Joy Behar, co-host of The View, expressed her growing concern over the latest polling data that shows a tight race between Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
During a segment on Wednesday, Behar didn’t hold back her frustrations about the numbers, especially given Trump’s surprising strength in key battleground states and his rising popularity among Black and Latino men—demographics that have traditionally leaned toward the Democratic Party.
According to a report from the Daily Caller, Behar’s remarks came as recent polls reveal a dead heat between Trump and Harris in the national race. Polling data shows the two candidates neck-and-neck, with both holding a significant stake in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin—states that have often been the deciding factor in previous elections.
Behar’s unease was palpable as she discussed the unexpected strength of Trump’s candidacy. “I’m starting to worry about the polls because I see a lot of the media saying that he’s leading, and everybody’s getting nervous,” she admitted on air. For Behar, the media’s portrayal of the polling data felt like a strategic move aimed at demoralizing Democratic voters and discouraging those who might be leaning toward supporting Harris.
She continued, “But they’re doing that on purpose because basically it’s so disheartening for Democrats and people who are leaning toward Kamala to say, ‘What are you doing? Don’t buy into that.’ Don’t buy into that.” Her remarks reflect a growing anxiety among liberals as the 2024 presidential race tightens.
Despite Harris holding a narrow 1-point lead in some swing states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the margin is noticeably slimmer compared to the leads held by Democratic candidates in previous elections. Both Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020 polled higher at similar points in their campaigns. Yet, Trump has a history of outperforming polls, particularly in these critical battlegrounds.
In 2020, Biden narrowly won these states despite leading Trump by larger margins in pre-election polls. The close results surprised many pundits and laid the groundwork for Behar’s current apprehension. Trump’s ability to outperform expectations in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania makes Behar’s concerns seem more than just media-driven paranoia.
One of the key factors that seems to be driving Trump’s surge is his appeal to minority voters, especially Black and Latino men. According to polling analyst Harry Enten, only 41% of Black men aged 18-44 currently back Harris, a concerning figure for Democrats, who have historically relied on strong support from Black voters. Meanwhile, Trump’s support among this demographic has grown significantly, more than doubling from 7% in 2016 to 15% in 2024.
This shift is particularly noticeable in states like Arizona, where a recent poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University in early October found that Trump holds 51% of the Latino male vote among voters aged 18-34. The increasing support for Trump among minority men represents a major shift from previous elections and poses a unique challenge for Harris as she tries to maintain the Democratic Party’s traditional base of support.
Harris’s struggles aren’t limited to minority voters, though. Polls show that she has also seen a dip in support among white women, a demographic that played a significant role in Biden’s 2020 victory. In recent weeks, Trump has managed to pull ahead by 2 points in this group, another signal that he is making inroads with key voting blocs that could tip the scales in his favor come election day.
As Behar and other liberal commentators grapple with the implications of these polling trends, the numbers tell a story of a race that is far from over. Trump’s surge in popularity and his growing appeal among demographic groups that have historically favored Democrats is creating a new narrative for the 2024 election. It also serves as a reminder that polling data can be unpredictable, and elections can often defy the expectations set by early surveys.
Behar’s frustrations reflect a broader anxiety among Democrats, who are facing an uphill battle in key states and struggling to maintain their edge among core voter demographics. With the election still months away, there’s plenty of time for both campaigns to make their case to the American people. But for now, Trump’s numbers are climbing, and the unease on the left is becoming more visible.
As the 2024 election draws nearer, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both Trump and Harris have a lot to prove, and as the polls tighten, every vote will count. Whether Behar’s concerns are founded or premature remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—this election will be one for the history books.
