U.S. public trust declines amid rising disease outbreaks and recalls

A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and USAFacts indicates growing skepticism toward federal government information in the United States. Majorities of Americans report having little or no trust in government communications regarding elections, politics, foreign affairs, and the environment. Specifically, only 34% of U.S. adults express high levels of trust in government certifications of election results, a decrease from 40% in 2024.

Concurrently, public health challenges have intensified. The U.S. has surpassed 3,000 measles cases in 2026, marking a 35-year high. Reports indicate that the Trump administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have overseen a rise in preventable diseases and foodborne illnesses. In August 2026, the Food and Drug Administration issued 46 food and drug recall notices, an increase from previous years. Additionally, a cyclosporiasis outbreak has resulted in over 11,000 confirmed cases across 20 states.