Has the election made you ‘unfriend’ someone over politics?

Is it too much to “unfriend” someone over a political disagreement?

The 2016 presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has proven deeply polarizing as Americans debate who is the best/worst candidate to be president of the United States along with a host of other issues and candidates on what is a crowded ballot in many parts of the country, including California.

Some people are already so fed up with the discussion on social media that they are “unfriending” people on Facebook or “blocking” them on Twitter. There have been numerous examples of people cutting ties with relatives, friends and colleagues. In one interview with NPR affiliate WFSU, a number of Trump supporters said they’ve been shunned by their Facebook contacts this election because of their views. 

“Just disagreeing with my comments or my viewpoints,” 55-year-old Air Force veteran Tony Super told WFSU. “That’s alright with me. I’m one to speak my mind and my viewpoint and if people are living in a fantasy world or something and don’t see the truth that’s out there, so be it.”

One 22-year-old Florida State University student said she’s seen multiple posts saying “if you support Donald Trump, please unfriend me on Facebook,” and others have shared similar experiences on Twitter.

Search the term “unfriend” on Twitter and Facebook and you’ll find numerous examples.

How bad is the problem, though?

A Monmouth University poll found two-thirds of people surveyed said the 2016 election has brought out the worst in people, but only 7 percent reported having “lost or ended a friendship” due to a disagreement in the race. The election, of course, isn’t over for another week and a half, so there’s time yet for the problem to get worse.

About 47 percent of Clinton supporters said in a Pew Research survey that they have no close friends supporting Trump, and 31 percent of Trump supporters said they have no Clinton-supporting friends. For the most part, Trump and Clinton supporters are friends with others who back their candidate, the report said.

Of course, a disagreement over a political candidate isn’t the only reason why people “unfriend” each other in an election season. Racially charged topics and disparaging comments about women have also led to people cutting ties with social media friends and followers.

Have you unfriended anyone or been unfriended because of your political views? Share your experiences with us on Twitter at @sdutIdeas or on our Facebook Page.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez