RVI Report: “What was Trump Hiding?” – Rural and Small-Town Voter Perceptions of the Search at Mar-a-Lago

The Rural Voter Institute conducted a focus group in August exploring perceptions of the search at Mar-a-Lago recovering classified documents taken by former President Donald Trump as well as perceptions of the events of January 6. The Rural Voter Institute is publishing two reports, one focused on perceptions of the Mar-a-Lago search and one focused on January 6 and the ensuing Congressional hearings.  

Topline Findings on the Mar-a-Lago Search

Results of the seizure of classified documents from Mar-a-Lago matter. A majority of panelists, including Trump-Trump voters, said they would change their opinions of what happened at Mar-a-Lago depending on what was found there.

What was Trump hiding? One Trump-Trump voter explained that if the former president was guilty of hiding something, “Then he should be punished in a way that’s fair to everybody. Just because he’s the president doesn’t mean he should be elite and above suffering.” Democrats must drive the narrative, “What was Trump hiding?”

Be proactive about publicizing Trump’s lack of cooperation in turning over documents. The idea that Trump had already handed over all classified documents requested was evident in the group. Democrats must be prepared to expel this myth proactively as part of raising the narrative, “What was Trump hiding?”

Be prepared to take the case to the right-wing media ecosystem. Information matters, and the more information (mainstream news compared to the right-wing media ecosphere) voters received, the greater their reservations about Trump and his classified documents held at Mar-a-Lago. Democrats must be prepared to take the case to these voters on the platforms where they are consuming information.

For further findings and recommendations, download our report on the Mar-a-Lago search.