A new Gallup poll reveals that perceptions of widespread government corruption in the United States have reached a record high, with skepticism cutting across traditional party lines and increasing year-on-year. The survey shows 89 percent of Americans believe corruption is pervasive throughout the federal government—a 30-year high. This figure represents a continuous rise from previous years: in 2016, perceptions stood at 76 percent, and in 2006 they were 59 percent. Since 2010, the percentage of Americans who view government corruption as widespread has consistently exceeded 70 percent. The recent data also indicates a 10-point increase since 2025.
These perceptions cut across party lines, with 91 percent of Democrats, 90 percent of Independents, and 83 percent of Republicans reporting that corruption is widespread in the U.S. government. However, Democrats’ views on corruption tend to shift depending on which party controls the administration, while Republicans display greater consistency regardless of electoral outcomes. “Democrats’ perceptions appear closely linked to which party controls the administration,” Gallup noted. “Republicans’ greater consistency on this measure—despite the 2024 election delivering them the White House and Congress—suggests a more underlying view of government corruption that depends less on the party in power.” In 2024, only 57 percent of Democrats believed corruption was widespread in U.S. government.
The poll also found that 71 percent of Americans perceive corruption as widespread in businesses—a gap of nearly 20 percentage points compared to government corruption perceptions. Gallup concluded: “Perceptions of government corruption are now higher in the U.S. than at any point in the past two decades and outpace most other countries, including advanced economies.” The United States currently leads OECD member nations in perceived government corruption, with Colombia ranking second at 79 percent.
This growing distrust in government is likely to drive support for radical, populist, and outsider candidates. The widespread perception of federal corruption also explains why President Donald J. Trump has prioritized tackling waste, fraud, and abuse as a central focus of his administration.
