It is a fitting irony that the term “fake news” has become itself fraudulent, appropriated, by Donald Trump and his imitators, to dismiss legitimate reporting that they deem damaging, disrespectful or insufficiently flattering. But before there was this fake news, there was real fake news, an ecosystem of rumors, conspiracy […] Read more »
Even with the coronavirus, some Americans deeply distrust the experts. Will they take precautions?
Republican voters are still far more likely than Democrats to believe the coronavirus pandemic has been exaggerated, their skepticism egged on by Fox News and even Republican officeholders. That’s true even after President Trump took emergency measures. But partisanship isn’t the only barrier to getting Americans to listen to scientific […] Read more »
The Conspiracy Theory Handbook
Conspiracy theories are not harmless fun—they can do much harm to society because they undermine trust in the institutions that matter the most in an emergency, such as public health agencies and local governments. In an emergency—like the current COVID pandemic—what matters is the truth. To combat an acute crisis […] Read more »
Americans’ Opinions about the COVID-19 Pandemic
On this week’s episode of Poll Hub, we’re discussing our latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll about COVID-19. Are Americans concerned about the spread of the virus in their local communities? Do they consider it a real threat? Who is driving these opinions? And, who do Americans trust in light of this […] Read more »
Coronavirus Crisis: Still Dividing Americans More Than Uniting Them?
As the coronavirus shuts down their daily routines, some Americans have expressed the hope that the crisis would at last “bring us together” – or at least restore some sense of a shared national fate. That is profoundly to be hoped. Public trust is essential in a public health crisis. […] Read more »
In an uncertain moment, Trump takes refuge in a familiar place: Fake poll numbers
… At a time when it’s imperative that people heed the advice of the president when he instructs them to stay home and prevent the spread of a highly contagious virus, a majority of Americans simply don’t trust Trump to provide accurate information. That’s not just my opinion; a poll […] Read more »