Donald Trump has faced his share of criticism about his comments on immigrants, Muslims, and women while on the campaign trail. Despite the controversies, his political star is shining brighter than ever. The New York Times took a closer look at the people who are backing him in the race to the White House to see just where they stand on the issues.
Specifically, the paper looked at the racial beliefs of the Republican front-runner's supporters. The deep dive into the numbers turned up one startling finding: nearly 20 percent of Trump's supporters did not approve of freeing slaves in the Confederacy.
A YouGov/Economist poll asked respondents if they approved or disapproved of "the executive order that freed all slaves in the states that were in rebellion against the federal government," better known as the Emancipation Proclamation.
Nearly one in five Trump supporters said they disapproved of it, while 17 percent weren't sure.
The Times also notes that 70 percent of Trump's supporters in South Carolina want the Confederate flag to fly once again at their statehouse.
Thirty-eight percent wish the South had won the Civil War.
About the Author