Poll: Four in Five Republicans Agree Moon is Part of Mars
On May 13, 2019, Donald Trump tweeted: “Under my Administration, we are restoring @NASA to greatness and we are going back to the Moon.” This was in accordance with “Space Policy Directive 1,” which Trump signed back on December 11, 2017, calling it “a first step in returning American astronauts to the Moon for the first time since 1972, for long-term exploration and use.”
Today, Neil Cavuto on Fox Business implicitly criticized Trump’s description of NASA’s goals, opining: “Didn’t we do this moon thing quite a few decades ago?” About an hour later, Trump publicly reversed course, tweeting: “NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago.” Trump also criticized the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, asserting that NASA should instead focus on “Mars (of which the Moon is a part).”
The White House later explained that Trump probably meant to refer to NASA’s long-term “Moon to Mars” plan, which involves establishing a base on the Moon that can serve as a gateway from which to launch future missions to Mars more easily. Polls, however, show that Trump’s base has rejected this ex post facto explanation, instead accepting Trump’s declaration at face value.
“Is the Moon a part of Mars?”
Honoring the Unwavering Majority Opinions of Republicans, a conservative-leaning think tank, just released the results of its informal telephone poll. The organization canvassed 3,114 voting-age U.S. citizens, referring them to Trump’s tweet and then posing the question: “Is the Moon a part of Mars?” Responses varied according to demographic.
1,401 self-identified Democrats:
1.7% (24) responded “Yes”
97.9% (1,371) responded “No”
0.4% (6) responded “Don’t Know/Decline to Answer”
446 self-identified Independents
0.0% (0) responded “Yes”
99.6% (444) responded “
0.04% (2) responded “Don’t Know/Decline to Answer”
1,267 self-identified Republicans:
79.6% (1,009) responded “Yes”
18.9% (240) responded “No”
1.4% (18) responded “Don’t Know/Decline to Answer”
Respondents were given an option to volunteer additional comments.
Marjorie Scopes (55) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina: “I never really thought about it before, but I believe Mr. Trump.”
Walter Fiddleston (72) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama: “I always knew we couldn’t trust NASA! Thank God for Trump! It’s about time someone had the guts to stand up to the system and tell us the truth!”
Jean Pismire (93) of Pensacola, Florida: “I like it much better this way!”
Wallace Vuspin (88) of Starkville, Mississippi: “I fought in the Korean War. I’m a loyal American. Trump is a true patriot, and anyone who crosses him is a traitor.”
Norman Bloom (66) of Kennesaw, Georgia: “Who are you gonna believe, a God-fearing man like Mr. Trump or a bunch of lousy scientists?”
John Barron (51) of New York City, New York: “Donald Trump is the smartest, most successful, and most honest president the United States has ever had. When he says something, you can count on it.”
Tronald Dump (72) of Washington, D.C.: “FAKE NEWS!”
