Donald Trump’s latest controversial statement came during Wednesday night’s debate with Hillary Clinton, when he refused to say whether he would accept the election results if he loses next month.

After widespread backlash, Trump acknowledged he would accept the results of the election the following day (“if I win”).

In recent months, Trump has been defiant, saying the presidential election is “rigged” against him because of alleged voter fraud, a biased media and various other entities.

A new survey from Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling finds that Trump’s supporters believe his claims. A poll of Trump’s supporters in Florida showed 75% of respondents believe the election will be rigged if Clinton wins. Only 15% said if Clinton wins, it will be because she got more votes.

“That’s quite a big difference compared to what we’ve seen in the past,” said pollster Tom Jensen. “In the past, we’ve seen some questions about the validity of elections. But not this many people saying before we have the election, they think it’s going to be rigged.”

Tom Jensen spoke last week with WCHL’s Aaron Keck.

 

Real Clear Politics’ polling aggregate gives Clinton a 2.7% lead over Trump in North Carolina. RCP has showed Clinton leading Trump in North Carolina since October 3rd.

As of Friday afternoon, Nate Silver’s Project 538 had Clinton with an 86% chance of winning.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see how Trump ends up reacting to what’s starting to look like an inevitable loss,’ said Jensen. “To a large extent, Trump’s supporters will take their lead from him. If he keeps beating this drum, there’s going to be a lot of debate after the election.”

Every election is unique in its own way, but this year’s presidential campaign may take the cake. Public Policy Polling has had its numbers thrust into the national spotlight throughout the year, and has been on the receiving end from bribery allegations and conspiracy theories from critics.

“We’re used to getting a lot of criticism for our polls,” said Jensen. “Frankly, this year, there’s been ignorant criticism in a way that we haven’t seen in the past. One thing that a lot of Donald Trump supporters will get mad at us about is they say that our polls are unfair because they didn’t get to participate in them, which obviously shows a lack of random sampling.”

Other barbs have been more colorful. Jensen says PPP has been accused of being bought off by the Clinton Foundation or Hungarian-American business magnate George Soros.

“We’re always used to having some level of that,” said Jensen. “But there’s been a higher degree this year. You just have to have a sense of humor about it so you don’t go crazy.”