Would You Trust the Government in a Real Crisis

This episode explores whether Americans—and people globally—can trust their governments during genuine crises, given historically low confidence levels. Drawing on recent surveys and past events, the host highlights a stark erosion of faith in institutions, its fluctuations under pressure, and complicating factors like politics and media.

Alarming Current Trust Levels

Public confidence in government has hit rock bottom in the United States. As of September 2025, only 17% of Americans say they trust the federal government to do what is right "most of the time," one of the lowest figures in nearly 70 years. This disconnect leaves a vast majority skeptical during everyday governance, let alone emergencies.

Globally, the picture is somewhat better but still troubling. Across OECD countries, average trust hovers at 41.4%, meaning nearly six in ten people feel estranged from their leaders. These baselines matter because they set the stage for how populations respond when stakes rise, revealing a widespread baseline of doubt that crises must overcome.