Americans See Government Corruption as Near-Universal, Even as Trump’s Business Ties Expand

Recent polling shows an unprecedented consensus that corruption permeates U.S. government. Gallup found that 89 % of respondents answered “yes” when asked whether corruption is widespread throughout the government. The University of Massachusetts at Amherst reported that 97 % believe some corruption exists, with 75 % saying it is “a great deal.” Support for the view is bipartisan: 83 % of Republicans, 91 % of Democrats, and 90 % of independents see corruption as widespread.

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Both surveys asked respondents to rank institutions by perceived corruption. 53 % listed the president as the most corrupt branch, while 18 % named Congress first and 41 % placed it second. A majority 77 % said the president should not profit from business ventures that could be affected by his policies. These figures place the United States above all other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nations in perceived corruption, according to Gallup’s ongoing 38-country study.

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President Donald Trump has promoted “Trump Accounts” in the Oval Office on July 6 2026, coinciding with his ringing of the NYSE and Nasdaq opening bells. His sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, highlighted a $1.5 billion partnership between World Liberty Financial and ALT5 Sigma by ringing the Nasdaq bell on August 13 2025. The family’s involvement in defense contracting and cryptocurrency ventures has drawn scrutiny, especially as Trump pushes a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget—an increase of nearly $500 billion in one year. Trump told the New York Times in January that “nobody cared,” suggesting he feels entitled to mix business and politics. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed questions about a mining deal benefiting his family and Trump’s as “silly” and a “waste of time.”

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Lawmakers have voiced bipartisan concern about stock trading by members of Congress and their families, but no concrete ban has been enacted. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, speaking on November 20 2025, noted the lack of commitment to prevent officials from cashing in on insider knowledge. Senate hearings, including a recent exchange between Trump and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have highlighted the tension between calls for investigations of well-timed oil market bets and the administration’s resistance.

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• “Is corruption widespread throughout the government in this country, or not?” — American, really — that 89% of Americans — American, really — that 89 % of Americans

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