Americans’ Trust in News: A Shift in Dynamics
A new Pew Research Center survey reveals an intriguing trend: Americans are now more inclined to trust information from news organizations and social media than they were last year. This noticeable shift, particularly amongst Republicans, coincides with the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, leading to questions about the underlying factors influencing public confidence in media sources.
The Context of the Survey
Since 2016, the Pew Research Center has been diligently tracking Americans’ trust in national and local news outlets as well as social media platforms. With a mission to understand evolving perspectives on the news, this survey captures valuable insights into public confidence. The latest data collection, conducted from March 10 to 16, 2025, included 9,482 U.S. adults, selected through random sampling methods that encourage diverse participation.
Participants, drawn from the Center’s American Trends Panel, represent a cross-section of the U.S. adult population. Interviews were conducted via online platforms or telephone calls with live interviewers. This methodological rigor ensures that the findings reflect a comprehensive view of American attitudes, accounting for factors like gender, race, and political affiliation.
Survey Findings: Trust Among Republicans
One of the standout revelations from the survey is the burgeoning trust among Republicans regarding national news organizations. As of now, 53% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents express at least some level of trust in national news outlets—a significant 13 percentage point increase from September 2024. This increase is particularly noteworthy given that trust among Republicans had been on a downward trend over the previous years.
Trust in local news has also seen a bump, with 75% of Republicans now expressing confidence in local outlets, up from 66%. Similarly, trust in social media has risen to 45%, a steady increase from just 19% in 2021. This gradual rise indicates a shifting perception of social media, which had previously suffered from skepticism.
A Comparative Analysis: Republicans vs. Democrats
Despite the uptick in Republican trust across various media platforms, a notable disparity remains when comparing their views to those of Democrats. About 81% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents now say they trust information from national news outlets—far above Republican confidence levels. This consistency in Democratic trust reflects a broader stabilization of beliefs in national media over the past decade.
Local news outlets retain higher trust levels among Democrats as well, with an impressive 87% expressing at least some trust. On the contrary, Republicans are more likely to trust social media than their Democratic counterparts, where only 38% claim to have some faith in the information sourced from these platforms.
Trust Among Conservatives
Among Republican circles, the survey reveals a nuanced picture: conservative Republicans are less likely to trust information from national news organizations compared to their moderate or liberal counterparts. Only 49% of self-described conservative Republicans trust national media, while 61% of moderates and liberals express confidence. Despite these ideological divides, trust has notably increased across the board among Republicans, showcasing a complex evolution of media perceptions.
Age-Based Trust Trends
The age dynamics concerning trust in media sources present additional insights. Across various age groups, a slight rise in trust has been observed since last year. For instance, about 74% of adults aged 65 and older now express trust in national news organizations, a noteworthy jump from 61% in 2024. This growing trust also extends to adults between 50 and 64 (from 62% to 68%) and those aged 30 to 49 (from 57% to 66%). Meanwhile, the younger demographic, those under 30, show a modest increase in trust from 56% to 60%.
Local news organizations continue to hold the title of the most trusted sources across age demographics. Interestingly, trust in social media remains lower compared to national and local news, but younger adults (ages 18 to 29) show an almost parallel level of trust in social media (54%) and national news organizations (60%). For this age group, local news also garners significant trust, with 76% expressing confidence in these outlets.
Generational Perspectives on Social Media Trust
Diving deeper into the generational analysis reveals a stark divide in trust towards social media. Only 28% of adults aged 65 and older express confidence in information sourced from social media—substantially lower than the trust garnered by national and local news outlets. In contrast, trust levels among younger adults indicate a more favorable view of social media, signaling potential generational divides in news consumption and trust.
This report offers a compelling snapshot of how trust in news organizations and social media is shifting across the political and demographic landscape of the United States. As such shifts unfold, they provide critical insights into the evolving relationship between the public and media, reflecting broader societal trends and emerging narratives.
