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Gallup: Media Trust Plummets to Record Low 28%

10/2/2025

42 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Mass media trust sits at 28% in a Gallup poll—the lowest on record.
Trust declined from 31% last year and 40% five years ago.
Partisan splits: 51% Democrats, 27% independents, 8% Republicans express confidence in media.
Supreme Court trust sits at 42% approval; 43% say it is too conservative, and judicial confidence splits by party (81% Republicans, 23% Democrats).

History

Historical Context

The Watergate scandal in 1974 significantly eroded public trust in government and media, leading to President Nixon's resignation. A Gallup poll revealed that only 36% of Americans trusted the media at that time. Today, trust has plummeted to 28%, reflecting deepening partisan divides and raising concerns about effective governance and democratic engagement in the United States.

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Story summary

Mass media trust sits at 28% in a Gallup poll—the lowest on record.
Trust declined from 31% last year and 40% five years ago.
Partisan splits: 51% Democrats, 27% independents, 8% Republicans express confidence in media.
Supreme Court trust sits at 42% approval; 43% say it is too conservative, and judicial confidence splits by party (81% Republicans, 23% Democrats).

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