Americans' trust in federal government data plummets across elections, environment and foreign policy
A new AP-NORC/USA Facts poll shows a majority of U.S. adults now have little or no trust in federal government information on elections, foreign affairs and the environment.
An AP-NORC/USA Facts poll conducted late July to early August surveyed 1,036 U.S. adults and found that roughly 60 % have low confidence in federal government information on issues ranging from elections and climate change to foreign affairs and immigration. Trust levels have slipped since 2024 and are now lower than they were at the close of Donald Trump’s first presidency, a shift attributed to his recent efforts to shrink the bureaucracy.
Partisan divides have deepened: a majority of Democrats distrust government data on the federal budget and crime, while Republicans remain more trusting. Only 34 % of adults still trust official election certifications, down from 40 % in 2024, and many fear the administration could discredit results ahead of the 2026 midterms. Comments from respondents illustrate the erosion of confidence, citing inconsistent health guidance and controversial policy moves. The poll’s margin of error is ±4.1 percentage points overall.
