The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that the influence of radical Islam in the United States is a cause for concern for a majority of voters, who oppose Muslims forming separate communities here.
The survey found 77% of Likely U.S. Voters are concerned about the influence of radical Islam in America, including 41% who are Very Concerned. Just 18% aren’t concerned about radical Islam.
The legislature in Texas passed a law last year intended to stop a 400-acre development near Plano which opponents had called an “Islamic compound” that intended to enforce “Sharia law.” Sixty-three percent (63%) of U.S. voters oppose Muslims establishing their own communities in the United States, including 49% who Strongly Oppose such communities. Only 23% support Muslims forming separate communities in America, while 15% are not sure.
Despite such concerns, just 35% say they would be less likely to support a candidate for office who is Muslim. Eight percent (8%) would be more likely to support a Muslim candidate, while 50% say it would not make much difference if a candidate for office is Muslim.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Republicans would be less likely to support a Muslim candidate for office, but that opinion is shared by just 20% of Democrats and 29% of voters not affiliated with either major party. Sixty-two percent (62%) of Democrats, 29% of Republicans and 60% of unaffiliated voters say it would not make much difference if a candidate for office is Muslim.
Majorities of every political category – 76% of Republicans, 53% of Democrats and 52% of unaffiliated voters – are at least somewhat concerned about the influence of radical Islam in the United States.
Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republicans, 54% of Democrats and 62% of unaffiliated voters are opposed to Muslims establishing their own communities in the United States.
More women voters (64%) than men (57%) are concerned about the influence of radical Islam in America.
More voters 50 and older say that a candidate being Muslim would make them less likely to vote for them. Those under 40 are less likely to be Very Concerned about the influence of radical Islam.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of whites, 53% of black voters, 59% of Hispanics and 52% of other minorities are at least somewhat concerned about the influence of radical Islam in the United States. Whites are most likely to Strongly Oppose Muslims establishing their own communities in America.
Breaking down the electorate by income categories, a majority of voters earning more than $100,000 a year Strongly Oppose Muslims establishing their own communities in the United States.
Eighty-one percent (81%) of those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election are at least somewhat concerned about the influence of radical Islam in the United States, but just 43% of Kamala Harris voters share that level of concern.
The survey of 1,145 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8 and 11, 2026 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. To see survey question wording, click here.
The survey found 77% of Likely U.S. Voters are concerned about the influence of radical Islam in America, including 41% who are Very Concerned. Just 18% aren’t concerned about radical Islam.
The legislature in Texas passed a law last year intended to stop a 400-acre development near Plano which opponents had called an “Islamic compound” that intended to enforce “Sharia law.” Sixty-three percent (63%) of U.S. voters oppose Muslims establishing their own communities in the United States, including 49% who Strongly Oppose such communities. Only 23% support Muslims forming separate communities in America, while 15% are not sure.
Despite such concerns, just 35% say they would be less likely to support a candidate for office who is Muslim. Eight percent (8%) would be more likely to support a Muslim candidate, while 50% say it would not make much difference if a candidate for office is Muslim.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Republicans would be less likely to support a Muslim candidate for office, but that opinion is shared by just 20% of Democrats and 29% of voters not affiliated with either major party. Sixty-two percent (62%) of Democrats, 29% of Republicans and 60% of unaffiliated voters say it would not make much difference if a candidate for office is Muslim.
Majorities of every political category – 76% of Republicans, 53% of Democrats and 52% of unaffiliated voters – are at least somewhat concerned about the influence of radical Islam in the United States.
Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republicans, 54% of Democrats and 62% of unaffiliated voters are opposed to Muslims establishing their own communities in the United States.
More women voters (64%) than men (57%) are concerned about the influence of radical Islam in America.
More voters 50 and older say that a candidate being Muslim would make them less likely to vote for them. Those under 40 are less likely to be Very Concerned about the influence of radical Islam.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of whites, 53% of black voters, 59% of Hispanics and 52% of other minorities are at least somewhat concerned about the influence of radical Islam in the United States. Whites are most likely to Strongly Oppose Muslims establishing their own communities in America.
Breaking down the electorate by income categories, a majority of voters earning more than $100,000 a year Strongly Oppose Muslims establishing their own communities in the United States.
Eighty-one percent (81%) of those who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election are at least somewhat concerned about the influence of radical Islam in the United States, but just 43% of Kamala Harris voters share that level of concern.
The survey of 1,145 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8 and 11, 2026 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. To see survey question wording, click here.
