Democrats’ Confidence in US Institutions Hits New Low Amid Partisan Divide

A new Gallup survey reveals that Americans' confidence in nine major U.S. institutions remains near a historic low, with only 28% expressing a great deal or quite a lot of confidence, marking the fourth consecutive year below 30%. Confidence is sharply divided along party lines since President Donald Trump took office, with Republicans' confidence rising to 37%, the highest since 2020, while Democrats' confidence fell to a record low of 26%. The largest partisan gaps are seen in confidence in the presidency and the police, with Republicans showing substantial increases in trust toward the presidency, military, and police, while Democrats' confidence in these institutions has declined. Independents' confidence remains low and largely unchanged at 25%, indicating less influence by which party holds the presidency. These trends reflect increasing affective and ideological polarization in the U.S., contributing to declining institutional trust and raising concerns about the health of the governmental system. Additionally, international perceptions have shifted, with British trust in America dropping significantly amid political turmoil following Trump's return to the White House.