A CNN data analyst observed that interest in the January 6 Capitol riot has greatly decreased, with just 5% of voters considering it the most significant event of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Polling data shows that the percentage of Americans who believe Trump should be ineligible for the presidency due to his role in the events of January 6 has dropped from 56% in 2021 to 47% in 2024.
Additionally, fewer people attribute significant responsibility for the violence to Trump, with only 37% considering him “greatly responsible” by December 2023.
As Trump prepares to take office, he has indicated plans to pardon many convicted for their involvement in the Capitol breach, while over 100 defendants have filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department for alleged political persecution.
“Part of the reason” why Trump won, Enten observed, was that “views on January 2021 have completely shifted.” The drop in nine points was “all the difference in the world, going from a majority to short of a majority. And of course, Donald Trump won the vast, vast, vast, vast, vast majority of the other 53% who did not believe his role on January 6th would make him ineligible for the presidency.”
“But it’s not just that,” he continued, “it’s that people, simply put, didn’t care as much about the attack on the Capitol.”
“As [J6] went into the rearview mirror, far fewer folks thought it was their number one memory,” Enten said.
