About this episode

The episode discusses a Harvard poll revealing young Americans' declining faith in the political system amid economic pressures.

A new national poll from the Harvard Kennedy School finds young Americans under intense economic pressure and increasingly losing faith in the political system. The 52nd Harvard Youth Poll shows that for many 18- to 29-year-olds, the cost of living — especially inflation and housing — defines what they see as a true crisis. Also. trust in government, elections, and national leadership remains strikingly low. Even as young voters lean Democratic, uneven turnout, low enthusiasm, and widespread skepticism about the fairness of elections suggest that participation in the 2026 midterms may be shaped as much by doubt as by political preference. The most defining shift among young Americans is a loss of perceived agency — a growing belief that what they do no longer shapes what happens next. Half now say people like them have no real say in government. Trust in the federal government has fallen to 15 percent, and confidence in the military has dropped sharply, from 51 percent to 39 percent. Political engagement is still present, but its meaning is changing. Fewer young Americans believe participation delivers results, and most see elected officials as driven by self-interest. What once…

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