*** Ross Rant ***
The media trust crisis that should alarm every leader
A Gallup survey finds American confidence in mass media has collapsed to 31%.
This number is a historic low with profound implications for anyone leading in business or government. The latest numbers, from a survey conducted from September 2 to 16, 2025, mark the first time this Gallup measurement has fallen below 35%.
This isn't a partisan talking point.
When Gallup began measuring trust in news media in the 1970s, between 68% and 72% of Americans expressed confidence in reporting.
Today, trust has cratered across the political spectrum: Republican confidence sits at 12%, independents at 27%, and even Democrats have declined to 54%. When two-thirds of Americans actively distrust the institutions meant to inform public discourse, we face a crisis in our information infrastructure.
The generational data is particularly sobering. Only 38% of Americans 65 and older trust media, while younger cohorts register at 31% or below. As demographics shift, institutional credibility will likely deteriorate further without dramatic intervention.
Top six insights:
1. Trust in media has reached a historic low: At 31%, this marks the lowest confidence level since Gallup began tracking this metric in the 1970s, when trust ranged from 68-72%.
2. Republican confidence has collapsed to 12%: This represents a dramatic decline from already-low levels, and Republican trust hasn't exceeded 21% since 2015.
3. Democratic trust has also declined significantly: Only 54% of Democrats now express confidence in the media, down from historical highs and representing a concerning erosion even among the media's most supportive demographic.
4. A generational divide persists, but everyone's trust is declining: While 38% of adults aged 65+ trust the media compared to 31% or less in younger age groups, even older Americans show substantially lower trust than in previous decades.
5. Two-thirds of Americans are actively distrustful: 67% of US adults express either "not very much" confidence (36%) or "none at all" (31%) in news media, demonstrating widespread skepticism rather than neutral indifference.
6. The decline is universal across all partisan groups: While partisan gaps remain significant, confidence has reached new lows among Republicans, independents, and Democrats alike, indicating this is a systemic issue affecting the entire media landscape.
Why this matters:
Communication becomes nearly impossible when your stakeholders don't trust information sources. Market-moving news faces immediate skepticism. Corporate reputation management operates in an environment where traditional media channels lack persuasive power. Crisis communication strategies built on earned media are fundamentally compromised.
For Capitol Hill staffers, this helps explain why constituents are increasingly rejecting expert consensus and official messaging. For CEOs, it underscores the importance of direct communication channels and authentic engagement more than ever, for private equity executives evaluating portfolio companies, media strategy, and stakeholder trust should be due diligence priorities.
The challenge isn't simply fixing media. It's recognizing that every leader must now build trust directly with their stakeholders. Your voice, your transparency, and your accountability matter more than any press release ever will.
You can access the complete Gallup survey here.
-Marc
*** A11. ***
Hamas to demand key revisions to Trump Gaza plan before accepting, sources say: Guardian reports Turkey and Qatar putting pressure on group to make concessions – but condition it disarm is a sticking point.
NBC: Police declare terrorist incident as at least two killed in car and knife attack outside UK synagogue
+ Thursday's incident occurred as the community observed Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
British Jews say UK terrorist attack was just a matter of time: WSJ reports the community worries about growing antisemitism and feels increasingly isolated as the Gaza war drags on.
Deadly attack outside UK synagogue on Yom Kippur is declared terrorism: NYT reports the police identified the attacker as Jihad al-Shamie, 35, a British citizen of Syrian descent. He was shot dead, the police said, after killing two people in Manchester, England.
Europe’s new war on the Jews: Yom Kippur sees a terror attack in Britain, while Germany foils one. WSJ-Editorial
Trump’s drone deal with Ukraine to give US access to battlefield tech: A Team from Kyiv is in Washington this week to work out agreement details. WSJ
Why not let Ukraine hit Moscow? Trump offers intelligence support for long-range strikes inside Russia. WSJ-Editorial
Ukraine needs Europe to move faster on Russian ‘reparations’: An EU summit made only incremental progress on getting Kyiv access to frozen Kremlin funds. WP-Editorial
Russian gasoline production buckles under Ukrainian drone strikes: WP reports in annexed Crimea, drivers are limited to five gallons of gas at the pump, and all Russians face higher taxes and less social spending as the war drags on.
Vladimir Putin is testing the West—and its unity: NATO must resist Russia’s efforts to corrode it from within. Economist
As Russian drones menace Europe, Putin says Moscow has no plans to invade: NYT reports President Vladimir V. Putin lashed out at “European elites” for “whipping up the hysteria” about the “Russian threat.”
French-German future combat aircraft project on the brink of collapse: Le Monde reports eight years after Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel launched it, this symbol of European sovereignty in defense is on the verge of collapse. At issue are the demands of the project's main contractor, Dassault Aviation, which Berlin considers excessive, as well as political and strategic differences between France and Germany.
The unravelling of France’s centrist project: There is a real chance that power will fall into the hands of the extremes. Economist
Labour has a new leader. His name is Nigel Farage: Sir Keir Starmer displayed multiple personalities at his party conference, which shows you that Reform is making the political weather. Patrick Maguire
Britain is trying to create a digital identity system, again: One more heave. Economist
Two cables and the hidden subsea battle between US and China: A high-stakes rivalry is playing out over a vast but vulnerable web of underwater cables that carry nearly all global internet traffic. Bloomberg
The feud that could upend Asia’s balance of power: The Philippines sits at the middle of a China-US power struggle. A pitched battle between its president and vice president could tip the outcome. Bloomberg
Australia rolls out ‘ghost bats and sharks’ in historic defence spending spree: Canberra undertakes the most ambitious military overhaul since the Second World War to meet the China threat. FT
India’s rich flock to Mumbai’s new billionaires’ row: Transformation of city’s infrastructure creates seafront neighbourhood for ultra-rich on single street. FT
8%: The share of land in Paraguay that is owned by Mennonites, a close-knit group of German-speaking Christians.
In Argentina, Milei faces a new setback as Congress overturns spending vetoes: The vote comes as the US-backed Milei struggles to end a run on the national currency, the peso, in the run-up to the crucial October 26 mid-term elections. Le Monde
US Treasury chief says 'fully prepared' to support struggling Argentina: AFP reports US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that his agency was "fully prepared to do what is necessary" in support of Argentina, a week after revealing both sides were in talks over an economic aid program.
Foreign interference in Canadian elections could get more sophisticated, task force warns: Canada’s most recent election was not significantly impacted by foreign interference. Still, interference attempts could become more sophisticated and social media companies are less interested in protecting democracy, a government task force warns. Toronto Star
Canada making progress in trade talks with US, LeBlanc says: Canada is making “progress” in reaching a breakthrough on US tariffs, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s point man in the trade war. Toronto Star
Canada issues warning for US-bound travellers with gender-neutral passports: Toronto Star reports the advisory notes some countries, including the US, don’t recognize the “X” gender identifier, meaning entry is not guaranteed.
Bloomberg: Trump declares cartels in ‘armed conflict’ with US military
US in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels, Trump tells Congress: The Trump administration is seeking legal justification for strikes on what it has claimed are Venezuelan drug traffickers at sea. WP
Lawmakers from both sides pressed Pentagon on legal basis for cartel boat strikes: Republicans and Democrats press top Defense Department lawyer in closed-door briefing. WSJ
The embarrassing Pete Hegseth: The Pentagon needs sober, judicious leadership, not a drama queen who makes things jarring and fevered. Peggy Noonan
Trump making plans to send billions in cash bailouts to farmers with taxpayer money: Politico reports the president has also said he wants to use direct tariff revenue for the payments, but that could trigger a major fight in Congress.
Trump explores bailout of at least $10 billion for farmers: WSJ reports the move would come as the agriculture sector warns of economic fallout from Trump’s tariffs.
Wall Street buys Trump tariff refund rights from cash-strapped US importers: Oppenheimer, other financial firms bet on the Supreme Court striking down trade war levies. Nikkei
+ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted a “pretty big breakthrough” in the next round of trade talks with China, even as the Trump administration takes steps to support American farmers hurt by a decline in Chinese purchases of soybeans.
US farmers hit by trade war to get 'substantial' aid: Treasury chief: AFP reports US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled Thursday that "substantial support" for farmers would be announced next week, particularly for those growing soybeans, as they struggle with fallout from President Donald Trump's trade conflicts.
+ Mini Ross Rant: As a means to increase GDP, Team Trump is soon to announce a corps of ditch diggers to create a ditch from Baltimore to San Diego. And then to really juice the GDP, Team Trump will announce a corps of ditch fillers to fill the same ditch from San Diego to Baltimore. Brilliant.
Trump's tariff war persists, destabilizing global trade: Six months ago, on April 2, the president of the United States unveiled his 'reciprocal tariffs' on the rest of the world. Since then, Washington has wielded the threat of new taxes to pressure its partners. Le Monde
Thoughts on the US economy: A new CBS News poll finds 59% of Americans say the economy is “getting worse,” and 52% describe the job market as “bad.”
LA’s entertainment economy is looking like a disaster movie: Work is evaporating, businesses are closing, longtime residents are leaving, and the city’s creative middle class is hanging on by a thread. WSJ
What’s wrong with Las Vegas? As prices skyrocket and international travel declines, the city finds itself caught in a perfect storm. NYT
White House senses political risk on healthcare despite shutdown bravado: WSJ reports aides to President Trump are discussing proposals to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies on which millions of Americans rely.
Senior government officials privately warn against firings during shutdown: WSJ reports the Trump administration has said mass firings are coming, but officials have quietly warned several agencies that the move could violate appropriations law.
Bloomberg: Trump eyes firing thousands of federal workers over shutdown
Trump promises cuts to ‘Democrat agencies’: WSJ reports President Trump redoubled his threat to use the shutdown to slash the federal bureaucracy as Democrats and Republicans dug in for an extended battle.
Trump administration approval of abortion drug infuriates the right: WSJ reports the administration approved a new generic version of mifepristone, a decision made quietly by the Food and Drug Administration this week.
Trump officials cancel $7.6 billion in clean energy projects: WP reports the cuts are the latest in the administration’s efforts to undercut renewable energy and other efforts to decrease the emissions driving climate change.
Newsom threatens funding cuts to colleges that sign Trump deal: Bloomberg reports California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to pull “billions of dollars” in state funding from any California university that signs a Trump administration proposal offering preferential funding in exchange for certain demands, including a cap on international students.
Jane Fonda relaunches McCarthy-era committee to defend free speech: WP reports the actor said the Committee for the First Amendment — first backed by her father in 1947 — would fight the Trump administration’s attempts to silence critics.
Democrats are putting money into solidly red Mississippi. Here’s why. The DNC is investing in low-profile state races there as the South is on track to wield more power in future elections. Will it work? WP
How Trump’s 2020 election falsehoods are shaping a marquee Georgia race: Warring factions at odds over his failed effort to overturn the outcome are renewing their rivalries in a major midterm contest. WP
The Mamdani effect: Democrats seem to be acting differently since June. Is that a coincidence? David Freedlander
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer casts doubt on a 2028 presidential bid: Whitmer was asked by a Canadian journalist in a moderated discussion whether she is considering seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. “I anticipate helping, but I don’t know if I’m going to be the person,” she said. AP
Musk joins 'cancel Netflix' campaign: AFP reports Elon Musk has urged his 227 million social media followers to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, accusing the streaming platform of promoting what he describes as transgender propaganda.
Paramount nears a deal to buy Bari Weiss’s Free Press: Ms. Weiss, a co-founder of the site, would become editor in chief of CBS News, people briefed on the talks said. NYT
5 most valuable private companies:
1. OpenAI
2. SpaceX
3. ByteDance
4. Anthropic
5. Stripe
+ Source: CB Insights
OpenAI valuation hits $500 billion while Altman signs more deals in Asia: WSJ reports the share sale speaks to frenzy around artificial intelligence.
AI comes to the video wars: A new period of experimentation in apps has arrived to expand the user experience beyond chatbots. Richard Waters
Younger workers will win the AI economy: Artificial intelligence is slowing hiring for junior roles, but history suggests young workers are often best placed to adapt to new technology. Bloomberg
Convicted moguls Sean Combs and Miles Guo ponder AI platform after jail: FT reports Chinese businessman tells judge ahead of rapper’s sentencing hearing they ‘sleep right across from each other’ in Brooklyn jail.
Music labels close to landmark AI licensing deals: FT reports Universal and Warner seek payment structure similar to streaming as more disruption looms.
Boom or bubble: How long can the AI investment craze last? The staggering investments in artificial intelligence keep coming: Last week, AI chip giant Nvidia announced it would invest $100 billion to help OpenAI, the frontrunner in generative AI, build data centers. AFP
The incompatibility of AI and decarbonization: The notion of 'techno-solutionism,' asserting that artificial intelligence could achieve sufficient energy savings to make the process sustainable, is an illusion. Le Monde-Editorial
Delays to Trump’s UAE chips deal frustrate Nvidia’s Jensen Huang: WSJ reports the multibillion-dollar deal was announced in May, but the commerce secretary has since pushed the UAE for certain US investments first.
ByteDance will be better off without TikTok US: There is a lot more to the Chinese tech giant than its American offshoot. Economist
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire comes to the aid of Occidental Petroleum—again: WSJ reports Berkshire’s $9.7 billion buy of Occidental’s petrochemicals business will allow the company to reduce debt and focus on fossil fuels.
Bloomberg: California-to-Vegas high-speed rail costs jump $5.5 billion
Tesla reported record vehicle deliveries in the third quarter, after months of decline. The strong performance, which saw 497,099 cars delivered globally, was a 7% increase from the same period a year ago.
Volkswagen gets what it paid for: VW welcomed the union last year and now faces a costly work stoppage. WSJ-Editorial
Autonomous truck startup Kodiak set to go public after $2.5 billion deal: WSJ reports the maker of software for self-driving vehicles is one of several companies aiming to automate long-haul trucking.
Paris in uproar as Shein picks capital of fashion for first shop: The Times reports the Chinese fast-fashion giants plan to open stores six French cities outraged the industry, which accused it of flooding the market and destroying local brands.
Japan days away from running out of Asahi Super Dry after cyber attack: Vast majority of factories of nation’s most popular beer have stopped work this week. FT
Detroit Free Press: Ford IT system tampered with to display vulgar anti-RTO message across office screens
Why are Americans relocating? The data shows surprises. The tranquility and safety of suburban and rural areas increasingly appeal to many movers. Mitch Daniels
Meet the first American to win ‘Best Cheesemonger in the World’: Emilia D’Albero won the Mondial du Fromage, one of the world’s top cheese competitions, held every two years in Tours, France. WP
Wine from China is finer than Western snobs imagine: Government support and French expertise have made all the difference. Economist
These numbers are the real reason late-night TV is collapsing: Comedy’s cultural center of gravity has shifted under Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert’s feet. Mark Robichaux
Can’t stop talking about ‘One Battle After Another’? Neither can we. Ten writers on what Paul Thomas Anderson’s zany political opus is really about. WP
The 25 most influential magazine covers of all time: Our editors, a creative director, and a visual artist met to debate and discuss the best of print media — and its enduring legacy. NYT
Detroit News: Go west! Tigers conquer Guardians, head to Seattle for ALDS
Latest USMNT roster offers look at A-team as World Cup looms: US men’s national soccer team coach Mauricio Pochettino brought Weston McKennie, Antonee Robinson, and Matt Turner back to the fold for matches against Ecuador and Australia. WP
Pulisic, McKennie headline US squad for October friendlies: AFP reports AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie headline a 26-strong squad named Thursday by USA manager Mauricio Pochettino for two October friendlies.
FIFA 'cannot solve geopolitical problems' like Gaza, says Infantino: AFP reports FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday football "cannot solve geopolitical problems", as he comes under pressure to suspend Israel over the Palestinian conflict.
The PGA apologizes to Rory McIlroy’s wife Elizabeth Gulino NY Mag
Trump ally threatens immigration sweep at Bad Bunny Super Bowl show: AFP reports US authorities could conduct immigration sweeps at next year's Super Bowl, a Trump administration official has warned, following the announcement that Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny will headline the halftime show.
Enjoy the ride + plan accordingly.
-Marc
Marc A. Ross | Chief Communications Strategist @ Caracal
A11. | October 3
