Will anger over corruption be the deciding factor in the US midterms?
The vast majority of Americans believe government corruption is widespread – both Democrats and Republicans. Politicians have taken notice.
In a politically polarized United States, one issue unites Republicans, Democrats, and independents: widespread concern over government corruption. According to a recent Gallup poll, 89% of Americans view corruption as widespread, a significant increase from 73% in 2024. This sentiment is shared across the political spectrum, with only four countries in Gallup's 2023 polling having higher levels of concern: Lebanon, Peru, Ghana, and Nigeria.
As the cost of living has dominated recent campaign rhetoric, a Fox News Poll found that voters rank concerns about government corruption higher than inflation (85%) or gas prices (83%). A CNBC survey also identified government corruption as the most important issue facing the country, surpassing economic concerns.
Political advertising has capitalized on this issue, with over $275 million spent on corruption-themed ads, around $173 by Democratic super PACs and $93 by Republican candidates. The Brennan Center for Justice found that Americans hold negative views of corruption across the political spectrum, with 85% viewing Congress as corrupt, 68% blaming President Trump, 63% criticizing Joe Biden, and 62% accusing the Supreme Court of corruption.
Trust in American institutions has been declining since Gallup began polling in the 1970s, with current trust levels at record lows. While 86% trusted the American people in 1976, only 50% do now. Interestingly, Americans perceive a larger gap between corruption in government (89%) and business (71%) compared to other countries. However, trust in local governments remains high, with two-thirds of Americans trusting their local government, a figure slightly higher than in 1972.
Candidates running for office this year have recognized this deep voter distrust in Washington elites and have adopted a script that blames Washington insiders for corruption while touting their local credentials. Some Democrats, such as Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico, have explicitly linked corruption to the affordability crisis, while Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff routinely ties corruption to issues affecting everyday Americans.
Republican candidates have also adopted similar tactics, with Minnesota Senate candidate Michele Tafoya accusing Democrats of failing to stop fraud in the state.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
