1917, according to Trump’s attorney and reports in The New York Times. The Espionage Act has historically been employed most often by law-and-order conservatives. But the biggest uptick in its use occurred during…

The post What is the Espionage Act? Here’s why Donald Trump is being charged under this century-old law appeared first on Study Finds.

Could organizations use artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT to induce voters to behave in specific ways? Sen. Josh Hawley asked OpenAI CEO Sam Altman this question in a May 16, 2023, U.S. Senate hearing on artificial intelligence. Altman replied that he was indeed concerned that some people might use language models to manipulate,…

The post How AI could take over elections – and undermine democracy appeared first on Study Finds.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Extremist groups on both ends of the political spectrum have become a real concern in the U.S. in recent years. One concern is that military veterans may favor these radical positions. Now, despite fears that it could be higher, new research reports that support for extremism is not growing among military…

The post Do military veterans support extremist groups more than the average American? appeared first on Study Finds.

California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein recently returned to the Senate after an almost three-month absence that – because she could not vote remotely and the Senate is closely divided – left the Democrats’ agenda in limbo. Feinstein turns 90 in June and can barely walk on her own, and her mental acuity has been in…

The post Prof: Dianne Feinstein’s dubious interview underscores why politicians should be open about health appeared first on Study Finds.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The protection of planet Earth shouldn’t be a political issue, but the debate surrounding climate change often seems to break down along party lines. It’s no secret that conservatives are generally less likely to adopt a “green” attitude, but new research shows that it will be even more difficult than many might…

The post How do you get conservatives to care about climate change? Study finds it’s not easy appeared first on Study Finds.

LUCCA, Italy — Does your willingness to help others depend on your political leanings? New research out of Italy finds those on the right end of the political spectrum are more conservative when it comes to generosity and altruism. Researchers report left-leaning people all over the world are more inclined to be altruistic, both in…

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Donald Trump’s impending court case marks an historic moment in U.S. politics. He will be the first former president of the United States to face criminal charges and trial by a jury. He and his supporters are already calling the case a political maneuver designed to reduce his chances in the 2024 presidential election. The…

The post Could Donald Trump’s indictment *improve* his 2024 chances? Data suggests it’s certainly possible appeared first on Study Finds.

A Manhattan grand jury has voted to indict former President Donald Trump. The specific state felony charges, reports The New York Times, “remain a mystery” but will be related to the Manhattan district attorney’s investigation of Trump for making hush money payments to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election. It’s the first…

The post Donald Trump indictment: Charges won’t keep him from presidential race, but will make reelection bid much harder appeared first on Study Finds.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, wants a “national divorce.” In her view, another Civil War is inevitable unless red and blue states form separate countries. She has plenty of company on the right, where a host of others – 52% of Trump voters, Donald Trump himself and prominent Texas Republicans – have endorsed…

The post Secession not just ‘what if’ anymore: States, cities and the wealthy are already withdrawing from America appeared first on Study Finds.

WASHINGTON — Fake news is a constant problem in modern society, with misinformation spreading like wildfire through various social media platforms. While some may think it’s all a plot by powerful sources to influence the public narrative on certain issues, a new study finds a different reason for why fake news spreads. Researchers looking at thousands…

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden — This year’s Democracy Report from the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem Institute) at the University of Gothenburg reveals that for the first time in two decades there are currently more closed autocracies than liberal democracies operating around the world. These findings are anything but positive, but researchers say there is good news too…

The post The world is drifting toward authoritarianism — but it’s not all bad news appeared first on Study Finds.

Former Republican South Carolina Governor and United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley launched her bid for president recently in a video that began by describing the racial division that marked her small hometown of Bamberg, South Carolina. Meanwhile, another presumptive GOP candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, has continued his crusade against “woke ideology,” most recently on a…

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The U.S. faces far more threats to its national security than from spy balloons or classified documents discovered in former and current presidents’ homes. About 50 million more threats every year. That’s the estimated number of records annually classified as confidential, secret or top secret by the U.S. government. The U.S. has an overclassification problem, which,…

The post Overclassification overkill: U.S. government is drowning in a sea of secrets appeared first on Study Finds.

There’s nothing new about presidents avoiding the press. Bill Clinton was in a major scandal – based in large part on getting caught in a deception during a media interview – and successfully outsourced his White House press briefings to legal counsel to avoid having his press secretary or himself trapped by tough media questioning. Barack Obama…

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We love to dive into history just as much as the next history buff. There have been 46 presidents in U.S. history, each with their own unique strengths, weaknesses and legacies. Some have been revered as great leaders and visionaries (President Woodrow Wilson comes to mind when he signed the act creating the National Park…

The post Best U.S. Presidents: Top 5 Commanders-In-Chief, According To Experts  appeared first on Study Finds.

TORONTO, Ontario — Name-calling and vitriol have become disturbingly commonplace in U.S. political discourse, but are people really listening or just enjoying the spectacle? Interesting new findings by a team at the University of Toronto reveal that many voters can’t help but tune out when politicians “take the low road.” “The results are pretty clear,”…

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GOTHENBURG, Sweden — Does American politics have an age problem? Researchers in Sweden say the United States is in danger of alienating younger adults who see their elected officials getting older and older every year. Despite making up half of the world’s population, people under the age of 30 lack government representation from people of…

The post Are politicians too old? American democracy failing under aging leaders, study argues appeared first on Study Finds.

HANOVER, N.H. — When American democracy appears to falter, the entire world takes notice. Researchers at Dartmouth College have found that foreign interference in U.S. elections can erode faith in the United States as a reliable and trustworthy ally abroad. More specifically, study authors point to Russia’s suspected interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election as…

The post Leader of the free world no more? When U.S. democracy falters, our allies lose faith appeared first on Study Finds.

PRINCETON, N.J. — As the new U.S. Congress battles over new issues in 2023, the old issues of 2022 are still creating headaches. A new study finds that a tax credit in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which incentivizes the creation of clean energy, actually does more harm than good. Researchers at Princeton University say…

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