As Trump’s second term begins, anger at government, trade is rising globally.
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., expressed confidence in Trump’s legislative priorities in both Republican-controlled chambers and a ‘strong demonstration’ that America is once again a world leader.
Edelman has been conducting annual trust surveys for a quarter of a century now, and the International Communications Organization said this year’s findings were particularly troubling.
of 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer A poll released on Sunday found an unprecedented lack of trust in institutional leaders, with an all-time high of 70% of respondents believing government officials, business leaders and journalists are deliberately misleading them.
A protester uses a megaphone as New York Mayor Eric Adams delivers his fourth and final State of the City address on January 09, 2025 in New York City. (Kena Betancur/VIEWpress/Getty Images)
The survey, which surveyed 33,000 people in 28 countries, found that the fear of being a victim of discrimination is at an all-time high. In the US alone, 50% of whites say they feel discriminated against, while more than 60% feel frustrated by inflation, the risk of job loss and declining social mobility.
The findings indicated an unprecedented decline in employer confidence globally.
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“One of the most frustrating experiences is: You have high inflation, threats to jobs, globalization and (people are asking) ‘Does business really want us?'” said Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman.
“I think it’s overdue for the business to outperform,” he told FOX Business in an interview. “To be able to return, to pay a good salary, to have affordable products and to do the best business, which affects the profit.”
A ‘Morning with Maria’ panel detailed the likely impact of the December jobs report on the US economy.
Another trend that can be seen in the findings is the lack of hope for the next generation. Confidence in a better future is only 36%, lowest in every Western democracy, including France (9%), the UK (17%) and the US (30%).
People also welcome violence, vandalism or misinformation as tools for change, with 4 in 10 respondents and 53% of 18-34 year olds seeing it as a solution to their grievances.
Energy and food prices led to inflation in December.
Similarly, 67 percent of respondents believe the rich take more than their fair share, three-quarters report financial problems due to inflation, and 55 percent of 18-34-year-olds say capitalism is failing them because of their economy.
Disney workers demonstrate outside the main entrance of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California on July 17, 2024, ahead of a proposed strike authorization vote. As recently noted, the lack of trust in institutions, including business institutions, has increased around the world. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“I’m surprised that half the people in our survey now doubt whether capitalism works — that’s a bad thing,” Edelman said, noting that capitalism has worked well for some and others, or perhaps how it could. It is set by certain politicians.
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“But we have to make people believe that the system works,” he said. “And not only the political system, but the economic system is unfair. And I think the last thing that has happened over the years is the fight for the truth and the destruction of the information system.”
