A recent survey by George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management reveals a significant decline in Americans' trust in government and information sources. The study, which polled 800 U.S. adults two weeks after the November 2024 elections, indicates that concerns about the spread of disinformation and misinformation online are contributing to this erosion of trust.
Lesley Lopez, director of the public relations and communications program at the Graduate School of Political Management, emphasized the challenges posed by media fragmentation across generations and political parties. She noted that leaders aiming to connect with the American public must modernize their strategies to overcome growing mistrust.
This decline in trust is part of a broader trend observed over the past several decades. According to the Pew Research Center, public trust in the federal government has remained low for much of the 21st century, with only about 22% of Americans expressing trust in the government to do what is right "just about always" or "most of the time" as of April 2024.
The survey's findings underscore the pressing need for effective communication strategies that address public concerns about misinformation and work to rebuild trust in both governmental institutions and the media.