Gen Z is re-examining America’s once-settled historical figures

Members of Generation Z are questioning the traditional portrayals of leaders like McCarthy, Nixon, Bush and Jackson, treating their legacies as open cases rather than settled history.

Generation Z is actively reassessing the reputations of historic figures—including Joseph McCarthy, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush and Andrew Jackson—challenging the versions taught in textbooks and reinforced by long-standing media. The trend stems from a wider erosion of trust in institutions; surveys show confidence in higher education fell from 57 % in 2015 to 36 % in 2024, and many students fear voicing right-wing views on campus.

The pandemic amplified this distrust, as young people witnessed rapid policy reversals and the publication of Anthony Fauci’s private diary, highlighting the gap between public certainty and private doubt. Consequently, they are more willing to support controversial contemporary leaders like Donald Trump and to follow independent reporters such as Nick Shirley. While the re-evaluation does not automatically exonerate these past leaders, it signals a shift toward a more investigative, case-file approach to history, diminishing the authority of traditional gatekeepers.