Analysis of Political Divides in News Consumption
Dec, 27 2025
The survey, conducted from March 10 to 16, 2025, involved 9,482 U.S. adults, selected through random sampling methods. Participants were asked about their familiarity with various news sources, their trust in these sources, and their regular news consumption habits. The findings indicate that Democrats and independents leaning Democratic are more likely to trust and use mainstream news outlets such as ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, NPR, and The New York Times. In contrast, Republicans and GOP-leaning independents exhibit a higher level of distrust towards these sources, favoring outlets like Fox News, The Joe Rogan Experience, Newsmax, The Daily Wire, and Breitbart.
The survey results show that 57% of Republicans regularly consume news from Fox News, significantly more than any other source. Other popular sources among Republicans include ABC News, NBC News, and CBS News, though these are consumed at lower rates. Conversely, nearly half of Democrats report regularly getting news from CNN, NBC, and ABC, with substantial trust in these outlets.
The study also highlights a stark contrast in trust levels between the two political groups. While a majority of Republicans trust Fox News, Democrats show a broader trust in various sources, including CNN and NPR. The survey indicates that Democrats are less likely to express distrust towards most news outlets compared to Republicans, who generally distrust a larger number of sources.
This analysis underscores the growing polarization in news consumption, with significant implications for public discourse and the dissemination of information. The differences in trust and usage patterns reflect broader societal divisions and raise questions about the role of media in shaping political beliefs and public opinion.