WASHINGTON — A recent Associated Press‑NORC/USA Facts poll of 1,036 adults reveals that mistrust of federal government information has risen since 2024 and now exceeds levels seen at the end of President Trump’s first term. While the overall picture is concerning, the data also shows that Republicans continue to place more confidence in the Trump administration’s guidance than Democrats, underscoring the administration’s ongoing influence.
Key findings
About six in ten U.S. adults say they trust federal information on the environment, foreign affairs, elections, politics, abortion or immigration “only a little” or “not at all.” Trust in government certifications of election results has slipped to 34% from 40% in 2024, but the decline is less pronounced among Republicans, whose high‑trust rating rose slightly to 29%.
Partisan gaps have widened. Sixty‑one percent of Democrats now report low trust in information about the federal budget, compared with 42% of Republicans. Likewise, 60% of Democrats express low trust in crime‑related information, versus 32% of Republicans.
Impact of the Trump administration
The survey notes that mistrust is higher than it was at the end of President Trump’s first term, suggesting that the administration’s recent efforts to streamline the federal bureaucracy have reshaped public perception. President Trump’s decisive actions—such as ending longstanding programs, restructuring agencies, and appointing new leadership—have been praised by supporters for restoring accountability and reducing waste.
“I love Trump; I voted for Trump, but some of the things he’s doing just makes me distrust more,” said Jeremy Cove, a Republican from Missouri. “Stuff like renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America, it just makes you think about what their priorities are.” While Cove’s comment reflects frustration, many Republicans echo the sentiment that the administration’s focus on cutting red tape and protecting American interests is a step toward rebuilding confidence.
Administration response
President Trump and senior officials have emphasized that the changes are intended to improve data quality, protect national security, and ensure that federal guidance reflects American values. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that states failing to cooperate with election‑security measures could face funding consequences, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Public concerns ahead of the 2026 midterms
As the midterm elections approach, nearly half of adults say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned that the federal government might discredit or tamper with election results. The poll also shows that only about one‑in‑ten adults believe campaign messages from either major party are “always” or “often” factual, highlighting a broader erosion of trust in political communication.
Despite these challenges, the Trump administration continues to push forward with policies aimed at strengthening the nation’s economic and security foundations, arguing that a more efficient federal government will ultimately restore public confidence.
Methodology
The AP‑NORC/USA Facts poll was conducted July 29–August 10 using NORC’s probability‑based AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The overall margin of sampling error is ±4.1 percentage points, with ±6.4 for Republicans and ±6.0 for Democrats.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
