WASHINGTON (December 11, 2024) — George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management, in partnership with Schoen Cooperman Research, unveiled the findings from their U.S. Post-Election Trust in Government Study. The study, conducted just weeks after the 2024 presidential election, highlights growing concerns about public trust in government and its messaging.

The survey of 800 U.S. adults, conducted from November 19–23 2024, aimed to understand how the recent election shaped public perceptions of government effectiveness, messaging integrity, and the broader information landscape.

Key Findings:

• Erosion of Trust: A plurality of Americans report decreased trust in government following the 2024 election. This decline varies significantly by political affiliation and gender, with Democrats and women expressing less trust, while Republicans and men show increased confidence.
• Misinformation and Disinformation: Nearly 70% of respondents indicated that online misinformation and disinformation complicated their ability to access accurate election information. Over 70% expressed concerns about the role of deepfakes in spreading disinformation.
• Institutional Distrust: A plurality of Americans trust neither the government nor news organizations to provide truthful and fair information, signaling a broader crisis of confidence in traditional public information sources.
• Effectiveness Post-Election: While many Americans expect government effectiveness to improve post-election, opinions are again sharply divided along partisan lines.
• Media Consumption Trends: Younger Americans rely heavily on social media for news, particularly platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Conversely, older adults prefer television and Facebook as primary information sources.

The findings underscore the need for government leaders to address misinformation, political polarization, and institutional distrust. Enhanced transparency and improved communication strategies tailored to diverse demographics and media preferences are critical to rebuilding public trust.

“These results make it 100% clear: the media is fragmented across generations and political parties,” says Lesley Lopez, director of the public relations and communications program for George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. “Those leaders who seek to connect with the American public will have to modernize and rethink their strategies, and also find ways to break through the growing mistrust. Communicators have their work cut out for them, but this research provides insights that will guide the way forward.”

The complete study is available here.

Partner Organizations

The Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University College of Professional Studies is the first and foremost school of applied politics, advocacy, and communications. For more information, visit gspm.gwu.edu. Connect with GSPM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @GSPMgwu.

Schoen Cooperman Research is a strategic research consulting firm headquartered in New York, that helps political, corporate, and advocacy partners drive transformative change.

-GW-