A Pew Research Center survey highlighted some of the year’s most surprising insights into U.S. society, including shifts in voter confidence, media consumption trends, and changing perspectives on democracy.
Among the findings: confidence in U.S. vote counts increased among Republican voters after Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory. Approximately 72% of Trump voters expressed trust in absentee ballot counting, a stark rise from just 19% in 2020. Meanwhile, confidence among Kamala Harris’ Democratic supporters dipped slightly compared to prior elections, but still remained high. This marked a rare alignment on electoral trust between the two major political factions.
The survey also revealed stark generational divides in sympathies regarding international conflicts. Younger Americans were more likely to express solidarity with Palestinians than Israelis, reflecting a shift in attitudes about U.S. foreign policy. Conversely, older Americans predominantly sided with Israel. These differences extended to views on military aid, with younger respondents opposing such measures far more than their senior counterparts.
In another generational trend, social media influencers have emerged as major news sources for young adults. Over one-third of adults under 30 reported regularly consuming news from influencers, a group largely unaffiliated with traditional journalism. Most of these consumers felt influencers provided unique perspectives that helped clarify civic and current events.
Domestically, public sentiment on higher education has grown more critical. Only 22% of Americans believe college is worth the cost if loans are necessary, with nearly half asserting it is worthwhile only for those who can avoid debt. Reflecting this skepticism, nearly half of respondents said a four-year degree is less essential for securing well-paying jobs than two decades ago.
Concerns over democracy were echoed internationally. Across 35 countries, a majority of respondents indicated that the U.S. is no longer an exemplary model of democracy, a sentiment most pronounced among American respondents themselves.
These findings paint a complex picture of an evolving societal landscape, highlighting deep generational and political divides across a range of critical issues.
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