For a week leading up to the election, MIG Reports data on voter conversations using "nation" versus "country" shows a chasm between conservative and progressive perspectives. While seemingly interchangeable, these terms reveal nuanced divides in how Americans conceptualize identity, values, and the nation’s future.

A Hidden Red Vote?

This divergence in language illustrates the ideological divide in how conservatives and progressives perceive the essence of American identity.

• Conservatives use “nation” as a unified ideal to defend, while “country” serves as a metric by which to judge current policies and governance.
• Progressives invoke “country” in a forward-looking critique, advocating for systemic reform, and view “nation” as a shared moral landscape.

These linguistic choices show distinct value differences and contrasting visions for the future of America. The polarized discourse mirrors growing complexities in American political identity today.

America the “Nation”

Conservatives

• Conservatives frame their language around ideas of tradition, loyalty, and protection.
• They use "nation" as a call to defend a unified American identity and preserve foundational values.
• This perspective includes a tone of urgency, rallying to safeguard the “nation” from cultural or political shifts they see as threats.
• There’s a nostalgic or protective tone, where the “nation” symbolizes an America they believe in.
• Those on the right associate American identity as intrinsic and immutable.
• The word “nation” encapsulates pride and a duty to uphold the sovereignty of America’s founding, often with an implicit expectation of cultural continuity.

Progressives

• Those on the left typically use “nation,” to emphasize a shared moral responsibility rather than a national identity.
• It's used to invoke a cultural identity based on ideology rather than tied to a vision of America as a sovereign nation.
• For progressive, “nation” is a collective aspiration, one that leans toward diversity and equality, rather than geopolitical entity with a certain set of values.
• The progressive use of “nation” often implies targeted language about the people of America within a more globalist worldview.

American the “Country”

Conservatives

• For conservatives, "country" often symbolizes the physical and political entity of the United States—its borders, laws, and governance.
• When they discuss "country," it’s frequently in contexts of sovereignty, security, and economic self-sufficiency.
• The term ties accountability and critique of governance failures, especially threats to American stability, like immigration or foreign policy decisions.
• Conservatives use "country" when discussing what needs defending—a place whose integrity must be protected against the erosion of traditional values.
• The tone is frequently critical when discussing policies that, in their view, compromise national unity or economic vitality.

Progressives

• For progressives, "country" is not only a political or geographic entity—it represents social movement toward DEI and systemic reform.
• The term is often used to critique social and economic policies they feel fail to support marginalized groups or uphold social justice.
• In their discourse, "country" becomes a symbol of an unreached potential, or an America that should be reimagined to serve equity and inclusion.
• Progressives see "country" as a reflection of the nation’s moral and social responsibilities and use it to emphasize the need for systemic changes
• Unlike conservatives, who see it as something to safeguard, progressives speak of "country" in terms of what needs improvement from within.

Donald Trump’s popular vote win shocked many people, and online discussions are ablaze with opinions on what his victory represents. People wonder whether it signals a clear mandate for his leadership.

Sentiments are as complex as they are intense, revealing viewpoints of Trump as a figure of change, defiance against the establishment, and the embodiment of traditional American ideals.

Steve Bannon has a message; pic.twitter.com/pIni6FH0ZZ

— Anonymous Patriot (@0331online) November 6, 2024

Hope, Anxiety, and Defiance

Hope for a Renewed America

• Sentiment: 70% of Trump supporters are positive, expressing excitement and optimism. They say a popular vote win grants Trump a mandate to lead America back to prosperity, strength, and unity.
• Key Themes: This group talks about Trump’s potential to fulfill promises of national well-being. They want to “Make America Great Again,” emphasizing economic growth, strong borders, and traditional values.

Distrust of the Ruling Class

• Sentiment: 25% of discussions voice rejection of the existing political elite. For them, Trump’s victory is a rebuke of the ruling class, which they perceive as corrupt, self-serving, and disconnected from everyday Americans.
• Key Themes: Commenters use terms like “elites” and “out-of-touch politicians,” contrasting them with Trump’s outsider image. People say the establishment neglects and betrays its constituents, and Trump’s team is the antidote.

Fear and Dismay

• Sentiment: 60% of anti-Trump comments express alarm and anxiety, fearing a reversal of progress on social and economic issues. They say Trump’s victory is not just a political setback but a moral and societal regression.
• Key Themes: This group discusses the potential outcomes of a Trump administration, fearing for their rights and democracy itself. They express concern that a majority of Americans have embraced Trump’s image and promises.

Online Language

Religious and Battle Imagery

• Interpretation: Many on the right invoke religious and battle verbiage. Comments like “God has a plan” or “this is a battle for America’s soul” frame the election as having both political and moral consequences.
• Significance: This language suggests religious people see themselves as voters and participants in a higher mission. The election becomes a spiritual, existential choice, where support signifies alignment with a “righteous” path.

Inclusive and Exclusive Language

• Interpretation: Trump voters mostly use inclusive pronouns (“we,” “us”), crafting a narrative of unity among Americans who want change. They refer to the opposition as “the elites” or “the out-of-touch,” dividing citizens and the ruling class.
• Significance: There is a tribalistic tone in politics, where supporting Trump opt voters into a kind of national identity. This language can intensify polarization, where opponents view the unity cause as antithetical to their values.

Nostalgia and Moral Imperatives

• Interpretation: Americans want to return to a simpler, more authentic American identity. They talk about “freedom,” “prosperity,” and “American Dream,” evoking nostalgic imagery, framing a new administration as a new dawn.
• Significance: Many say this election isn’t only about policies but about reviving a lost culture and identity. This language carries a moral weight, making visions for the future part of a duty to uphold traditional American values.

Rejecting the Ruling Class

Americans see Trump’s popular vote win as a rejection of the political establishment. They criticize elites for their being detached from ordinary American. This sentiment is not limited to Trump’s ardent supporters, it resonates with Independents and swing voters who feel politicians on both sides have failed to represent the people’s interests.

Desire to Instill MAGA

Along with rejecting elites, there is a strong desire to instill MAGA ideals. Trump’s base ties his second administration to reviving core values like patriotism, economic opportunity, and personal freedom.

Many vies MAGA as a condensed moniker for their desire to re-embrace American values and rebuild a brighter future. This desire is coupled with a sense of urgency, as many suggest Trump has only a short time to restore the practical and thematic trajectory of the country.

Anti-Elite, Pro-America

The two forces—rejection of the ruling class and the MAGA ethos—are often intertwined. Approximately 15% of comments blend both sentiments. This suggests for many, Trump’s appeal stems from being an outsider and the embodiment of pro-America ideals.

Supporters view Trump as an opponent of the “corrupt establishment” and a catalyst for a cultural and political renaissance centered around MAGA values

Over the last three election cycles, trust in political polls has dramatically deteriorated. Polling inaccuracies and media reporting on potential outcomes are destroying confidence and eroding public trust. After multiple elections where predictive numbers majorly failed to capture American sentiments, many are saying they’re done with legacy institutions.

You are the media now

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2024

Americans discuss Elon Musk’s alliance with Trump and his decision to buy Twitter (now X) in 2022 as death blows to mainstream media. Discussions of news media lies being revealed through citizen journalism on X bolster sentiments that America is ready to discard legacy platforms.

Unsalvageable Distrust Among Americans

Voters have long voiced distrust toward the media and political polls, but Trump’s shocking blowout victory only confirms those sentiments. Many point to inaccurate poll projections as evidence of anti-Trump and anti-conservative bias from the establishment regime.

Many see problems both in flawed methodology and elite resentment toward average Americans. Some voters even suggest mainstream polling is manipulated or used as a rhetorical tool to favor establishment narratives.

There is a reason why educated people vote blue. What we’re seeing is the uneducated population of America holding the rest of the country hostage. This is why there’s such a push to weaken education, ban books, and outlaw the teaching of Black history by the Republican Party.

— Sueanna Smith, PhD (@SueannaSmith3) November 6, 2024

• Distrust of Accuracy: Around 37% of voters say "polling manipulation" is a primary concern, believing poll results are skewed to fit media or political agendas.
• Partisan Divide: Conservative and right-leaning voters are more likely to distrust polling data, while liberal-leaning voters show more confidence.
• Broken System: Roughly 55% of conservatives say polling inaccuracies reflect deeper issues in the election process.

The sentiment exists among traditional conservative demographics, but now also resonates among Independents who distrust poll numbers. Many suggest traditional polling techniques may no longer capture the complexities of an evolving electorate.

MIG Reports Data

Amid many wildly inaccurate traditional polls, MIG Reports data proves to be highly competitive in tracking sentiment and trends among online voters.

MIG Reports data on the morning of Election Day showed Trump winning all the competitive battle ground states except VA and MN.

As of this writing, NYT election results show:

• Wisconsin +.88 for Trump
• Virginia +5 for Harris
• Pennsylvania +2 for Trump
• Nevada +5 for Trump
• North Carolina +3 for Trump
• Minnesota +4 for Harris
• Michigan +1.6 for Trump
• Georgia +2 for Trump
• Arizona +5 for Trump

Themes Emerging from Public Reactions

Voter sentiment surrounding polling isn’t just about accuracy—it’s an indictment of outdated and inadequate methodologies that fail to evolve with culture and technology.

• Demand for Transparency: Voters want greater transparency in polling methods. They seek clear explanations of how sample groups are selected, what adjustments are made for turnout assumptions, and how error margins are communicated.
• Media Narratives: Many say the media’s heavy reliance on polls—especially when those polls inaccurately project outcomes—only fuels distrust. They say media framing particularly underplays conservative viewpoints, causing an information bubble that misleads voters.
• Growing Cynicism: More voters are saying this election marks a shift away from mainstream reporting and polling metrics toward independent analysis. Many express hope that legacy institutions like the news media and political consultants will face extinction before 2028.

Polling and Voting Security

Many view predictive polling inaccuracies as connected to worries about election integrity and the voting system itself. Right-leaning voters often point to polling errors as evidence the electoral process may be similarly flawed, particularly regarding voting security.

• Mail-in Voting: 40% of right leaning voters continue to express doubts about the authenticity of mail-in ballots, which they perceive as prone to manipulation.
• "Red Mirage": Some discuss the concept of the “Red Mirage,” where initial in-person voting leans right only for mail-in ballots to shift later shift results to Democrats. This reinforces their belief that mail-in voting lacks transparency and amplifies polling errors.
• Voter ID: Up to 70% of Americans support voter ID laws, seeing them as a safeguard for election security. The absence of such standards across states feeds into skepticism about the election system’s integrity.

Proposed Reforms

Given the ongoing erosion of trust in polling and news reporting, many are calling for concrete reforms.

• Polling Transparency: Voters want pollsters to provide detailed breakdowns of how samples are chosen, the assumptions behind turnout models, and the adjustments made to reflect historical voting patterns.
• Adapting Methodologies: The call for modernized polling methods is growing. Many voters believe polling organizations should explore new techniques, like online panels, that better capture the evolving nature of the electorate.
• Media Accountability: There is strong support for media outlets to emphasize the provisional nature of predictions—though many also call for the death of mainstream media altogether.