When I was a young partner at a large ad agency, I attended a meeting with some executives from a leading consumer packaged goods company. The creative director presented a touching and educational media campaign that lit up the room. At the very end, she said, “…and of course trust will be evoked from this emotional campaign and drive loyalty.”
To which the client simply responded, “Why don’t you just say ‘trust me’ instead of all this other stuff?”
She replied, “When you have to say ‘trust me,’ it likely means you shouldn’t. Forcing the sentiment vandalizes the word.”
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That stuck with me. She was, and is, right. Show me, don’t tell me.
The concepts of trust and political vandalism have been troubling me for months. I finally summoned the courage to examine it. Spoiler: It’s not rosy, but I believe we can restore trust.
Nevertheless, we are currently in a time of deep distrust.
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What are the strongest factors driving government distrust in recent history?
On the right: They feel deceived.
MAGA and conservative folks believed COVID protections were “communist” overreach. They didn’t want to be forced to get vaccinated. They also felt the Biden administration repeatedly claimed the economy was doing great while inflation and prices continued to rise. At the core of their distrust was the perception that right-leaning media and politicians were telling one story, while the administration told another.
Top Distrust Factors on the Right:
- COVID restrictions
- Economy
- Immigration
- Corruption
On the left: Political Vandalism of Government
Liberal folks see government agencies and programs being dismantled each day—leaving 20 million without healthcare, along with veterans and schools lacking resources. They view the rule of law being ignored. They fear ongoing vandalism of government agencies will ruin the country, economy, and society. Their distrust stems from the perception that the Trump administration is intentionally damaging government institutions and engaging in overt corruption, with “pay-for-play” scandals and policies perceived as hostile to the middle class and working families. In sum, Liberals and independents believe their freedoms and protections are going away.
Top Distrust Factors on the Left:
- Lawlessness and undermining due process across the country
- Cruel immigration policies
- Medicaid cuts
- Veteran’s Administration issues and lack of funding
- USAID, Department of Education, NIH, HHS, all but gutted
- Tax cuts for billionaires at the expense of families
- Corruption
What does recent government trust data indicate?
General trust in the federal government:
Pew Research Center (2023) reports that about 20% of Americans trust the federal government “just about always” or “most of the time.” This percentage has remained relatively stable in recent years but is much lower than the highs of the past, with a marked dip in 2025.
Historical context:Post-World War II, trust was high—around 75% or more in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Trust by administrative branch:
- Executive Branch: Trust in the presidency fluctuates widely based on the president’s popularity, policies, the economy, wars, and overall performance. For example, Obama’s trust level peaked around 53% early in his term, while Trump hovered between 35-43%. Biden’s trust levels are somewhere in between.
- Congress: Trust in Congress is typically in the 20-30% range, though at its peak after WWII, it was around 50%. Currently, Gallup (July 2023) reports it at about 23%.
- Judiciary: The Supreme Court has historically enjoyed higher trust, but recent decisions have affected public perception. Trust declined from roughly 66% in 2020 to about 54% in 2022. Gallup’s July poll shows favorability at 39%.
Demographic variations:
- Partisan differences: Trust varies greatly depending on political affiliation, spiking when their party controls the presidency.
- Age factors: Younger Americans (Millennials and Gen Z) tend to trust government less than older generations.
Institutional trust:
- Local vs. federal: About 70% of Americans trust their local government, compared to roughly 20% for the federal government.
- Military and police: The military remains highly trusted (~74%). Trust in police varies, generally around 50-60%, but is lower among minority communities.
What does this mean moving forward?
Given that this administration has largely neutered Congress and holds significant influence over the Supreme Court, distrust is likely to persist and deepen. However, restoring balance among the three branches—such as the Democrats winning control of the House and/or Senate—could help reverse some of the damage to public programs, healthcare, and education, thereby restoring trust.
Addressing issues of concern:We must also acknowledge Trump supporters’ concerns. Addressing affordability and developing humane, bipartisan immigration policies are essential.
Currently, citizens should remind the Supreme Court that they took an oath to the constitution, not any president. Demand Republicans restore Medicaid, SNAP and other desperately needed programs. Pressure Democrats to fight more innovatively, creatively and harder.
The keys to trust are clear: Tell your story and listen to everyone, not just some.
Tonight! Pease join radio commentator Patti Vasquez and me tonight at 7pm CDT for some spicy national and local politics on my Livestream Show on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/live...
