Media trust has plummeted to historic lows in 2025, with confidence falling below 30% for the first time across newspapers, TV, and radio, reflecting a deepening crisis in credibility.

This decline is heavily influenced by perceptions of bias and dishonesty, especially in coverage related to President Trump, with partisan narratives and selective omission of facts fueling public skepticism.

Notable moments contributing to this erosion include the exposure of CBS's 2004 Rathergate scandal and ongoing accusations of media dishonesty in political and social issues.

A comprehensive survey conducted via telephone interviews with 1,000 adults across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., from September 2-16, 2025, confirms a significant decline in trust, highlighting growing partisan and generational divides.

The survey reveals that trust varies widely among age groups and political affiliations, with the lowest confidence among Republicans and younger adults, complicating efforts for news organizations to rebuild credibility.

Historically, trust in media has declined from about 70% in the 1970s to below 30% today, with record lows among Republicans at just 8%, and notable generational gaps—only 28% of younger adults trust the media compared to 43% of seniors.

Experts link this decline to perceived bias, especially against the Trump administration, and the broader polarization that has led critics to accuse mainstream outlets of biased reporting and omission of facts.

This polarization and skepticism make it increasingly difficult for news organizations to rebuild credibility, especially after years of accusations of promoting misinformation and participating in partisan battles.

Some argue that the decline in media influence might benefit democracy by reducing the power of biased outlets, emphasizing the importance of truth and exposing deception as vital strategies.

The erosion of trust is further compounded by legal and financial pressures on media outlets, including lawsuits and settlements, which critics say threaten media independence and credibility.

Legacy journalists have faced criticism for allegedly hyping misinformation hoaxes, such as the Russia collusion and Hunter Biden laptop scandals, which have contributed to public distrust.

Attacks on press independence by figures like Donald Trump, who has labeled the media 'fake news' and sought to dismantle publicly funded outlets, have also played a significant role in undermining trust.