Trust in CEOs erodes, new report shows
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7 in 10 believe government officials, business leaders and journalists deliberately mislead them by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations, according to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, released Sunday.
Why it matters: This is causing an erosion of trust among those that were once considered the most trustworthy.
By the numbers: Edelman surveyed about 32,000 adults across 28 countries and found that a lack of faith in business leaders has increased 21% since 2021, while lack of faith in government leaders and media grew 19%.
- Roughly 6 in 10 report holding grievances against government entities, business leaders and the rich, citing bias and the belief that government and business serve only the few.
Zoom in Those with high-level of grievance, are significantly less likely to trust CEOs (30%), compared to those with a low-level of grievances (64%).
What they're saying: "Business is facing backlash from those opposing its role as a catalyst for societal change," Edelman CEO Richard Edelman said.
- "Moving back from a grievance-based society will require a cross-institution effort to address issues like information integrity, affordability, sustainability, and the future of AI," he added.
Yes, but: Even given the decline in trust, roughly 8 in 10 believe business leaders are justified in addressing societal issues if their business can make an impact.
- Three-fourths support business involvement in social issues as long as it would improve the company's performance and 71% support involvement if the issue impacts their customers, employees or communities.
- Of note, those with a high-level of grievance believe businesses can do more to address issues like climate change, misinformation and discrimination.
Zoom out: "My employer" remains the most trusted institution, however it has seen the greatest dip in trust since last year, dropping three points from 79% in 2024 to 76% in 2025.
- Businesses and NGOs also saw trust decline since last year., while media and government saw an increase — up 2 points and 1 point, respectively — yet remain the least trusted, according to the report.
More on Axios: Americans' faith in most professions dwindles: Gallup
