According to a recent Gallup poll released on Thursday, over 70% of Americans express skepticism toward mainstream media. The survey reveals that just 28% of the population feel a “great” or “fair amount” of trust in newspapers, television, and radio, believing they report the news fully and accurately. In contrast, 36% hold “not much” confidence, while 34% feel they have “nothing” at all.
This marks the first instance in the 50-year history of the poll that overall media trust has dropped below 30%, dipping from a previous record low of 31% noted in 2024.
Interestingly, trust levels vary along party lines. A mere 8% of Republicans now trust the media—a record low—as opposed to 51% of Democrats who reported some level of trust in the press. Meanwhile, independent voters remain steady at 27%, also a low point when compared to the previous year.
Older Americans, particularly those over 65, displayed the highest overall trust levels, yet even among this group, Republicans and independents reported low confidence at 17% and 42%, respectively.
Experts suggest that the media’s credibility crisis is contributing to a slow recovery for public trust. Megan Brennan, a senior editor at Gallup, notes that with growing divides in trust along partisan and generational lines, news organizations face the challenge of not only delivering fair and accurate reports but also rebuilding credibility with increasingly skeptical viewers.
Tim Graham, from the media watchdog site Newsbusters, indicates that the portrayal of the Trump administration by mainstream outlets plays a significant role in this decline in confidence. He argues that the coverage often employs partisan narratives and overlooks essential facts, which can only further alienate the public.
In summary, the poll underscores a persistent distrust in the media, reflecting broader issues within the relationship between news organizations and the American public.
