Americans Think Trump Is Performing Worse Than Biden On Key Issue

By Kate Plummer

Americans believe that President Donald Trump is performing worse on the economy than former President Joe Biden, according to a new poll.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris survey showed that 53 percent of respondents believe the economy is now worse than it was under Biden, while 47 percent believe it is better.

The poll also found that 62 percent blame Trump for the current state of the economy, while 38 percent blame the Biden administration.

Read Full Article : newsweek.com

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March Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll: Trump Approval Drops 3 Pts. to 43% Amidst Worsening Views on the Economy and Support for the Iran War Split Along Partisan Lines

Monday, 30 March 2026 03:10 PM

Topic: Advertorial

45% OF VOTERS SAY THEIR PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION IS WORSENING, A 5-POINT INCREASE FROM LAST MONTH, AND 71% THINK INFLATION IS ABOVE 3 PERCENT

76% OF VOTERS THINK THE U.S. IS WINNING THE WAR ON IRAN AND THREE IN FIVE VOTERS SAY IRAN IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT

51% SUPPORT U.S.-ISRAEL AIRSTRIKES ON THE IRANIAN REGIME AND 54% SAY THE CAMPAIGN IS JUSTIFIED

SUPPORT FOR THE AIRSTRIKES IS SPLIT ALONG PARTISAN LINES WITH 79% OF REPUBLICANS - INCLUDING 87% OF SELF-IDENTIFIED MAGA VOTERS AND 80% OF TRUMP 2024 VOTERS - SUPPORTING IT; WHILE ONLY 46% OF INDEPENDENTS AND 26% OF DEMOCRATS HAVE FAVORABLE VIEWS

65% OF VOTERS OPPOSE THE DHS SHUTDOWN

MAJORITY SUPPORT THE SAVE AMERICA ACT AND 59% SAY IT SHOULD BE PASSED BEFORE THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

CONGRESSIONAL HORSERACE REMAINS TIGHT AT 51-49 WITH DEMOCRATS HOLDING A 2-POINT LEAD

NEW YORK, NY AND CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) today released the results of the March Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump's job approval rating has dropped three points to 43%, with slight decreases across all policy areas. His job approval is highest on fighting crime in America's cities (47%), returning America to its values (47%), and immigration (46%); and lowest on handling inflation (39%) and the economy (40%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on the airstrikes on the Iranian regime, overall economy, midterms, DHS shutdown, voter ID requirements, and Cuba. Download the key results here.

"Trump shows a small decline given the twin events of the Iran War and the DHS shutdown, and the Congressional race remains tight," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS/ Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "Gas price increases are likely behind the decline, but such declines are likely temporary if the war goes as planned. Support for the war is split along partisan lines but there are no questions in voter minds about the evil intentions of Iranian regime."

VIEWS ON THE COUNTRY AND ECONOMY WORSEN

• 35% of voters say the country is on the right track (-3 pts., Feb. 2026). 32% say the economy is on the right track (-6).
• 45% of voters say their personal financial situation is getting worse (+5), including 43%, a plurality, of likely midterm voters.
• The Republican Party approval rating is at 44% (-4), while the Democratic Party approval rating is at 43% (-2). Congressional approval is at 30% (-4).
• Inflation and immigration continue to be the nation's top two most important issues today, according to voters, with healthcare decreasing (-5) and terrorism/national security increasing (+8) in salience this month.

PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH INFLATION AND SHRINKING GDP RISE

• 62% of voters say the current state of the economy is due to the Trump administration over Biden (Democrats: 83%; Republicans: 38%; Independents: 66%).
• 53% of voters say the economy is worse today than it was under Biden (+5 pts., Feb. 2026).
• 59% of voters think the economy is shrinking (+7). 71% believe inflation is above 3 percent a year right now (+9), including a majority across political parties.

MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE MAJORITY SUPPORT

• The majority of key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (85% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (77%), eliminating fraud in government expenditures (75%), and capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year (70%).
• Trump's least popular policies include Medicaid cost cuts (44%), hiring additional ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (45%), and scaling back participation in international organizations (45%).
• 74% of voters say it is in the U.S.' interests to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, including a majority across political parties. 52% oppose Trump's handling of the Iran conflict so far.
• 48% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing a worse than expected as president (+4).

VOTERS SEE WIDE POLICY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PARTIES ON IRAN, VOTER ID REQUIREMENTS, AND IMMIGRATION

• 82% of voters say Democrats are against the war on Iran, while 78% say Republicans are for it.
• 60% of voters say Democrats are against voter ID requirements (Democrats: 46%; Republicans: 76%; Independents: 58%), while 84% say Republicans are for them.
• 56% of voters say Democrats stand for open borders, including a majority across political parties.
• 52% of voters say Democrats are for deporting violent criminals here illegally, while 79% say the same of Republicans.
• 60% of voters say special prosecutors under the Biden administration obtaining phone records on members of Congress was inappropriate, and 55% view it as spying by the Democrats. 65% of voters believe the prosecutor should go to jail.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS PLANNING TO VOTE IN 2026 MIDTERMS AND ARE THINKING OF 2028

• 73% say they will definitely or probably vote in the 2026 Congressional midterm elections (Definitely: Democrats: 62%; Republicans: 62%; Independents: 42%).
• 51% of voters say they would vote for a Democrat if the congressional election were held today. The lead widens to 4 points among likely midterm voters.
• 67% of voters have given thought to the 2028 presidential election, including a majority across political parties.
• Kamala Harris (41%) and J.D. Vance (42%) are the favored candidates for president among voters from their respective parties.

DHS SHUTDOWN IS UNPOPULAR; VOTERS WANT FUNDING FOR TSA AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

• 65% of voters oppose the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including a majority across political parties. 53% blame the Republicans.
• 64% of voters support funding non-immigration portions of DHS like the TSA, including a majority across political parties.
• 69% of voters support funding DHS with $100 million for agent body cameras and audits.
• 60% of voters would prefer to not provide any more funding to ICE unless it changes operations. 52% say the DHS shutdown by Democrats was a justified response to ICE actions (Democrats: 73%; Republicans: 33%; Independents: 50%).

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE SAVE AMERICA ACT WITH A MAJORITY IN FAVOR OF PASSING IT BEFORE NOVEMBER MIDTERMS

• 68% of voters support the proposed SAVE America Act, and 56% agree the Act is a commonsense way to stop election fraud (-4). 62% of voters believe there is at least some voter fraud in U.S. elections.
• The majority of voters continue to support the specific requirements of the Act, including proof of citizenship (74%), voter ID (81%), states removing non-citizens from voter rolls (80%), and states sharing redacted voting rolls with the DHS (58%).
• 56% of voters believe stricter voter ID requirements are neutral with no benefit to either political party, including a plurality across political parties. 52% believe politicians who support the SAVE America Act are actually concerned about voter fraud (+3).
• 59% of voters are for passing the SAVE America Act into law before the midterm elections in November. 39%, a plurality, say they are more likely to support someone running for office who supports the Act.
• 77% of voters say there should be a national law to require counting ballots within 24 hours of Election Day, including a majority across political parties.
• 50% of voters support mail voting (-4), and 68% support early voting.

VOTERS SAY AIRSTRIKES ARE JUSTIFIED AND IRAN IS A NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT TO THE U.S.

• 54% of voters think U.S. airstrikes on Iran are justified and a majority agree with all tested justifications, with the killing of thousands of unarmed citizen protestors (63%), global terror cells (62%), and Iranian missiles and drones against civilians in neighboring countries (62%) convincing the most voters, including a majority across political parties.
• 63% of voters say the U.S. should support regime change in Iran, including a majority across political parties. 54% believe U.S. military airstrikes will be successful in leading such a change.
• 62% of voters say Iran is a national security threat to the U.S., and 67% believe it has been a leading source of instability, terrorism, and war in the Middle East.
• 51% of voters support the US-Israeli airstrikes (Democrats: 26%; Republicans: 79% (MAGA voters: 87%; Trump 2024 voters: 80%); Independents: 46%).
• 76% of voters believe the U.S. is winning the war on Iran right now, including a majority across political parties and age groups.
• 57% of voters support a diplomatic agreement that ends military fighting but would leave the current Iranian regime in place.
• 53% of voters oppose having a small contingent of U.S. troops on the ground in Iran.
• After reading information on the Iranian regime and nuclear weapons program, 56% of voters support U.S. airstrikes on Iran (+5 from pre-messaging).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS OPPOSE CURRENT REGIME IN CUBA BUT DON'T WANT U.S. TO INTERVENE DIRECTLY

• 74% of voters oppose the regime in Cuba. 60% believe the people who run Cuba do not have the support of their people, including a majority across political parties.
• 53% of voters oppose the U.S. playing a more active role in pressuring reform in Cuba, and 57% oppose political or military intervention.
• The plurality of voters say the U.S. should pursue diplomatic negotiations (27%) and provide humanitarian aid to the Cuban people (26%).

The March Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on March 25-26, 2026, among 2,009 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies

The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

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HarrisX and 2WAY Launch "Capital Intel," a First-of-its-Kind Interactive Polling Program

Monday, 30 March 2026 12:45 PM

Topic: Partnerships

New partnership combines HarrisX industry-leading polling, expert analysis, and real-time audience participation powered by 2WAY to redefine how polling is delivered and understood

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 / 2WAY, the interactive live video platform devoted to unique conversations, unbiased discourse, open debate, authentic community, and HarrisX, one of the nation's most accurate pollsters and one of the most innovative and widely cited public opinion research firms, today announced a strategic partnership to launch "Capital Intel," a first-of-its-kind polling-driven content franchise designed to democratize access to data and reshape how audiences engage with public opinion.

The programs will be hosted by Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell, serving as principal analyst, alongside Mark Halperin, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of 2WAY, who will serve as host and moderator. Together, they bring decades of experience at the intersection of polling, politics, media, and public discourse to this new format. It will also feature leading pollsters and experts from HarrisX and across public life.

"Capital Intel" will employ original overnight polling conducted specifically for the program by HarrisX. For the first time, audience members will be able to ask questions about poll results, the polling process, and methodology, getting answers from experts who will demystify every element.

"Polling is key to allowing audiences to understand the nuances within our contemporary politics, yet it remains largely inaccessible, mistrusted, or misunderstood by everyday audiences," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. "What ‘Capital Intel' introduces is a new model-combining sophisticated, high-frequency polling data with a modern, interactive format, making these insights more transparent and actionable than ever before."

The collaboration brings together HarrisX's proprietary polling and analytics, Mark Penn's decades of experience as one of the most influential pollsters in modern politics, and 2WAY's interactive video platform and production capabilities, creating one of the most advanced, rapid-results, and participatory polling show formats ever produced.

"Polling has long shaped how leaders understand the world and the decisions they make, but too often those insights exist behind closed doors or are slow to translate into clear and high-quality public information," said Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX. "This partnership delivers sharper intelligence grounded in immediate, rigorous data that will help viewers understand not just what voters and decision-makers think, but also what it means and what comes next. The partnership also creates a new medium and advertising vehicle in Washington for policy shapers and decision-makers by making polling more actionable, trusted, and impactful in how decisions get made."

"This is about opening up the black box of polling," said Mark Halperin, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of 2WAY. "For the first time, audiences won't just hear the results, they'll be part of the conversation, asking questions and sharing their live reactions to data and forming a community that shapes the dialogue around it."

The "Capital Intel" franchise will consist of three core programming pillars:

• Daily Capital Intel: Short-form, recurring segments integrated into 2WAY flagship programming, including "The Morning Meeting" and "2WAY Tonight," powered by HarrisX overnight polling and airing at least twice per week
• Monthly Capital Intel: A 30-45 minute flagship broadcast anchored by Penn and Halperin, delivering in-depth analysis of the latest polling and major trends shaping politics, policy, and public opinion
• Monthly Private Deep-Dive Briefings: Invite-only, high-production virtual sessions for journalists, business leaders, and policymakers, offering deeper insights and forward-looking analysis

Together, these formats create a continuous and virtuous feedback loop between data, expert interpretation, and audience engagement, transforming polling from a static snapshot into a dynamic, participatory experience.

HarrisX will provide the underlying polling data and analytics, including its widely followed national surveys and overnight polling capabilities, while 2WAY will power production, distribution, and real-time audience interaction through its platform.

The launch of "Capital Intel" marks the first time a dedicated polling franchise has been built specifically for an interactive media environment, setting a new standard for how polling can inform, engage, and involve audiences in the national conversation.

Programming details and premiere dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

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ABOUT HARRISX

HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a strategic research and advisory firm that delivers clear, data-driven answers to complex and pressing questions faced by corporate, political and government clients. Powered by proprietary technology and a campaign-style approach, we move fast, cut through the noise, and surface insights that drive real-world impact. With offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia, we advise Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Named one of top and most accurate pollsters of the 2020 and 2024 U.S. presidential elections, HarrisX doesn't just deliver data - we deliver confident decisions.

ABOUT 2WAY

2WAY is an interactive, live video platform devoted to unique conversations, unbiased discourse, and open debate. Our community of contributors engages in two-way conversations with users about today's events, politics, and significant issues, absent the one-sided partisanship and angry rhetoric that have come to dominate the discourse around current events on social media and cable news.

2WAY invites individuals of all backgrounds and viewpoints to join its growing community. Whether you are a seasoned political observer or simply someone looking to engage in thoughtful discussions about the issues that matter most, 2WAY provides a platform for meaningful dialogue.

Join 2WAY and be a part of the conversation.

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Trump-Backed SAVE Act Proposals Are Popular With Americans

By Andrew Stanton

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Read Full Article Here: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-backed-save-act-proposals-are-popular-with-americans-11690539

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The vast majority of Americans—85 percent—believe only citizens should be allowed to vote, according to a recent Harvard Center for American Political Studies/HarrisX Poll. In total, 75 percent support requiring voters to show proof of citizenship.

Eighty-one percent support voter ID and 80 percent support removing noncitizens from voter rolls, the poll found.

However, it also found that 68 percent also support allowing Americans to vote early in elections.

It surveyed 1,999 registered voters on February 25-26.

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Trump allies plan Senate floor takeover to pass SAVE America Act

BY ALEXANDER BOLTON

But they’re bracing for long hours and possible late nights in a bid to build momentum for the bill, which already has broad public support. A recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll of 1,999 registered voters found that 71 percent support the SAVE America Act.

Read Full Article Here: thehill.com

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T-Mobile’s New Wireless Deals Offer Families Long-Term Savings

By Rudie Obias

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According to global market research, data analytics and strategy consulting company HarrisX, families with over three phone lines saved more than $3,700 over the span of five years with T-Mobile — when compared to families with Verizon and AT&T service.

Based on math-driven HarrisX Billing Snapshots

Read The Full Article Here: variety.com

The SAVE America Act Is the Most Popular Election Reform in Decades

The White House

FACT: Voter ID requirements are extremely popular with the American people.

President Donald J. Trump is urgently calling on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act immediately and safeguard America’s elections from illegal voting. The legislation includes straightforward protections to safeguard America’s elections and enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support — except from Radical Left Democrats in Washington who are putting their own political power above the will of the people.

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• Harvard CAPS/Harris: 81% of Americans favor voter ID, including 79% of independents and 70% of Democrats.

FACT: Americans overwhelmingly support the SAVE America Act.

• Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll: 71% support the SAVE America Act — including 69% of independents and half of rank-and-file Democrats.
  • 80% want states to purge non-citizens from voter rolls.
  • 60% call the SAVE America Act a “commonsense way to stop fraud and protect the security of our elections.”
  • 58% recognize at least some voter fraud exists in the U.S.

Read Full Article Here:  whitehouse.gov

Trump Delivered The Longest SOTU In History, But What Did Voters Think Of It?: Pollster Weighs In

Forbes Breaking News

On "Forbes Newsroom", HarrisX CEO Dritan Nesho spoke about President Trump's State of the Union address.

The US Captured Maduro Over Two Months Ago, How Do Voters Feel About It Now?: Pollster Weighs In

Forbes Breaking News

On "Forbes Newsroom", HarrisX CEO Dritan Nesho discussed how voters feel about President Trump's foreign policy.

How Do Voters Feel About The SAVE America Act?: New Poll Breaks It Down

Forbes Breaking News

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On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll that discussed voters' attitudes towards the SAVE America Act.

On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll that has data on President Trump's approval rating, voters' prime concerns, and what the midterms could hold.

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Another New Poll Shows Massive Support for SAVE America Act

President Donald J. Trump renewed his urgent call for Congress to swiftly pass the SAVE America Act, a straightforward, commonsense bill to fortify our elections against fraud and ensure only American citizens cast ballots.

71% support the SAVE America Act — including 69% of independents and half of rank-and-file Democrats.

• 81% favor requiring voter ID — backed by 79% of independents and 70% of Democrats.

• 80% want states to purge non-citizens from voter rolls.

• 75% support proof of citizenship to vote.

• 61% support sharing unredacted voting rolls with the Department of Homeland Security.

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Read The Full Article Here: whitehouse.gov

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New Survey Finds GOP Even With Dems in Midterms

By Jim Mishler

The poll of 1,999 registered voters was conducted online Feb. 25-26 and found that 50% said they would vote for the Republican candidate in their congressional district, while 50% said they would back the Democrat candidate if the election were held today.

Read The Full Article Here: Newsmax.com

T-Mobile Pairs iPhone 17e and iPad Air with Plans that Bring Built-in Value from Day One

Business Wire

Customers will be able to pre-order iPhone 17e and iPad Air starting Wed., March 4, with availability beginning Wed., March 11. For more details, please visit www.t-mobile.com/offers/apple-iphone-deals.

With iPhone 17e at T-Mobile, customers can get more than just the latest iPhone. They can get industry-leading benefits and value — powered by America’s Best Network and backed by a 5-year price guarantee on T-Mobile’s best plans. That value shows up in meaningful savings, year after year. In an analysis comparing real monthly bills, HarrisX found that T-Mobile families have saved over $3,700 vs. the other big guys in the past 5 years. That’s money back in families’ pockets that could help pay for everyday expenses like gas, groceries, or even a vacation. At T-Mobile it truly is wireless with no compromises, and of course that includes great deals to score iPhone 17e across T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and UScellular:

Read Full Article Here: o1.net.it

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Perspectives: The modern boardroom isn’t modern at all

2026 is defined by unprecedented acceleration and innovation. Artificial intelligence dominates every conversation, sometimes to the point of fatigue. However, beyond the headlines, it is fundamentally reshaping how organisations operate and create value. Employees, customers, regulators and investors are more informed, more vocal and less patient than ever. For corporate leaders, more than ever, it is essential to be prepared, transparent and proactive.

The 5th Annual Harris X–Ragan Surveyof CEOs and Communications Leaders shows that 83 per cent of leaders believe their organisation gets it right on political, economic, and social issues. Yet, 62 percent of female leaders feel their organisation does not speak up enough, while 53 percent of male counterparts are more likely to believe organisations speak up too much.

Read The Full Article: insights.telummedia.com

DEAD HEAT: Stunning New Poll Shows GOP Drawing Even With Dems Ahead of Midterms

Isaac Schorr

The poll of 1,999 registered voters, which was conducted online between February 25 and 26, found that 50% of Americans would vote for the Republican candidate in their congressional district and 50% would vote for the Democratic one if the midterms were held today.

Read The Full Article Here : MediaIte.com

February Caps / Harris Poll: Trump's State Of The Union Address Gets A 60% Favorable Rating, With All 11 New Policies Receiving Majority Support

52% OF VOTERS SAY ECONOMY IS BETTER TODAY THAN UNDER BIDEN, UP 5 PTS. FROM JANUARY

65% OF VOTERS AGREE WITH THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION LIMITING EXECUTIVE POWER TO IMPOSE TARIFFS IN NON-EMERGENCIES

85% OF VOTERS SAY ONLY U.S. CITIZENS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE WITH 71% SUPPORTING THE SAVE AMERICA ACT

THE MIDTERMS HORSERACE IS TIED, BUT REPUBLICANS HAVE A 4-PT. MESSAGING EDGE AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

76% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT FREE ENTERPRISE OVER SOCIALIST POLICIES, WITH STRONG CONSENSUS FOR PRIVATE HOMEOWNERSHIP, PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND PRIVATELY RUN GROCERY STORES

59% OF VOTERS NOW SUPPORT MADURO'S ARREST AND VENEZUELA INTERVENTION, A 5-PT. INCREASE, AND 62% SAY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PUSH VENEZUELA TOWARDS DEMOCRACY

NEW YORK, NY and CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 2, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump's approval rating is at 46%, showing slight improvements across nearly every policy area. His job approval is highest on fighting crime in America's cities (51%), immigration (48%), and returning America to its values (48%); and lowest on responding to anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis (42%) and tariffs and trade policy (43%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on the State of the Union, overall economy, midterms, recent Supreme Court ruling, voter ID requirements, economic ideology, and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America, the Middle East, and Ukraine. We will release a special follow-up report later this week on the conflict in Iran. Download the key results here.

"The Americans are single-mindedly focused on the economy, and this poll shows there is room for people to change their opinion as we're seeing some improvement in the long-term trend," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "The administration has to keep working on explaining its economic policy to change the minds of voters ahead of the midterms."

SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT IN PERCEPTIONS OF THE ECONOMY

• 51% of voters say the U.S. economy is strong today (+2 pts., Jan. 2026; +8 pts., Nov. 2025).
• 36% of voters say their personal financial situation is improving (+4 pts., Nov. 2025), particularly among Republican, male, likely midterm, 25-44 y.o., and urban voters.
• 52% of voters say the economy is better today than it was when Biden was president (+5 pts., Jan. 2026). 59% attribute today's economy to Trump (Democrats: 75%; Republicans: 44%; Independents: 58%).
• 52% of voters say the economy is shrinking (-4). 62% think inflation is above 3 percent, including a majority across political parties (-4).

VOTERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MOST OF TRUMP'S POLICIES

• The majority of key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (80% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (75%), eliminating fraud in government expenditures (71%), and capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year (69%).
• Trump's least popular policies include removing information about civil rights and climate change from public sites (32% support), Medicaid cost cuts (42%), and hiring additional ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (45%).
• Inflation and immigration continue to be the nation's top two most important issues today, according to voters, with healthcare increasing in salience this month (+3).
• The Republican Party approval rating is at 48% (+4 pts., Jan. 2026), while the Democratic Party approval rating is at 45% (+1). Congressional approval is at 34% (+2).

FAVORABLE RESPONSE TO STATE OF THE UNION WITH NEW TRUMP POLICIES SEEING STRONG SUPPORT

• 47% of voters say they watched the State of the Union address, with 60% who watched at least some of the address having a favorable opinion of it.
• All 11 of Trump's new policies announced in the address received majority support, with the most popular being a stock trading ban on Congressional members (72%), federal accounts for employees without retirement plans (70%), a ban preventing single-family home purchases from Wall Street firms (69%), and a most-favored-nation drug pricing deal (68%).
• 52% of voters say it was appropriate for some Democrats to boycott the address, but 57% say their booing and jeering was inappropriate.
• 33% of voters watched the Democratic rebuttal speech by Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger, with 61% who watched at least some of the speech having a favorable opinion of it.

REPUBLICANS GAIN EDGE POST-EXPOSURE TO PARTY MESSAGING IF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS WERE HELD TODAY

• Voters are split 50-50 on which party they would vote for if the congressional election were held today (Republicans +4 pts., Jan. 2026).
• When given statements about party messaging, Republican messaging on responsible governance via curbed spending, closed borders, and reduced crime resonates most, with more than 2 in 5 voters, a plurality, saying the messages make them more likely to vote Republican.
• Anti-Trump messaging from Democrats is more effective than affordability messaging, with 61% of voters saying messages on stopping Trump and his tariffs are believable. However, the message only delivers a net +2 boost in likely vote choice toward Democrats.
• After exposure to each party's messaging, 51% of voters say they are more likely to vote for a Republican for Congress than a Democrat. The Republican lead grows to 4 pts. among likely voters.

VOTERS AGREE WITH SUPREME COURT RULING AGAINST TRUMP'S TARIFFS

• 65% of voters agree with the Supreme Court's ruling limiting Trump's power to impose global tariffs without congressional approval, including a majority across political parties.
• 62% of voters say fentanyl/drug trafficking and large U.S. trade deficits are real issues and emergencies facing the country (Democrats: 43%; Republicans: 81%; Independents: 59%), but 42%, a plurality, say the president should not have authority to impose tariffs in non-emergency situations.
• 56% of voters oppose Trump's new 15% global tariff after the Supreme Court ruling.
• 51% of voters oppose Trump's tariffs imposed last year, with 54% saying the tariffs went too far.

MOST VOTERS BACK THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, BELIEVING ONLY U.S. CITIZENS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE

• 58% of voters believe there is at least some voter fraud in U.S. elections, particularly among Republicans (77%) and Independents (58%), despite 60% saying the elections are generally secure.
• 85% of voters say only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote, including a strong majority across political parties.
• 71% of voters support the SAVE America Act (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 91%; Independents: 69%), with 54% prioritizing stopping voter fraud over access concerns for eligible citizens.
• The majority of voters support specific requirements of the Act, including proof of citizenship (75%), voter ID (81%), states removing non-citizens from voter rolls (80%), and states sharing redacted voting rolls with the Department of Homeland Security (61%).
• 73% of voters say we should have a national law requiring all ballots to be counted within 24 hours of Election Day.
• 68% of voters support early voting, including a majority across political parties.

AMERICANS ARE OVERWHLEMINGLY PRO-FREE ENTERPRISE

• 76% of voters say America should be run as a free enterprise country, including a strong majority across political parties, and 78% believe they have a better life under such a system.
• 59% say capitalism is a better economic system than socialism (Democrats: 46%; Republicans: 74%; Independents: 57%).
• 91% of voters support private homeownership, private property rights, and freedom of opinion. 84% believe grocery stores should be privately run.
• 65% of voters believe the people own their own houses, not the state, under socialism, including a majority across political parties.
• 52% of voters say teachers' unions are heavily involved in politics, with most viewing them as in the political center (41%) or left-leaning (37%). 60% say they should not be involved in political issues (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 63%; Independents: 66%).

MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR TRUMP'S GAZA DEAL

• 73% of voters support Trump's deal to secure the safe return of Israeli hostages and end hostilities in Gaza (+6), including a majority across political parties and age groups.
• 71% of voters continue to support Israel over Hamas in the conflict.

MORE VOTERS SUPPORT MADURO'S ARREST VERSUS LAST MONTH, WANT MORE AGGRESSIVE U.S. STANCE AGAINST DICTATORS AND DRUG CARTELS

• 59% of voters support the arrest of Nicolás Maduro (+5), with 58% saying his removal was in the national interest of the U.S. (+7; Democrats: 41%; Republicans: 79%; Independents: 52%).
• 54% of voters say the U.S. should try to fix the Venezuelan oil industry (-3), though 51% say the U.S. is not entitled to proceeds.
• 62% of voters believe pushing Venezuela towards a democratic transition should be a key priority for the Trump administration, including a majority across political parties.
• 67% of voters say the U.S. should take a more aggressive stand in our hemisphere against leaders propped up by drug cartels, and 62% support a U.S. maximum pressure campaign on the government of Mexico to fight drug cartels.
• 66% of voters think the U.S. should take a more aggressive stance against dictators propped up by Russia and China (+5).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS WANT THE U.S. TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING UKRAINE

• 66% of voters say Trump should continue to provide weapons to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia, including a majority across political parties.
• 63% of voters say Ukraine should receive direct security guarantees from the U.S. if it makes concessions to end the war.
• 51% of voters support Trump's handling of the Ukraine-Russia conflict so far.

The February Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on February 25-26, 2026, among 1,999 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

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The Numbers are Clear: Latest Iteration of Stagwell's News Advertising Study Shows Germans Love Their News

Stagwell, Axel Springer, Teads and The Trade Desk partner on German News Advertising Study, drawing insights from over 11,000 respondents

Study finds the proportion of 'news junkies' in Germany is highest of all the surveyed markets

02/19/2026 - Second paragraph of article updated to include HarrisX mention

BERLIN, GERMANY / ACCESS Newswire / February 18, 2026 / Stagwell, the global challenger network transforming marketing through AI, released the latest installment of its News Advertising Study in partnership with Axel Springer, Teads and The Trade Desk.

The survey, conducted by Stagwell's research consultancy HarrisX and fielded among 11,282 adults in Germany, builds on Stagwell's prior News Advertising studies conducted in Asia Pacific, Canada, the U.S. and UK. This regional study further reinforces it is safe for brands to advertise adjacent to quality news content agnostic of the topic.

"The Future of News research for the German market illustrates how important it is for brands to advertise in quality news publications. Germany has a 10-percentage point higher share of news enthusiasts than other markets, and it is a missed opportunity for brands not to invest in that high value audience due to misunderstood brand safety concerns," said James Townsend, CEO of Stagwell EMEA.

Key Findings Include:

• 81% of German adults are active news readers.
• 35% of German adults are 'news junkies,' checking the news an average of 7.2 times per day and reading an average of 10.3 news articles per day (vs. 25% in the UK and USA, where news junkies check news 4.4 times per day and read an average of 6.2 news articles per day).
• The proportion of ‘exclusive news junkies' in Germany (18%) is by far the highest of all the surveyed markets including Asia Pacific (9%), Canada (11%), the U.S. (11%) and UK (10%).
• German adults are more likely to follow news closely (35%) than they are sports (25%) and entertainment (15%).
• Among German consumers, average purchase intent is virtually identical regardless of context: 66% next to political or crime coverage versus 67% next to sports and entertainment. The difference is there is no penalty for advertising alongside hard news.
• There are no brand safety issues among key demographic groups for advertisers, including Gen Z, Millennials, high earners and university-educated Germans.

"Brands that avoid news aren't protecting themselves. They're making themselves invisible. 81% of Germans actively and regularly consume news, and more than one third do so very intensively," said Christoph Eck-Schmidt, CCO & CMO of Axel Springer.

The findings were released at the annual Media Leaders event in Berlin, hosted by W&V and Axel Springer. Leaders from Axel Springer, The Trade Desk, Teads, Deutsche Telekom AG and Stagwell's media and data intelligence platform, UNICEPTA discussed the importance of advertising in news in front of 50 of the regions' industry leading CEOs and CMOs.

"When brands step away from news, they unintentionally fuel a vicious cycle that weakens journalism and public trust," said Stephanie Himoff, Chief Commercial Supply Officer, Teads. "The Stagwell research findings show the opposite is also true: advertising alongside quality news supports independent reporting, reaches highly engaged audiences, and delivers strong brand outcomes."

"As the digital advertising landscape evolves, the evidence is undeniable: where a brand appears is just as crucial to campaign success as precise targeting. Stagwell's Future of News study, supported by The Trade Desk, shows clearly that advertising in premium news environments is both brand-safe and highly effective across every topic, from politics to entertainment and business," said Jan Vorndamm, Senior Director of Inventory Partnerships, The Trade Desk. "By shifting investment toward quality journalism, brands can drive business results while contributing to a healthy and sustainable media ecosystem."

To learn more about the Future of News and explore the research, visit: https://www.stagwellglobal.com/future-of-news/ and reach out to futureofnews@stagwellglobal.com with any questions.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the global challenger network transforming marketing through AI. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Read Full Study Here: Stagwell

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HarrisX Super Bowl LX Ad Ranking: Lay’s "Last Harvest" Is America's Favorite Super Bowl 2026 Ad

Ring, Pepsi, Google, and the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate round out the top five.

Modern Americana and family-centered storytelling rise to the top

Pringles and Sabrina Carpenter win big among Gen Z.

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2026 -- Nearly 138 million Americans tuned in to Super Bowl LX, making it the most-watched moment in U.S. television history and the biggest night for advertisers competing for attention and impact. Some ads made viewers laugh, others made them feel, while a few made them think. In the end, Lay’s “Last Harvest” emerged as America’s favorite Super Bowl LX ad, according to the 2026 HarrisXSuper Bowl Ad Ranking.

“Last Harvest,” a multigenerational story centered on a farming family and the passing of a potato farm from father to daughter, earned the highest HarrisX Ad Index score, with a 93.2 out of 100. The ad performed strongly across key metrics, with 92% of respondents liking the spot, 90% finding it memorable, and 71% saying it made them more likely to buy Lay’s chips.

HarrisX Super Bowl Ad Ranking: Top 10 Ads

1. Lay’s — “Last Harvest” (93.2): An emotional, multigenerational story about family, legacy, and continuity.

2. Ring — “Be a Hero in Your Neighborhood” (91.8): A community-focused ad highlighting an AI-powered feature to help reunite lost pets with their owners.

3. Pepsi — “The Choice” (87.2): A humor-driven, playful spot built around brand contrast.

4. Google — “New Home” (86.8): An emotional narrative centered on life transitions and the everyday role AI can play during moments of change.

5. Blue Square Alliance Against Hate — “Sticky Note” (85.4): A minimalist, personal message confronting antisemitism and hate.

6. Dove — “The Game Is Ours” (85.0): A purpose-driven ad focused on confidence, inclusion, and girls’ participation in sports.

7. Novartis — “Relax Your Tight End” (83.8): A humor-led public health message encouraging prostate cancer screening.

8. Budweiser — “American Icons” (83.6): A heritage-focused spot connecting brand legacy with American symbolism.

9. Xfinity — “Jurassic Park… Works” (82.5): A nostalgia-driven ad leveraging a classic film franchise to highlight reliability.

10. NFL — “You Are Special” (82.0): A purpose-led message centered on youth, encouragement, and community impact.

“The strongest Super Bowl ads this year weren’t trying to do the most — they were trying to connect,” said HarrisX CEO Dritan Nesho. “Whether through family storytelling, social impact, or disciplined humor, the top-ranked ads showed that clarity and emotional relevance still win on the biggest advertising stage. Resonant, purpose-driven, and easy-to-understand creatives consistently outperform advertising that relies on novelty or complexity alone.”

The 2026 HarrisX Super Bowl Ad Ranking is based on a nationally representative study of more than 9,700 U.S. adults, conducted using the HarrisX Ad Index methodology.  

Each ad was assessed individually by more than 500 respondents across eight core advertising metrics, including appeal, believability, clarity, memorability, likelihood to share, comparability to other TV ads, impact on the advertiser’s reputation, and the ad’s specific call to action. Performance across these measures is combined into a composite score, which is then indexed using a proprietary methodology to produce a 0–100 HarrisX Ad Index score.

All 70 ads included in the ranking were evaluated using this framework, allowing for direct comparison of creative effectiveness and brand impact across the full ad lineup.

“We have tested more than 1,000 ads using the HarrisX Ad Index methodology, including hundreds of Super Bowl spots, giving us a consistent lens on performance over time,” said Dom Bartkus, Managing Director of Brand and Corporate Reputation at HarrisX. “This year’s results reinforce that emotionally grounded storytelling continues to outperform, while audience differences, particularly among Gen Z, meaningfully shape which Super Bowl ads break through.”

Key advertising trends from the 2026 HarrisX Super Bowl Ad Ranking:

Modern Americana and Family-Centered Storytelling Rise to the Top

The highest-performing ads of Super Bowl LX leaned into emotionally grounded, human stories, using familiar moments to connect with viewers. Spots from Lay’s, Ring, and Google centered on family, community, and everyday life, favoring warmth and emotional resonance over spectacle.

Several top-ranking ads also drew on Americana themes, from farming and generational legacy in Lay’s “Last Harvest,” to neighborhood trust in Ring’s “Be a Hero in Your Neighborhood,” to homeownership and family transition in Google’s “New Home.” Budweiser leaned into American symbolism by pairing its iconic Clydesdale horses with a bald eagle, reinforcing the brand’s heritage and identity.

Purpose-Driven and Social Impact Ads Continue to Perform Strongly

Mission-led messaging once again proved to be a powerful driver of ad performance. Five of the Top 10 ads in the HarrisX Super Bowl Ad Ranking focused on themes such as public health, inclusion, and combating hate, closely mirroring last year’s results, when six of the Top 10 ads delivered social or civic messaging.

Spots from the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, Dove, Novartis, the NFL, and Ring all placed inside the Top 10, reinforcing that viewers continue to reward clear, authentic social impact messages.  

Notably, both the NFL and Novartis earned Top 10 placements for the second consecutive year, establishing them as two of the most successful Super Bowl advertisers in corporate and social messaging.

Gen Z Proves to Be a Distinct Audience, with Pringles Winning Big

Gen Z once again stood out in how it responded to Super Bowl LX advertising. While Lay’s was the clear top performer overall — ranking first among Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers — it placed fourth among Gen Z.

Instead, Pringles and its ad “Pringleleo,” starring Sabrina Carpenter, emerged as the clear winner with Gen Z. The playful, surreal spot features Carpenter creating the “perfect man” out of Pringles chips and earned a score of 94.8 among Gen Z viewers, despite ranking just 22nd overall with a score of 78.5.

More broadly, Gen Z’s preferences differed sharply from the general audience. Beyond Pringles, five more of Gen Z’s top-performing ads did not rank in the overall Top 15, including spots from NERDS, Uber Eats, Bud Light, Frank’s RedHot, and Ferrero Kinder Bueno.

The results reinforce that Gen Z responds to a distinct creative playbook, driven by cultural relevance, tone, and authenticity.

Pepsi Wins the Night in Competitive, Humor-Driven Marketing

Several advertisers used Super Bowl LX to draw contrast with competitors, often relying on humor to make the point. This approach worked best when the competitive message was clear and the brand stayed front and center.

Pepsi’s “The Choice” was the strongest example, placing third in the ranking. The spot used playful contrast to reinforce Pepsi’s positioning without losing clarity, helping it resonate broadly with viewers.

Other contrast-driven ads delivered more mixed results. State Farm’s “Stop Livin’ on a Prayer” finished 34^th overall, while Anthropic’s “Can I Get a Six Pack Quickly?” ranked 67^th, with 42% of respondents finding the spot confusing.

Ring and Google Win the “AI Ad Bowl” by Positioning the Technology as a Force for Good
Artificial intelligence was one of the most prominent themes of Super Bowl LX advertising, but the HarrisX ranking suggests that how AI was framed mattered far more than the technology itself.  

The highest-performing AI-driven ads — Ring’s “Be a Hero in Your Neighborhood” and Google Gemini’s “New Home” — succeeded by centering AI around clear, human use cases, positioning the technology as a practical tool that helps people, strengthens communities, and supports meaningful life moments.

By contrast, AI struggled elsewhere in the Super Bowl lineup. Five of the seven lowest-performing ads in the ranking were AI-focused, coming from OpenAI, Anthropic, ai.com, Salesforce, and Genspark AI.  

These ads focused more on the technology itself than on how it helps people in real life; a contrast to the AI spots that resonated by showing clear, human benefits.

Public Interest Ads Show Cross-Partisan Appeal

Super Bowl LX also featured public interest and policy-focused ads that, while not placing among the top-tier performers in the ranking, demonstrated broad appeal across partisan lines.

The ad from MAHA Center Inc., featuring Mike Tyson, ranked 31st overall with a score of 75.1. The spot resonated across the political spectrum, with 74% of Americans liking the ad, including 80% of Republicans, 72% of Democrats, and 68% of Independents.

Similarly, the Invest America ad promoting Trump Accounts ranked 44th overall with a score of 70.1. Despite its mid-tier placement, the ad was liked by 75% of Americans overall, including 85% of Republicans, 71% of Democrats, and 70% of Independents.

Together, these results highlight that public interest advertising can cut across partisan lines when the message connects broadly with viewers.

How the Top 30 Super Bowl LX Ads Ranked Across Key Audiences

Methodology:

The 2026 HarrisX Super Bowl Ad Ranking is based on a nationally representative study of 9,707 U.S. adults conducted as part of the HarrisX Ad Index. Respondents were shown up to five randomly selected Super Bowl LX ads and asked to evaluate each spot individually across eight key measures of creative effectiveness and brand impact, including appeal, believability, clarity, memorability, likelihood to share, comparability to other TV ads, impact on the advertiser’s reputation, and the ad’s specific call to action. Each ad was evaluated by more than 500 respondents, with results combined into a proprietary 0–100 HarrisX Ad Index score.

About HarrisX

HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a strategic research and advisory firm that delivers clear, data-driven answers to complex and pressing questions faced by corporate, political and government clients. Powered by proprietary technology and a campaign-style approach, we move fast, cut through the noise, and surface insights that drive real-world impact. With offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, we advise Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Named one of top and most accurate pollsters of the 2020 and 2024 U.S. presidential elections, HarrisX doesn't just deliver data — we deliver confident decisions.

NEW YORK, NY AND SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 9, 2026 / Stagwell, the global challenger network transforming marketing through AI, made a major impact during Super Bowl LX, with its agencies delivering standout commercials during the Big Game for clients including e.l.f. Beauty, Grubhub, Kinder Bueno, Liquid I.V., and the National Football League (NFL).

Beyond the game itself, Stagwell agencies drove buzz with high-profile brand activations, cultural moments, and off-field campaigns across Super Week, supporting clients such as Don Julio, Frank's RedHot, Meta Reality Labs, Perdue, Starbucks, Target and more. On air during the Big Game, Stagwell's creative work earned significant recognition, with 2 commercials landing among the top 10 highest-rated ads in the USA TODAY Ad Meter.

In the days leading up to Super Bowl LX, SPORT BEACH convened industry leaders, athletes, creators, and brands at the SPORT BEACH Clubhouse in San Francisco, built in partnership with TEAM, for conversations and experiences shaping the future of sports marketing.

"I'm proud of the incredible work done by our teams and agencies at Stagwell, and it shows that the combination of the best in creativity and technology is the winning formula for the future," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell. "We punched 10 times over our weight at the Super Bowl with 10% or more of the ads."

Super Bowl Advertising Spotlight

• e.l.f. Beauty "Melisa" - 72andSunny created a telenovela-style Super Bowl campaign for e.l.f. Beauty starring Melissa McCarthy, playing up melodrama and pop-culture timing just ahead of Bad Bunny's halftime show. The spot humorously follows McCarthy's frantic preparation for the year's biggest reggaetón moment-complete with exaggerated twists and gasps-where her unlikely hero is e.l.f.'s Glow Reviver Lip Oil. Alongside 72andSunny, HarrisX partnered with e.l.f. Beauty to unite the campaign's bold creative vision with a data-driven strategy. From early-stage concept and script validation through final spot testing, HarrisX helped ensure the telenovela-style campaign resonated with consumers-especially e.l.f. customers-while advising on how the creative could be deployed most effectively to cut through on the Super Bowl stage.

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HarrisX is launching its 2026 Super Bowl Ad Index, building on more than five years of Super Bowl measurement. HarrisX is conducting some of the most comprehensive ad testing around the Big Game, surveying nearly 10,000 Americans to assess the creative performance and brand impact of every Super Bowl spot using the proprietary HarrisX Ad Index-making it one of the most in-depth evaluations of advertising on the Super Bowl stage. Last year's HarrisX Ad Index crowned NFL's "Somebody" spot as America's favorite Super Bowl ad, which went on to win a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Public Service Content. Altogether, HarrisX has tested and indexed over 1,000 (and counting) culture-defining ads toward which new creative and ad concepts can be benchmarked and compared.

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To learn more about Stagwell's presence at Super Bowl LX, visit www.stagwellglobal.com.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the global challenger network transforming marketing through AI. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

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Americans’ dislike for ICE hits new low — and only China, Hamas and Russia are hated more: poll

By Geoff Earle

Only China, Russia and Hamas get lower favorability ratings than the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a new Harvard/Harris poll reveals.

ICE has just 34% favorability, and an unfavorable rating of 50%, according to the poll, which was released last week in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

Read The Full Survey Here : https://harvardharrispoll.com/

Read The Full Article Here : https://nypost.com/2026/02/07/us-news/ice-sinking-favorability-puts-it-down-with-china-russia-and-hamas/

The Super Bowl halftime show is a platform for firsts and historically knows how to stir debate! This year the conversation is all about the first Spanish-only Super Bowl halftime show, and will Bad Bunny provoke a political fight with his performance or let the music do the talking.

Here's what we found when we polled Americans ahead of the big event to get a temperature check:

Americans are Split on a Spanish-Only Super Bowl Halftime Show

• 55% of Americans say a Super Bowl halftime show should mostly be in English so it feels accessible to viewers who do not speak Spanish
• 45% say Bad Bunny’s Spanish-only performance will make the Super Bowl feel more culturally authentic and modern
  

The data looks very different among some demographic groups:

73% of Bad Bunny fans, 65% of Latinos, and 59% of Gen Zs say a Spanish-only halftime show feels more authentic and modern

Americans Want Music, But Expect Bad Bunny to Send a Political Message

• 71% of Americans say Bad Bunny should focus on music during the Super Bowl halftime show
• 53%, however, expect he will make a political or social statement anyway
  

This gap narrows among some groups:

• 48% of Bad Bunny Fans say he should include a political or social message, and 51% expect he will
• 46% of Gen Zs also say he should make a statement and 54% expect one

The takeaway is clear. Americans want an inclusive and accessible half time show and entertainment first ... while Bad Bunny’s fans and younger viewers give him far more permission to go beyond the music.

See the link above to view the full findings from this latest poll.

'Surround the polls': ICE will patrol elections, ex-Trump aide says

By Phillip M. Bailey

USA TODAY

President Trump called for the Republican party and the federal government to take control of local elections as polls show Democrats could retake the House of Representatives in November.

Democrats have expanded their lead in the generic congressional ballot to 52%-48%, a Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll taken Jan. 28 and 29 found.

Read Full Article Here: USATODAY.com

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Most voters say Trump doing worse than Biden as president: Poll

By Max Rego

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A January survey from Harvard University and The Harris Poll found that a slight majority of respondents believe that former President Biden was more effective than President Trump.

The poll, released Monday, found that 51 percent of respondents said Trump is doing a worse job than Biden, while 49 percent said the president is doing a better job than his predecessor. The same survey conducted in December found that 53 percent of respondents said Trump is faring better than Biden did.

The Harvard-Harris poll was conducted online with 2,000 registered voters from Jan. 28-29. It has a margin of error of 1.99 percentage points.

Read The Full Survey Here : https://harvardharrispoll.com/

Read The Full Article Here : https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5721162-biden-trump-effectiveness-survey/

Vance, Rubio, Newsom, Harris: New Poll Reveals The Latest 2028 Standings

By ForbesTV

On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll showing voters' attitudes to key Trump Administration actions, and the 2028 standings in the potential Republican and Democratic primaries.

Watch the full conversation above.

Visit Forbes.com

Donald Trump Approval Rating Falls Across Every Major Issue in New Poll

By Sam Stevenson

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Trump’s overall job approval slipped to 45 percent in January, down from 47 percent in December, with ratings declining across key issues including the economy, immigration, and foreign affairs, according to the latest Harvard CAPS/Harris poll.

The survey, conducted online January 28–29, 2026, polled 2,000 registered voters nationwide. It carries a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points and is a long‑running collaboration between the Harvard Center for American Political Studies, The Harris Poll, and HarrisX.

Read Full Article Here: Newsweek.com

Majority of Americans Say Economy Worse Off Under Trump Than Biden

By Sam Stevenson

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The late‑January survey—conducted online January 28–29, 2026, among 2,000 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX—shows 53 percent of voters believe the economy is worse today than it was under Biden, while 47 percent say it is better, a three‑point slide for Trump since December.

With a margin of error of plus or minus 1.99 percentage points, the shift is subtle but statistically meaningful, hinting at a gradual cooling of the optimism that marked Trump’s first months back in office.

Read The Full Article Here: Newsweek.com

New Poll Shows Top 2028 Presidential Candidates

By Anna Commander

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A new Harvard Harris poll released this week shows the potential top candidates for 2028, with former Vice President Kamala Harris leading Democrats and Vice President JD Vance outpacing the Republican field.

The poll surveyed 2,000 registered voters on January 28 and January 29 and has a margin of error of 1.99 percent.

Read The Full Article : Newsweek.com

January Harvard Caps / Harris Poll: Trump Approval Drops 2 Pts. With 57% of Voters Saying ICE And CBP Have Gone too Far

Monday, 02 February 2026 12:35 PM

Topic: Company Update

55% OF VOTERS DISAPPROVE OF HOW IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE ENFORCING LAWS IN U.S. CITIES, WITH 40% STRONGLY DISAPPROVING

80% OF VOTERS WANT ICE AND CBP TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES DURING ENFORCEMENT, AND 86% OF VOTERS SUPPORT BODY CAMERA REQUIREMENTS FOR AGENTS

67% WANT LOCAL OFFICIALS TO COOPERATE WITH FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO DEPORT CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

63% OF VOTERS ATTRIBUTE THE ECONOMY TO TRUMP OVER BIDEN, AN 11-PT. INCREASE, WITH VIEWS OF THE ECONOMY SPLIT

55% OF VOTERS SAY TRUMP POLICIES HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH CAMPAIGN PROMISES, AND 54% SAY TRUMP HAS ACCOMPLISHED A LOT IN HIS FIRST YEAR; 15 OF 22 KEY TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO RECEIVE MAJORITY SUPPORT

DEMOCRATS HOLD AN 8-POINT LEAD IN THE 2026 MIDTERM GENERIC BALLOT AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS, AND 4-POINTS AMONG LIKELY VOTERS

64% OF VOTERS WANT DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION IN VENEZUELA TO BE A KEY PRIORITY FOR ADMINISTRATION

59% OF VOTERS SAY THE U.S. SHOULD SUPPORT IRAN REGIME CHANGE

69% OF VOTERS SAY MAINTAINING NATO IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ACQUIRING GREENLAND

NEW YORK, NY AND CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / February 2, 2026 / Stagwell (NASDAQ:STGW) today released the results of the January Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump's approval rating is at 45%, down 2 points from December with a small decline across each policy area. Trump's job approval is highest on his response to anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis (51%) and fighting crime in America's cities (47%), and lowest on handling inflation (39%) and tariffs and trade policy (39%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on immigration policy, Minnesota, the economy, political factions, Venezuela, Greenland and NATO, the Israel-Hamas conflict, Iran, and the war in Ukraine. Download the key results here.

"President Trump's ratings are slowing declining with Americans seeing the economy sagging and inflation raging, even though economic statistics show the opposite," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "On immigration, the public supports removing criminal aliens but believe that ICE has gone too far and is randomly picking up migrants, a policy they do not support. Given these two trends, Republicans are now facing a tough midterm election."

IMMIGRATION INCHES INTO VOTERS' TOP TWO CONCERNS ALONGSIDE THE ECONOMY

49% of voters say the U.S. economy is strong (+2, Dec. 2025).

The Republican Party approval rating is at 44% (-2), while the Democratic Party approval rating is at 44% (+3). Congressional approval is at 32% (-3).

Inflation and immigration are the nation's top two most important issues today, according to American voters. 33% of voters say inflation is the most important issue (-3, Dec. 2025), and 29% of voters say immigration (+3).

Among key American institutions and federal agencies, voters have the highest net favorable view of the U.S. Military (+58 net favorable) and the police (+35) and the least favorable view of ICE (-16).

DEMOCRATS HAVE EDGE IF CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS WERE HELD TODAY

74% of voters say they will definitely or probably vote in the 2026 Congressional midterm elections (Definitely: Democrats: 69%; Republicans: 66%; Independents: 43%).

54% of voters say they would vote for a Democrat if the congressional election was held today, an 8-pt. lead over Republicans. The lead narrows to 4 pts. among likely voters.

MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR AS VOTERS CREDIT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR

55% of voters say Trump's policies have been consistent with campaign promises, and 54% say he has accomplished a lot in his first year.

49% of voters, a plurality, say Trump's policies thus far have set America on a worse path. 49% say Trump is doing a better job than Biden (-4).

15 of 22 key Trump policies continue to see majority support. His most popular policies are lowering prescription drug prices (83% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (73%), eliminating fraud in government expenditures (70%), and capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year (69%).

Trump's least popular policies include hiring an additional 20,000 border patrol and ICE agents to conduct immigration raids (43%), Medicaid cost cuts (44%), and withdrawing from international organizations (46%).

55% of voters say Trump is making bad deals on behalf of the country (+4).

VOTERS BELIEVE ICE AND CBP SHOULD FOCUS ON IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES

55% of voters disapprove of how immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and Border Patrol (CBP) are enforcing laws in U.S. cities, with 40% strongly disapproving. 57% say ICE and CBP have gone too far.

67% of voters say local officials should cooperate with federal immigration authorities on deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.

60% of voters believe Democratic officials have been encouraging resistance to ICE, with 57% opposing elected officials who do so.

The majority of voters say ICE should not be allowed to conduct raids at schools or daycare (72%), on the street without a warrant (68%), and at workplaces (56%). 56% of voters believe ICE has been taking people randomly off the street (Democrats: 76%; Republicans: 37%; Independents: 57%).

44% of voters, a plurality, say ICE officers should only go after individuals who have committed crimes rather than performing sweeps of places with many illegal immigrants (Democrats: 58%; Republicans: 26%; Independents: 50%).

Voters across political parties strongly support deporting illegal and legal immigrants who have committed a serious crime but are split on deporting other undocumented immigrants who do not have criminal records and generally do not support deportations of those who have lived in the U.S. for years, arrived as a child, or committed a minor infraction.

MAJORITY BELIEVE ICE AND CBP HAVE GONE TOO FAR IN MINNEAPOLIS; WANT AGENTS TO WEAR BODY CAMERAS AND IDENTIFY THEMSELVES

58% of voters say ICE and CBP have been using too much force in Minneapolis.

56% say ICE is not justified in arresting U.S. citizens it believes are interfering with enforcement efforts. 62% say it is violating American civil liberties.

62% of voters believe ICE was too quick to escalate situations leading to the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

59% of voters, including a majority across political parties, believe the Trump administration is doubling down on its actions in Minneapolis rather than de-escalating and changing course.

55% of voters support Congressional Republicans withholding funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the upcoming government funding bill, but 53% do not support Democrats withholding votes and triggering another government shutdown.

80% of voters say ICE and CBP should be required to identify themselves when conducting enforcement activities, and 86% say agents should wear body cameras, including a strong majority across political parties.

55% of voters say ICE incidents should be investigated by federal agencies like the FBI and DHS rather than local authorities.

MORE VOTERS ATTRIBUTE ECONOMY TO TRUMP OVER BIDEN

63% of voters say the current state of the economy is mostly due to the Trump administration rather than Biden (+11). 53% say it is worse than it was when Biden was president.

56% of voters say the economy is shrinking, and 66% say inflation is above 3% (-5), including a majority across political parties.

52% of voters, a strong plurality across political parties, say the economy was last "good" in 2020 before the pandemic (+3).

60% of voters favor economic policies of reduced government spending, lower taxes, tougher trade deals, lower prescription drug costs, and a closed border (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 68%; Independents: 62%).

VOTERS WANT NEXT PRESIDENT TO GOVERN FROM THE CENTER RIGHT

58% of voters say the Republican Party is run by far-right politicians, while 52% say the Democratic Party is run by moderates.

55% of voters say Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mayor Zohran Mamdani would be a danger to the country if elected to higher office. 62% say the same about Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.

44%, a plurality, believe Trump governs from the far right. 44% want their next president to govern from the center right.

Democrats favor Kamala Harris (39%) followed by Gavin Newsom (30%) as their next candidate for President, while Republicans overwhelmingly favor J.D. Vance (53%) as their next presidential candidate.

DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION IN VENEZUELA SHOULD BE KEY PRIORITY FOR TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

54% of voters approve of the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (Democrats: 40%; Republicans: 75%; Independents: 46%), with 72% believing he led a dictatorship.

59% of voters say it was in the national interest of the U.S. to remove Maduro from office (-7), but voters are split on whether it violated the U.S. Constitution and international law.

64% of voters believe pushing Venezuela towards a democratic transition should be a key priority for the Trump administration, including a majority across political parties.

57% of voters say the U.S. should try to fix the Venezuelan oil industry so that it is profitable for the Venezuelan people. 53% say the U.S. is not entitled to any oil proceeds.

61% of voters say the U.S. should take a more aggressive stand against narco trafficking dictators around the world. 56% are not worried about the U.S. being drawn into a war with Venezuelan troops.

VOTERS PRIORITIZE NATO OVER ACQUIRING GREENLAND BUT SUPPORT TRUMP'S SENTIMENT OF RESETTING U.S.-EUROPEAN RELATIONSHIPS

60% of voters say the U.S. should not try to obtain Greenland (Democrats: 78%; Republicans: 39%; Independents: 65%).

62% of voters believe the U.S. should demand a vote for Greenland residents to decide if they want to remain part of Denmark or become a U.S. territory.

53% of voters say Trump's statements on Greenland are an unnecessary escalation with allies and risk unraveling NATO. 69% say maintaining NATO is more important for U.S. security than acquiring strategic territory.

62% of voters support Trump resetting U.S.-European relationships, with 56% believing European nations are failing to spend adequately on their defense.

59% of voters interpret "America First" as limiting foreign interventions, including a majority across political parties. 53% support pulling back from international organizations and focusing on national interests.

BOARD OF PEACE SEES SUPPORT; VOTERS WANT PALESTINIAN INVOLVEMENT IN RECONSTRUCTION OF GAZA

72% of voters continue to support Israel over Hamas.

67% of voters support Trump's deal to secure the safe return of Israeli hostages and end hostilities in Gaza.

55% of voters support Trump launching the Board of Peace to fundraise for and oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. Voters are split on whether successful reconstruction requires Israel's involvement, while 58% of voters say it requires Palestinian involvement.

57% of voters see Israel's criticism of the Board of Peace as a symptom of politics rather than a serious rift between Trump and Israel.

65% of voters believe Hamas is rearming, including a majority across political parties (-3), despite 77% saying Hamas disarming should be a deal requirement. 48% of voters, a plurality, say Arab government should be responsible for ensuring Hamas disarms.

BROAD SUPPORT FOR REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN

59% of voters say the US should support regime change in Iran, including a majority across political parties. But 71% do not support a U.S. air strike in response to the regime killing protestors.

67% of voters believe the Iranian people do not support the Iranian regime run by the Ayatollah.

53% of voters say taking down the Iranian regime would more likely open the door to peace in the Middle East (Democrats: 42%; Republicans: 65%; Independents: 50%).

70% of voters believe Iran is rebuilding its nuclear capability.

CONTINUED MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR U.S. PROVIDING WEAPONS TO UKRAINE

67% of voters say the Trump administration should continue to provide weapons to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia, including a majority across political parties (+2).

66% of voters say Ukraine should receive direct security guarantees from the U.S. if it makes concessions to end the war with Russia (+2).

54% of voters say Ukraine making territorial concessions to Russia will allow the country and the world to move forward in peace (-2), while others believe it will create a bad precedent.

The January Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on January 28-29, 2026, among 2,000 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics. Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

SOURCE: Stagwell

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Study Shows Faith On Screen Can Win Over Audiences — Even The Non-Religious

Published on January 28, 2026

By Carrie Collins

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The Faith & Media Initiative (FAMI) unveiled findings from its 2026 Faith & Entertainment Index, a first-of-its-kind research project conducted in partnership with research consultancy HarrisX that measures how audiences actually respond to portrayals of faith on screen.

The study is based on more than 12,000 interviews with Americans reacting to more than 100 faith-related scenes from contemporary film and television, alongside an analysis of more than 38,000 related social media comments.

According to the study, 92% of entertainment consumers — representing approximately 180 million potential viewers — say that faith has a role to play in modern entertainment.

Read Full Article: starmagazine.com

Viewers want faith in films, TV. A new study provides a road map for writers, directors, producers

By Tad Walch

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• First, the HarrisX researchers used first-of-its-kind evaluation tools to identify the 10 faith-related TV and movie scenes that resonated most powerfully with audiences.
• Secondly, they created a road map for writers, directors and producers who are learning that most viewers want to see faith portrayed on screen more naturally, more accurately and without stereotyping.

HarrisX showed more than 100 faith-related scenes to more than 12,000 people. Here’s what viewers said about how they want to see faith portrayed

Read The Full Article Here: deseret.com

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MERIT AMERICA AND HARRISX RELEASE NEW, FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND RESEARCH ON LOW-WAGE AMERICANS' ATTITUDES ON AI, HIGHER EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY

NEWS PROVIDED BY HarrisX

New Comprehensive Data Around Artificial Intelligence Specifically from Americans Earning Under $50,000 Annually – a Demographic Likely to be Impacted by Technological Change

Demand for Quality Job Training and Reskilling – Not Future Guaranteed Income or Government Programs – Soars

New Data Shows Affordability Crisis Stopping Americans from Preparing for Artificial Intelligence in the Economy

NEW YORK, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Merit America – a national non-profit that offers fast, flexible training and job search programs for working adults – and HarrisX, a leading U.S.-based public opinion research, data analytics, and strategy consulting company, today released the results of a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind research project that provides comprehensive findings for how low-wage workers view artificial intelligence (AI), higher education, job training, and economic mobility.

The first publicly released research project to focus specifically on low-wage Americans, the HarrisX and Merit America data offers a new, detailed look at how thousands of working Americans across the country are experiencing rapid economic and technological change, their view on the cost-benefit of higher education, and their prospects for economic mobility. The findings show that while opinions on AI vary, many worry it will undermine their job security or force them to change careers. Further, younger workers are also more likely to say the education system isn't preparing people for today's economy, and a majority (62%) also believe the cost of college isn't worth it.

Demand for cutting-edge job training is high, and most low-wage Americans view access to high-quality workforce training programs as an antidote. However, the new research also highlights a link between the affordability crisis – particularly housing costs – and preparation for an AI economy. Record prices and inflation are preventing low-wage Americans from reskilling through participation in workforce training programs. Despite deep concerns about AI and eroding confidence in higher education, 76 percent of low-wage workers said access to job training and reskilling programs would dramatically boost their confidence in their ability to succeed in an AI-powered economy.

A full powerpoint of the results can be found here.

A research memo outlining the results can be found here.

"Across the nation, there is tremendous fear about the impact of artificial intelligence and what it will mean for working Americans, particularly low-wage ones. This data demonstrates it doesn't have to be this way: access to quality training enhances not just confidence that technology can be a force for good, but also improves Americans' personal economic prospects," said Rebecca Taber Staehelin, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Merit America. "America urgently needs to build a rapid reskilling infrastructure that moves as fast as technology disruption. We need a DARPA-like approach to thinking about the future–not a FEMA-like response once economic change has come. There is dramatic demand from the public for scaling up and expanding access to modern, cutting-edge workforce programs, but policymakers just need the vision and the will."

"This new research confirms what we hear every day from the Americans we serve: people want access to high-quality, cutting-edge job training programs. But the affordability crisis is holding them back at the exact time they're being asked to adapt to and prepare for an economy rooted in new technologies. We have a moral imperative as well as an economic obligation to help give Americans access to the training they need – and the situation is urgent," said Connor Diemand-Yauman, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Merit America. "Workers need affordable, efficient, and flexible solutions that fit their lives so they can continue to pay the bills while adding new skills to their professional toolkit."

"This is groundbreaking new research and the first truly in-depth look at how low-wage workers are experiencing both the rise of AI and the mounting affordability crisis," said Dritan Nesho, Founder & CEO of HarrisX. "For the first time, we're hearing directly from workers specifically in this demographic across the nation about what they see as the challenges and opportunities in the AI job market, their views on higher education, and the nexus between inflation and preparation for the future. This data gives policymakers, educators, and employers a clear roadmap for understanding what workers need to navigate a rapidly changing workforce, and develop solutions to meet them where they are."

Notably, the new Merit America-HarrisX data reveal that attitudes toward artificial intelligence are closely correlated to how low-wage workers view other measures of economic mobility and opportunity. Workers who feel positively about AI are significantly more likely to believe hard work leads to a good life and to say the economy is performing well — and the reverse is true for those who feel negatively. However, these attitudes have almost no impact on whether workers expect AI to disrupt their own careers.

Key findings from the HarrisX research on low-wage workers' attitudes towards artificial intelligence, education in America, job training, and the American Dream are below:

Artificial Intelligence

• From low-wage Americans across the nation, views on AI are nearly evenly divided. Forty-eight percent of low-wage workers feel positively or see potential in AI, while 52 percent are unsure or fearful about its impact on their future.
• Yet, job security concerns are widespread. Workers are nearly evenly split on whether AI will take their job: 49 percent say it is likely compared to 51 percent who say it's unlikely. And 70 percent say they would stop the development of job-eliminating AI if they had the power to do so.
• However, workforce training increases confidence. Eighty-six percent would participate in free AI training if it were available, and 76 percent say that access to AI training would make them feel more confident and better prepared to navigate an AI-driven world.

Education in America

• Among low-wage workers with a 4-year degree, 67 percent believe higher education isn't preparing people for today's economy.
• Nearly two-thirds say higher education doesn't offer a good return on investment.
• Workers see job training and reskilling as more effective pathways to mobility — with nearly three-quarters identifying training as the best route to upward mobility compared with traditional higher education.

Job Training

• Interest among low-wage Americans is high. Roughly one-third have participated in a training or certificate program, and another third have considered enrolling.
• Cost remains the primary obstacle to career advancement. Sixty percent of low-wage workers say housing costs alone have prevented them from pursuing job training or education programs. Groceries and personal debt are similarly cited as barriers.
• Workers consistently rank on-the-job training as the most helpful form of upskilling across regions.

Economic Mobility and the American Dream

• Most workers (64 percent) feel the economy has gotten worse, not better. Nearly half (46 percent) expect it to worsen in the coming year.
• Rising costs, especially housing and groceries, are major barriers to their economic stability and mobility.
• Many report delaying major life milestones — like buying a home — or taking on multiple jobs because they cannot achieve the American Dream today.

Insights from Key States and Metro Areas

• Workers in Colorado, Utah, Washington, and Boston are more likely to feel negatively towards AI than in other regions. Desire is highest in Boston (77 percent) to stop the development of AI technology that would take away jobs.
• Workers in New York City (47 percent) and Los Angeles (44 percent) are more likely to see the cost of higher education as worthwhile while workers in Boston (31 percent) are the least likely to see it as worthwhile.
• Interest in pursuing skilled trades or technical jobs is particularly high among low-wage workers in Atlanta (69 percent), and slightly lower in Colorado (52 percent) and Boston (54 percent).

HarrisX surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 low-wage workers in the U.S. from October 28–November 11, 2025. Low-wage workers were defined as adults with a bachelor's degree or less who are employed or actively seeking work and earning under $50,000 per year. The study included oversamples of at least 200 low-wage workers in key states (Colorado, Florida, Texas, Utah, and Washington) and major metro areas (Atlanta, the Bay Area, Boston, Los Angeles, and New York City) weighted down into the base to create a total sample of 3,048 low-wage workers. The survey was administered online, and results were weighted by age, gender, race, and region to match U.S. Census benchmarks. The national sampling margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points, with a larger margin among subgroups.

Merit America and HarrisX partnered on this new research to understand how low-wage workers are thinking about the economy, their financial security and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. Merit America is a national nonprofit that helps workers in low-wage jobs transition into family-sustaining careers at scale, offering fast, flexible programs aligned with in-demand roles across the U.S. economy. Its proven model, designed specifically for working adults, combines specialized career training with personalized support. To date, Merit America has generated more than $1 billion in cumulative wage gains for more than 18,000 learners, making economic mobility a reality for workers nationwide.

The full HarrisX research results are available to view here.

About Merit America
Merit America is a national nonprofit preparing workers stuck in low-wage roles for family-sustaining careers at scale. Named by the New York Times as "the hybrid future of training programs for the disadvantaged," Merit America offers fast and flexible training and job search programs that work for working adults, and are aligned to the most in-demand roles in the fastest-growing sectors of the U.S. economy. Founded in 2018, Merit America has served more than 18,000 learners across the country, and has driven more than an estimated $1 billion in cumulative wage gains. For more information, visit https://meritamerica.org/about/.

About Merit America Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Rebecca Taber Staehelin and Connor Diemand-Yauman
Rebecca Taber Staehelin previously served as Chief Performance Officer at the Delaware Department of Education and Education Advisor to Delaware Governor Jack Markell before joining Coursera, the world's largest online education platform. Connor Diemand-Yauman co-founded and led Philanthropy U, the world's largest trainer of working adults in the social sector, and led Coursera's strategy and business line focused on partnerships. Connor is a lecturer at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, and his academic research on improving learning outcomes has been cited in over 250 academic articles.

About HarrisX
HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a strategic research advisory firm that delivers clear, data-driven answers to our clients' most pressing questions. Powered by proprietary technology and a campaign-style approach, we move fast, cut through the noise, and surface insights that drive real-world impact. With offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, we advise Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Named the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election by The Washington Post and the American Research Group, HarrisX doesn't just deliver data — we deliver confident decisions.

SOURCE HarrisX

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Exclusive: Most lower-wage workers think AI threatens their jobs

By Ashley Gold

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A HarrisX and Merit America poll finds lower-wage workers are largely concerned about job security and economic mobility as AI reshapes the economy.

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• 52% feel negative about AI

• 56% say the U.S. government is not prepared to address AI’s opportunities and challenges

• 70% would stop AI companies from developing technology that could eliminate many jobs

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Methodology: HarrisX and Merit America surveyed 3,048 lower-wage U.S. workers, including those earning under $50,000 annually, online from Oct. 28–Nov. 11, 2025. Margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points.

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Read Full Article Here : Axios.com

More ‘sandwich generation’ Americans feel financially strained by caring for parents

Nearly 70% middle-aged Americans say caring for parents is stretching their finances, FoA survey finds

December 16, 2025, 12:59pm by Flávia Furlan Nunes

Key findings among self-identified sandwich caregivers:

• 86% are emotionally exhausted caring for parents, up from 79% in 2022.
• 80% are physically exhausted caring for parents, up from 71% in 2022.
• 69% feel financially exhausted, up from 64% in 2022.
• 76% struggle with the fears and emotions associated with caring for a parent, up from 70% in 2022. These pressures are largely driven by health concerns.\

This survey by HarrisX was conducted online within the United States from November 29 – December 1, 2025, among 2,009 U.S. adults who are between 40– 60 years old.

Full Article At housingwire.com

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Axios Live: The biggest takeaways from Communicators Live NYC

By Emily Hamilton

In a View From the Top conversation, HarrisX managing director Dom Bartkus and Allison Worldwide executive chair and Stagwell vice chair Ray Day spoke about the rising prevalence of AI in the communications function.

• "95% of organizations say they use AI in communications function, and 96% of those report positive impact. And actually 30% of companies say that [the] majority of their comms work within their organization is already being done by AI. So it's really time to get on that train and not be left behind, but understand how you can still add value as a business leader," Bartkus said.

Read Full Article : axios.com

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Blockchain Association Concludes Record-Breaking 2025 Policy Summit

PRESS RELEASES

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 9, 2025) — Blockchain Association today announced the successful conclusion of its 2025 Policy Summit, the organization’s largest and most comprehensive gathering to date. Drawing a record number of attendees from government and industry, this year’s Summit showcased the growing national momentum behind digital assets and the critical position crypto now holds in U.S. economic and technological policy.

Exclusive Data and Research Insights

Dritan Nesho, Founder & CEO of HarrisX, provided attendees with an exclusive look at polling and research data, and examined voter sentiment on digital assets and more.

About Blockchain Association
Blockchain Association is the unified voice of the cryptocurrency industry. Our members include the sector’s leading investors, companies, and projects, working together to support a future-forward, pro-innovation national policy and regulatory framework for the crypto economy.

Read The Full Press Release: theblockchainassociation.org

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Trump pushes back on affordability criticisms in fiery Pennsylvania speech

BY BRETT SAMUELS 12/09/25 09:01 PM ET

President Trump on Tuesday hit the road to make the case that his policies have helped Americans financially and boosted the economy.

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A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday found 57 percent of voters, including 21 percent of Republicans, thought the president is losing the battle against inflation.

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Read Full Article : thehill.com

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57 percent of voters say Trump is losing battle against inflation: Poll

BY JULIA MUELLER - 12/08/25 11:18 AM ET

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Read Full Article : Thehill.com

More than half of voters say President Trump is losing the battle against inflation amid concerns about affordability under his administration, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll was conducted Dec. 2-4 among 2,204 registered voters by The Harris Poll and Harris X. It is a collaboration of the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and The Harris Poll.

DECEMBER HARVARD CAPS / HARRIS POLL: MOST VOTERS WANT THE U.S. TO SUPPORT ISRAEL AND UKRAINE

News provided by

Stagwell Inc.

Dec 18, 2023, 11:21 ET

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NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the December Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Joe Biden's approval rating is 43% with slight upticks in economic sentiment. The generation gap on the Israel-Hamas war remains prevalent as 81% of all voters but only 50% of 18-24-year-olds side with Israel. The poll also covers public opinion on immigration and the 2024 horse race. Download key results here.

"There is bipartisan consensus among voters on many issues right now, from immigration and increased border security to support for Israel and Ukraine," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "The party that compromises effectively could win over swing voters who remain conflicted between different cross-pressures about the economy and the weaknesses of the leading candidates."

AMERICANS THINK THE U.S. SHOULD SUPPORT BOTH ISRAEL AND UKRAINE

• 65% of voters think the U.S. should be supporting Israel in its war against Hamas; 65% separately think the U.S. should be supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia.
• 54% of voters support giving $14 billion in aid to Israel; 49% support giving an additional $50 billion in aid to Ukraine. Republicans are most likely to support the aid to Israel and Democrats most support aid to Ukraine.
• 65% of voters, including 51% of Democrats, believe the Republicans should hold up aid to both Israel and Ukraine to get additional border security measures.

VOTERS WANT MORE ACTION ON IMMIGRATION

• Biden's approval rating on immigration dropped 8 points to 38% in the last month.
• 57% of voters believe Trump had better immigration policies than Biden.
• Only 8% of voters knew that over 3 million people crossed the border illegally in the past year; the majority believed the number was under 500,000.

VOTERS THINK THEY ARE WORSE OFF UNDER BIDEN ALTHOUGH VIEWS ON ECONOMY ARE TICKING UP

• 55% of voters say they are worse off personally during Biden's presidency and 61% say they were better off personally during Trump's presidency.
• 44% say the economy is strong today, up 6 points in the past six months.
• Inflation remains the most important issue to voters personally (chosen by 40%).

TRUMP MAINTAINS LEAD IN HORSE RACE WITH WIDESPREAD DOUBTS ABOUT HIM AND BIDEN

• 56% of voters believe Trump will act like a dictator if reelected, but 59% believe Democrats are trying to unfairly scare voters by labeling Trump as a dictator.
• 72% believe a vote for Biden is really a vote for Kamala Harris because he will not likely serve a full second term.
• Trump leads the head-to-head matchup against Biden by 5 points and leads by 7 points when including third-party candidates.

VOTERS WANT HUNTER BIDEN TO AGREE TO DEPOSITION

• 81% of voters, including 72% of Democrats, believe Hunter Biden should appear for a deposition by Congress if asked to explain his business dealings.

GENERATION GAP ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR EXTENDS TO UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS AND POLICIES

• 62% of voters feel university presidents did not go far enough to condemn antisemitism on their campuses in their Congressional testimony (ages 18-24: 67% feel the presidents did go far enough).
• 74% believe students who call for the genocide of Jews should face actions for violating university rules (ages 18-24: 47%).
• 76% believe Jewish students on campus are facing harassment (ages 18-24: 68%).
• 67% of 18-24-year-olds believe Jews as a class are oppressors and should be treated as such (in contrast, 73% of all voters believe this is a false ideology).

The December Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on December 13-14, 2023, among 2,034 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS Harris Poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Media Contact
Sarah Arvizo
pr@stagwellglobal.com

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

Article Link : prnewswire.com

Full Poll : HarvardHarrisPoll.com

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New research unveils how the crypto-owning voter bloc is reacting to a shifting economic and regulatory landscape since Trump has taken office. The 2025 Blockchain Association Policy Summit took place in Washington, DC today and HarrisX research drove the conversations around the crypto-State of the Union.

See how this growing electorate is reacting to President Trump's approach on crypto, the prospects of regulation, and new offerings in the field like stable coins and DATs by viewing the full findings through the link above.

Methodology:

The 2025 Blockchain Association Policy Summit Study of Crypto Voter Perceptions was conducted among 1,861 Registered Voters in the United States from December 3 to December 4, 2025. HarrisX, a Stagwell company and a leading global research consultancy, conducted the quantitative survey-based online interviews. The sampling margin of error is +/-2.3%. Results were weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, income, political party, education, ideology, 2024 Presidential Election vote choice, and area type where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population.

HarrisX obtained the survey sample from multiple industry-leading online sample panels. Throughout the data collection process, HarrisX used in-house technology tools to ensure data quality including authenticating survey respondents and preventing multiple survey submissions.

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They Rushed to Buy Homes During the Pandemic. Now, Some Feel Trapped.

By Kailyn Rhone Nov. 16, 2025

Read The Full New York Times Article Here: nytimes.com

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65% of US Voters Back Trump’s Ukraine Strategy: Arms to Kyiv, Sanctions on Moscow

Nearly two-thirds of US voters support continuing to arm Ukraine and maintaining sanctions on Russia if Moscow refuses to negotiate, according to a Harvard/HarrisX Poll conducted from November 4 to 6.

Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX and one of the poll’s supervisors, said: “Vladimir Putin has lost credibility in the eyes of Republicans and MAGA voters, who originally backed Donald Trump’s push for a speedy end to the war based on hard compromises. These voters still agree the war must end, but now they seek to do so from a position of strength and maximum pressure.”

Read Full Article At United24media.com

The 5th Annual HarrisX–Ragan Survey of Communications Leaders reveals insights from 400 CEOs and communications leaders on how the field is evolving and dealing with new challenges and opportunities arising from AI Adoption, shifting corporate voices, and new dynamics in trust and control between CEOs and communications teams.

“The 5th Annual HarrisX–Ragan Survey of CEOs and Communications Leaders shows an industry at an inflection point,” said HarrisX CEO Dritan Nesho. “CEOs still trust their comms leaders, but many are becoming more hands-on and exerting tighter control over the function. This comes as organizations are rethinking when to speak up, with many CEOs opting for fewer, not more, public commentary. And as AI shifts from assistant to doer, a growing number of CEOs say they already trust it more than their top speechwriters. Comms leaders, however, see AI not as a rival, but as a partner that enhances their work and elevates its value.”

The study has already sparked important conversations among industry leaders at CommsWeek 2025. Here are some of the highlights:

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AI Is Already Doing the Work of Communication Teams and Many CEOs Want Even More

• 95% of organizations use AI in communications work and 96% report AI having a positive impact.
• 30% of organizations say more than half of communications work is already done by AI, and 55% expect that to be true by 2030.
• 49% of CEOs say believe traditional communications skills will soon take a back seat to AI for prompt engineering and data fluency.
• 57% of CEOs say they would choose a custom-trained AI tool to write an important speech over a top-tier communications professional with no AI support.
• 31% of CEOs think AI-powered comms platforms will soon add more value than in-house comms teams or external agencies.
  

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Corporate Voice: ‍

Business executives are becoming more cautious about corporate advocacy, while communication leaders still see speaking up as essential to reputation and engagement.

• 58% of CEOs say their organizations speak up too much, while 59% of communication leaders believe they should speak up more.

Comms Leaders See AI as a Trusted Partner, Not a Competitor

Communications leaders are embracing AI as a collaborator that enhances their work while preserving the human strengths of strategic counsel and judgement.

• 70% of comms leaders say AI will enhance their capabilities to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.
• 13% of comms leaders are worried that AI will replace their job someday.

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See the full findings below:

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AI is now an accepted part of the workplace in 95% of communications departments, according to new data from Ragan Communications and HarrisX. The full results were revealed live Thursday during Ragan’s Future of Communications Conference.

AI use in comms is far more than just a toe in the water. Of the 400 senior-level communicators and CEOs who answered the survey, 30% said that more than half of communications work is currently being done by AI...

Read Full Article At ragan.com

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Teachers fear AI could weaken critical thinking — Mark Cuban says it can do the opposite and build better leaders

By Thibault Spirlet

Many teachers worry that AI could make students lazy thinkers. Mark Cuban thinks it could do the opposite — if used the right way.

A new Samsung "Solve for Tomorrow" study of 620 US middle and high school teachers, conducted online by HarrisX in October and released on Monday, found that 88% believe AI will be important to their students' futures, yet 81% worry that overreliance on the technology could weaken critical-thinking skills.

Read Full Article At BusinessInsider.com

Trump Approval Rating Hits Second-Term Low In Latest 2 Polls

By Sara Dorn,

Forbes Staff.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating hit low points of 44% in the two latest surveys released this week.

Nov. 10-7: Trump’s approval rating slid to a second-term low of 44% in the latest Harvard CAPS/Harris poll of 2,000 registered voters taken Nov. 4-6 (margin of error 1.99).

Trump’s approval ratings on nine key issues the survey has asked about have slid below 50%, with his handling of crime and immigration receiving the highest marks.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll also found 75% oppose the government shutdown and 53% blame Republicans versus Democrats.

Read Full Article At Forbes.com

Samsung Partners with Emma Grede and Mark Cuban to Inspire the Next Generation of STEM Innovators

New Samsung Research Finds AI is Emerging as a “Force for Good” in Classrooms Nationwide, Yet Many Teachers Need More Support to Unlock its Full Potential

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is tackling this tech-education gap by equipping grade 6-12 classrooms with the technology, training, and mentorship needed to apply STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills to real-world issues in their communities.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2025 AI Readiness Study Methodology

The study was commissioned by Samsung and conducted online by HarrisX in October 2025, surveying 620 public middle and high school teachers across the United States.

Read Full Article At news.samsung.com

NOVEMBER HARVARD CAPS / HARRIS POLL:

75% OF VOTERS OPPOSE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, UP 5 PTS. FROM SEPTEMBER, WHILE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FALLS TO LOWEST IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR

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RATINGS OF DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, AND PRESIDENT ALL IN LOW FORTIES

TRUMP POLICIES LARGELY FAVORED WITH EXCEPTION OF TARIFFS BUT APPROVAL DECLINING TO 44% AMID ECONOMIC CONCERN AND SHUTDOWN

57% OF VOTERS CHARACTERIZE THE ECONOMY AS WEAK, A 6 PT. INCREASE FROM SEPTEMBER

OFF-CYCLE ELECTION MESSAGE: GOP NEEDS TO BROADEN ITS BASE; ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S POLICIES REJECTED BY A MAJORITY OF VOTERS ACROSS THE NATION

TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS SEE MADURO’S REGIME AS A THREAT TO U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AND 81% SUPPORT REMOVING HIM FROM OFFICE

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the November Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating dropped to a new low of 44%, 2 points down from September. Trump’s job approval is highest on fighting crime in U.S. cities (49%) and immigration (47%), and lowest on handling inflation (39%) and tariffs and trade policy (40%). This month’s poll also covered public opinion on the off-cycle elections around the country, economy, government shutdown, Israel-Hamas conflict, war in Ukraine, and Venezuela. Download the key results here.

“Keeping the government shutdown has put people in an increasingly negative mood,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “Voters support the Republican policy position, but with the shutdown, a worsening perception of the economy, discontent with tariffs, health care a key concern, and people not getting their paychecks – this is a deteriorating situation the White House has to fix.”

GOP AND CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL DROP AS CONCERNS ON THE ECONOMY GROW

• 57% of voters say the U.S. economy is weak (+6 pts., September 2025).
• 35% of voters say the country is on the right track (-5).
• The Congressional approval rating dropped again to 27%, its lowest point since June 2024 (-5).
• The Republican Party approval rating is at 44% (-3), while the Democratic Party approval is at 43% (+1).
• Inflation and affordability (+3), and the economy and jobs (+4) remain the top two most important issues facing the country today according to voters.
• 48% of voters say inflation is the top issue for them personally (+5).

MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE MAJORITY SUPPORT THOUGH SOME CONCERN OVER DETERIORATING INDEPENDENCE IN GOVERNMENT

• Trump’s policies remain popular, with 16 of 18 policies receiving majority support. Lowering drug prices (85%), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (79%), and cutting government waste (75%) are the most popular; while Medicaid requirements (44%), tariffs (50%), and deploying National Guard in cities (51%) are the least popular.
• 56% of voters believe that Trump has exceeded his authority as president. 51% say Trump is operating like a fascist dictator (+3).
• 59% of voters say Trump is not abiding by all court rulings, and 43% think that the administration works with Congress less than previous administrations.
• 56% of voters oppose President Trump’s construction of a new ballroom at the White House.

VOTERS FEEL EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

• 75% of voters oppose the government shutdown (+5), with 53% placing the blame on Republicans more than Democrats.
• 56% of voters think the Republicans will win the government shutdown (-6).
• 48% say the government shutdown has affected them personally, and 55% say the government shutdown is hurting the economy a lot.
• 74% of voters believe extending the Obamacare subsidies should be debated as part of a separate appropriations bills process. 67% say Democrats should end the shutdown without Obamacare funds.
• 44% of voters support the Senate’s filibuster rule. 37% oppose Republican leaders who want to scrap the filibuster to end the shutdown.

VOTERS SEE BOTH PARTIES AS BECOMING MORE EXTREME AND FARTHER FROM THEIR VIEWS, WANT HEALTH INSURANCE AND FOOD SECURITY

• 43% of voters, a plurality, say the Democratic Party today is moving farther from their own views; 45%, also a plurality, say the same of the Republican Party.
• 61% of voters say the Republican Party today is more of a MAGA/Trump party, while voters are split on whether the Democratic Party is more of a mainstream liberal party (37%) or socialist party (34%).
• 50% say that the Democratic Party understands and prioritizes the issues that matter most to them well; 46% say the same of the Republican Party.
• 46% of voters say they and their family need help with health insurance the most from an outside resource, followed by food security (40%).

OFF-CYCLE ELECTIONS POINT TO NEED OF GOP PARTY TO BROADEN ITS BASE WHILE MAJORITY ACROSS PARTIES REJECT MAMDANI’S POLICIES

• 63% say that the GOP needs to broaden its positions to appeal to more people in the middle.
• 50% of voters think that Zohran Mamdani represents the Democratic Party today (Democrats: 65%; Republicans: 47%; Independents: 38%). 51% say that the Democratic Party moved too far to the left.
• 59% of voters would not consider voting for Mamdani after reading policies (Democrats: 33%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 65%). A strong majority of voters, including a majority across political parties, think houses, stores, and factories should be left to private enterprise and the market (77%); believe Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people (74%); support increases in police funding (71%); and believe prostitution should be kept illegal (64%). 67% of voters oppose open borders (Democrats: 49%; Republicans: 79%; Independents: 72%).

VOTERS BELIEVE HAMAS IS NOT RESPECTING TRUMP’S PEACE DEAL

• 53% of voters support Trump’s handling of the Israeli-Hamas conflict so far, though 59% say Trump are skeptical of whether Trump will be able to keep peace between Israel and Hamas.
• 71% of voters favor the deal brought together by the Trump administration to secure the safe return of the Israel hostages and end the hostilities in Gaza, and 65% support Trump’s 21-point peace plan.
• 51% of voters say Israel is not respecting the deal with Hamas, while 66% say Hamas is not respecting the deal with Israel. 57% say that Arab governments are not respecting the deal.
• 74% of voters say that the deal should require Hamas to completely disarm and disband as part of the solution to conflict, and 51% say Arab governments should be responsible for ensuring Hamas disarms.
• 68% of voters say the long-term answer to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute is for there to be two states: Israel and Palestine.

CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA AND SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

• 65% of voters support Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine, though 63% say Trump will not solve Ukraine.
• 72% of voters support the Trump administration sanctioning Russia’s top oil and gas companies to get President Vladimir Putin to agree to an immediate ceasefire. 72% support additional economic sanctions on Russia to try to force it to end the war (-5).
• 77% of voters say Europe should stop buying oil from Russia and buy it from the US instead if it were practical. 58% support punitive tariffs on governments who buy oil and gas from Russia.
• 65% of voters say the Trump administration should continue to provide weaponry to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia.

STRONG MAJORITY OF VOTERS FAVOR ARREST AND REMOVAL OF MADURO FROM OFFICE

• 63% of voters say Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should be removed from office. When given context of Maduro’s election fraud and narco-terrorism indictment, 81% of voters say he should be removed.
• 67% of voters think the actions of the Maduro regime in Venezuela threaten U.S. national security.
• 73% of voters say the U.S. should try to arrest Maduro and take him to the U.S. to face trial.

The November Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on November 4-6, 2025, among 2,000 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com  

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The Atlantic Council hosted a discussion with foreign policy analysts and a New York Post journalist on the optics of Russia's war with Ukraine. They analyzed how the American public views the current status of the war and the prospects for peace, as well as the popularity of the Trump administration's efforts to orchestrate a ceasefire or peace agreement between the two countries. The war began in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukrain

Read Full Article At c-span.org

With the holiday season fast approaching, American companies are gearing up for an end-of-year spending splurge that will hopefully close out 2025 on a high note. After all, the period that covers Thanksgiving and Black Friday through to New Year’s usually brings with it a nearly trillion-dollar burst of consumer spending—which should be a welcome reprieve from a year that has seen many businesses struggling to navigate an ever-changing slate of tariffs.

“Men seem to be having the high time of it, and women seem to be really concerned about the economy,” said Mark Penn, chairman and CEO of Stagwell, the parent company behind HarrisX. “It is really kind of a tale of two cities.”

The HarrisX poll also asked respondents about a few different policy areas which Inc. has been covering in recent months.

Read The Full Article At Inc.com

Face to Face With Zelensky, Trump Waffles on Providing Tomahawk Missiles

by Brian Bennett

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Recent polling shows increasing support among Republicans for the US to continue arming Ukraine’s defense, a marked shift after an extended period of GOP support lagging behind Democrats. Polling conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs found Republican support for sending U.S. military aid to Ukraine increased from 30% in March to 51% in July.

That upward trend of support among Republicans appears to have continued. A Harvard CAPS-Harris poll conducted in early October shows 73% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats support arming Ukraine and sanctioning Russia. The poll of 2,413 voters was conducted on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 and has a margin of error of 1.99%.

See full article at Time.com

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Helping People Of Faith Feel Seen: Inside The Inaugural Faith And Media Summit

OCTOBER 16, 2025 BY DUNCAN PILE

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As Simran Jeet Singh, Assistant Professor of Interreligious Histories at Union Theological Seminary, shared in the opening session of the Faith and Media Summit, the ultimate goal of the people gathering there is “to ensure that people of faith are represented accurately, authentically, and consistently, in a way that speaks to them and helps them feel seen.”

That vision set the tone for the inaugural gathering of the Faith and Media Initiative (FAMI) fellows in Oxford last month—a summit that brought together sincere and influential voices from around the world to address how faith is portrayed in media. I was privileged to attend, joining a community of leaders, creators, and thinkers committed to reshaping the narrative.

In July, the Faith & Media Initiative launched its inaugural fellowship program—a cohort of nine thought leaders from diverse religious traditions and professional backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to improving how faith is represented in media. These fellows include scholars, creatives, physicians, and advocates, each bringing unique expertise to the task of ensuring faith is portrayed with accuracy, authenticity, and respect.

When covered by various forms of media, faith is almost always represented stereotypically, with little understanding of the practice of faith being portrayed. Where is the nuance? Where are the positive stories? Given that around 80% of the world’s population practice faith in one form or another, based on research from FAMI and HarrisX, why does the media take such an uninformed stance?

Read more at Patheos.com

Behind Trump’s rapidly growing $1bn crypto empire

By Alex Rogers in Washington, Financial Times

Behind Trump’s rapidly growing $1bn crypto empire Also in today’s newsletter, what voter polling suggests about the US government shutdown

Read The Full Article at ft.com

Amid Government Shutdown, Americans Ready to Turn to Self-Reliance, GoDaddy & HarrisX Poll Finds

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As talk about the government shutdown continues to dominate the national conversation, a new poll from GoDaddy and HarrisX finds that Americans, including federal government employees directly affected by the shutdown, are responding with resilience and turning uncertainty into opportunity.

The survey of more than 1,100 American adults and over 200 U.S. federal government employees reveals that economic instability could fuel a new wave of self-reliance, with many Americans prepared to turn their skills and ideas into income streams.

"Anxiety over personal finances is high right now, but we're also seeing remarkable resolve from Americans more broadly, and from federal employees in particular, to create their own earning opportunities," said Jared Sine, GoDaddy's chief strategy and legal officer. "In times of uncertainty, the best thing you can do is bet on yourself."

The national survey, conducted October 9-12, 2025, reveals:

The Shutdown Is Rattling Americans' Confidence in Their Finances – And That's Especially True for Federal Employees

Americans are feeling the impact of economic uncertainty on their own finances.

• 61% of American adults and 76% of federal government employees are concerned about the impact the government shutdown may have on their personal finances.
• 56% of federal employees and 34% of U.S. adults say the government shutdown has already made them less confident about the stability of their income.
• Concerns about the potential impact of the government shutdown extend beyond personal finances: 71% of Americans are concerned about the potential impact on small businesses and 64% are concerned about the potential impact on consumer spending.
• Among federal employees those concerns are even more acute. 90% are concerned about the impact the shutdown could have. 75% are worried about small businesses and 73% believe the shutdown could negatively impact consumer spending overall.

Consumers and Federal Workers Say They're Pulling Back on Spending

Economic anxiety, rising amid the federal government shutdown, is spurring caution when it comes to spending.

• 63% of federal employees and 41% of Americans report reducing spending in response to the shutdown.
• 44% of government employees and 29% of all consumers say they are delaying major purchases.
• 39% of federal employees say they are already dipping into savings to cover expenses because of the government shutdown.

The Shutdown Could Fuel Entrepreneurial Intent

Economic uncertainty could drive many to pursue greater financial independence.

• 70% of Americans and 67% of federal employees surveyed agree that the shutdown underscores the need to be self-reliant when it comes to finding ways to generate income.
• 74% of U.S. adults and 79% of federal employees polled agree that in challenging times, people benefit from creating their own financial opportunities.
• 50% of Americans and 41% of federal employees who responded to the survey say they would likely start a business or side hustle if their income were to be disrupted by the federal government shutdown or another negative economic event.

Sine said: "These findings appear to reveal a trend: when confidence in the economy falters, Americans are eager to seize control and create their own earning opportunities."

GoDaddy is making it easier than ever to start: for just $4.99, new customers can choose a domain and use ai-powered GoDaddy Airo® to launch their business online in minutes. Visit planme.godaddy/usa.

"Even amid economic uncertainty, Americans aren't losing faith in themselves," added Dom Bartkus, managing director at HarrisX. "The data shows that while concerns about the potential impact of the government shutdown are real for many, people are ready to adapt and navigate disruption rather than be defined by it."

Methodology
HarrisX, commissioned by GoDaddy, conducted the nationally representative study online across the United States with 1,129 U.S. adults and 236 U.S. federal government employees. The interviews were conducted October 9-12, 2025. The sampling margin of error of this poll is +/-2.9 percentage points for U.S. adults and +/-6.4 percentage points for federal government employees. The general population results reflect a nationally representative sample of U.S adults. The survey sample was weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, income, and region where necessary to align it with the actual proportions in the population. Respondents for the study were recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods.

About GoDaddy  
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company's AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by enabling them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy's expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com  

About HarrisX
HarrisX is a leading strategic research, data analytics and AI consultancy focused on emerging technologies, business and social trends, social impact, public policy and politics. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in the United States and over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, NGOs, global leaders and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was one of the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and one of the most accurate outfits in the 2024 presidential election, correctly calling the results in 5 out of 7 battleground states and the national vote. For more info visit: www.harrisx.com.

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Republicans Have Changed Their Minds on Ukraine

PUBLISHED By Brendan Cole

OCT 13, 2025 AT 11:27 AM EDT

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Republican support for U.S. military aid to Ukraine has risen this year in polling which comes amid reporting that Washington is giving Kyiv intelligence to conduct strikes inside Russia.

A poll by HarrisX and Harvard has found more Republican voters than Democrats support arming Ukraine and sanctioning Russia, as surveys show growing GOP support for Kyiv amid President Donald Trump's stepping up of criticism of Vladimir Putin.

It comes as the FT reported that Washington has been helping Ukraine carry out long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities amid speculation over whether the Trump administration will give Kyiv Tomahawk missiles that can strike deep inside Russia.

Zev Faintuch, head of research and intelligence at security firm Global Guardian, told Newsweek that the U.S. president has likely decided that Russia is not likely to win and has manufactured consent among his base to provide Kyiv with more support.

Read more at Newsweek.com

Shutdown polls show Democrats’ economic messaging still falling flat

By  LISA KASHINSKY 10/13/2025

Democrats’ hardline opposition to rising health care costs isn’t earning them voters’ trust on economic issues — a disconnect that lays bare the party’s challenge heading into next year’s midterms.

Voters blame Republicans more than Democrats for the federal government shutdown, according to a review of polling conducted after services shuttered. An Economist/YouGov survey of 1,648 Americansshowed 41 percent hold the GOP accountable for the lapse in federal funding, compared to 30 percent who point a finger at Democrats and 23 percent who hold the parties equally responsible. A 2,441-person CBS News/YouGov survey also found Americans blame Republicans more than Democrats — 39 percent to 30 percent — with 31 percent faulting both. And a Harvard/Harris poll demonstrated 2,413 voters impugned Republicans more than Democrats by 6 points.

Read The Full Article At Politico.com

Trump Approval Rating Hits Second-Term Low In Latest Survey

By Sara Dorn,

Forbes Staff.

Published Oct 08, 2025 at 12:02pm EDT

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TIMELINE

Oct. 8-18 net approval rating: In a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken oct. 3-7, 40% said they approve of Trump’s job performance and 58% said they disapprove, a one-point decrease in his net approval rating from the groups’ September survey and consistent with his second-term low (the survey of 1,154 U.S. adults has a margin of error of 3).

Oct. 7-17: Trump’s approval rating dipped 0.7 points from last week in the latest Economist/YouGov poll of 1,648 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 4-6 (margin of error 3.4), with 39% saying they approve of his job performance and 56% saying they disapprove.

The survey found more respondents (41%) blame Republicans in Congress and Trump versus Democrats in Congress (30%) for the government shutdown that began Oct. 1, and 54% disapprove of the way Trump is handling the shutdown, compared to 33% who approve.

Oct. 6-4: Trump’s 46% approval rating in the Harvard CAPS/Harris monthly poll taken in September and released Monday is down one point from August, while 50% disapprove of his job performance (the online survey of 2,413 registered voters was taken Oct. 1-2 and has a margin of error of 2).

A slim majority (53%) of poll respondents blame Republicans overDemocrats (47%) for the shutdown, though 65% say Democrats should end the shutdown by accepting the Republican spending plan, according to the Harvard CAPS/Harris survey.

Oct. 6-6: Trump’s 46% approval rating and 52% disapproval rating is unchanged from the past four weeks in the latest Morning Consult survey of 2,200 registered voters taken Oct. 3-5 (margin of error 2).

Read more at Forbes.com

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On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll which reveals voters' attitudes towards the Trump Administration.

NEW INSIGHTS ON AMERICAN VIEWS OF UKRAINE, RUSSIA, AND THE WAR - Join the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center for an event launching HarrisX’s new poll on Americans’ attitudes toward Ukraine and discussing implications for US support for Ukraine.

American public opinion on US support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression has been remarkably durable since Moscow launched its full-scale 2022 invasion. The Harvard CAPS/HarrisX poll has been closely tracking American attitudes toward Russia’s war on Ukraine. The new September edition of the poll tracks Americans’ perceptions of presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, US and global efforts to end Russia’s war, and support for continued US assistance.

Join us to dive into the poll and examine the data and its implications for future US policy on Ukraine and Russia.

Read more at atlanticcouncil.tv

Stagwell (STGW) Expands 'Future of News' Initiative into Asia-Pacific with a Summit in Singapore in Partnership with South China Morning Post

Summit convened prominent journalists and leaders from Business Insider, CNN, South China Morning Post and more

Programming featured results from a new APAC edition of Stagwell’s News Advertising Study, drawing insights from nearly 10,000 respondents in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam

SINGAPORE, Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, proudly expanded its Future of News initiative into APAC last week marked by a summit at the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, hosted in partnership with South China Morning Post. At the event, Stagwell unveiled new research conducted by its research consultancy HarrisX, examining public perceptions and the overall health of news advertising in the market.

The survey, fielded among 9,876 adults across Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam, builds on Stagwell’s prior News Advertising studies conducted in Canada, the U.S. and UK. This regional study further reinforces it is safe for brands to advertise adjacent to quality news content agnostic of the topic.

Key Findings Include:

• 74% of APAC adults are news readers, reading an average of 7.1 articles per day.
• 21% of APAC adults are ‘news junkies,’ checking the news an average of 7.2 times per day and reading an average of 9.4 news articles per day.
• APAC adults are more likely to follow news very closely (21%) than they are sports and entertainment (19%).
• The research reveals no evidence of brand safety concerns across key audience groups, including News Junkies, Gen Z, Millennials, and university-educated adults.
• Among highly educated respondents, the average purchase intent for brands whose ads were placed next to news articles on global politics and crime was 66%, compared to 64% for sports and 63% for business—differences that are statistically insignificant, meaning it is safe for brands to advertise next to all of these topics.
• Among parents, purchase intent for brands whose ads were placed next to news articles on crime and entertainment was 77%, respectively, echoing it is safe for brands to advertise in these environments.

“The findings of our APAC study reinforce a consistent narrative: trusted journalism connects brands with engaged audiences and fuels stronger business outcomes, said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell.

“The role of news in shaping consumer trust and brand safety is as critical in this region as it is globally, and this event gave leaders across industries the chance to engage with fresh insights tailored to our markets,” said Randy Duax, Managing Director of Stagwell APAC.

Alongside the findings, the summit featured panel discussions on Why News Works for Brands and Being a Journalist in APAC Today, featuring thought leaders from news organizations including Business Insider, CNN, South China Morning Post and business leaders from regional and global companies.

Kevin Huang, Chief Operating Officer at South China Morning Post, said, “For today’s marketers, the emphasis should be on a future focused on brand suitability. Brands now have the tools and confidence to choose contexts that align with their values, effectively addressing concerns about low-quality environments. The real opportunity lies in collaborating with trusted journalism to share authentic stories that resonate in the real world.”

To learn more about the Future of News and explore the research, visit: https://www.stagwellglobal.com/future-of-news/ and reach out to futureofnews@stagwellglobal.com with any questions. Content from the summit will also be available for viewing on Stagwell’s YouTube.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world’s most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

Contact
Madison Wick
PR@stagwellglobal.com

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As today marks two years since the start of the war in Gaza, New York lawmakers are condemning Hamas’ attacks on Israel and calling for change. A new poll looks into what some Americans think about the government shutdown. WFUV’s Xenia Gonikberg sat down with the CEO and Founder of HarrisX, who conducted the poll along with Harvard University. With the New York mayoral election less than one month away, the city said they want to make sure New Yorkers know how to vote.

70 percent of voters oppose government shutdown: Poll

BY CAROLINE VAKIL - 10/06/25 11:11 AM ET‍

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More than two-thirds of Americans oppose the government shutdown as it stretches into its sixth day, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday.

The poll found 70 percent of respondents opposed the shutdown while 30 percent said they supported it. More respondents, 53 percent, blamed Republicans for the shutdown over those who blamed Democrats, 47 percent.

While the poll found the shutdown hurt Republicans over Democrats, that didn’t mean respondents wanted Democrats to continue withholding their support to strike a deal with Republicans; Democrats have made the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies a contingency ending the stalemate.

The poll found 65 percent said Democrats should accept a continuing resolution at current spending levels while 35 percent said they should hold out until they get additional funding for ObamaCare.  

Read more of the article at thehill.com

Donald Trump Gets ‘Mostly Bad News’ in Approval Rating Polls: Nate Silver

By : Martha McHardy

Published October 7th, 2025

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Most recent polls have painted a bleak picture for Trump. Surveys from major institutions—including The New York Times/Siena College (-11), Pew Research Center (-18), Marist College (-12), Marquette Law School (-14), YouGov/The Economist (-14), Morning Consult (-6), Quinnipiac University (-16) and YouGov/Yahoo News (-14)— all show the president with negative net approval ratings.

A Morning Consult poll conducted October 3–5 put his net approval at -6, while a YouGov/CBS News poll from October 1–3 showed an even steeper -16. A TIPP Insights/Issues & Insights poll conducted September 30–October 2 found Trump’s net approval at -4, and a HarrisX/Harris Poll/Harvard CAPS survey from October 1–2 recorded -4 as well.

But while Trump's approval rating is underwater, these polls have largely shown that the president's approval rating has remained stable amid the shutdown, changing only by 1 or 2 points since last month.

On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS / Harris Poll revealing President Trump's approval rating, and the attitudes of voters towards both major political parties and key issues.

More than half of voters support Trump’s Gaza peace plan: Poll

BY CAROLINE VAKIL - 10/06/25 11:16 AM ET

More than half of voters say they support President Trump’s 21-point plan to end the war in Gaza, according to a Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday.

The poll found 56 percent of respondents supported Trump’s peace plan, while 44 percent opposed it. Opinion over Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war is split, with 51 percent supporting the president’s handling of the conflict while 49 percent opposed it.

The White House released a 20-point plan aimed at ending the war in the Middle East that aims to secure the release of hostages, alive and deceased, from both sides. The plan mandates that if both sides agree to the plan, the war would end immediately and within 72 hours of Israel accepting the agreement, all hostages would be given back to their respective side.

Read more at Thehill.com

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News Provided By: Stagwell Inc. October 6, 2025, 9:28 AM ET

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TRUMP JOB APPROVAL STEADY AT 46% WHILE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FALLS 5 PTS. FROM AUGUSTMOST VOTERS UNDERESTIMATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND OVERESTIMATE INFLATION

85% OF VOTERS SAY CELEBRATION OVER KIRK’S DEATH BY MEDIA PERSONALITIES WAS INAPPROPRIATE

71% OF VOTERS SUPPORT SINKING SOUTH AMERICAN SHIPS CARRYING DRUGS INTO THE COUNTRY

34% OF AMERICANS FEEL THEY WILL EVENTUALLY LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM AND 24% BELIEVE THEY ARE LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM

78% OF VOTERS SAY AMERICANS ARE BETTER OFF WITH FREE ENTERPRISE RATHER THAN SOCIALISM

56% OF VOTERS SUPPORT TRUMP’S GAZA PEACE PLAN

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the September Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 46%. Trump’s job approval is highest on fighting crime in U.S. cities (50%), immigration (49%), and returning America to its values (48%), and lowest on handling inflation (40%) and tariffs and trade policy (40%). This month’s poll also covered public opinion on the economy, political violence, the government shutdown, the American Dream, conflicts in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine. Download the key results here.

“Voters’ outlook on the country remains largely the same with strong opposition to the government shutdown,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. “They feel the rhetoric of today’s political leaders has grown too polarizing and is fueling political violence, and they want leadership that works to unite the country.”

CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL DROPS FROM LAST MONTH

• 40% of voters say the country is on the right track, stable from last month.
• 34% of voters say their personal financial situation is improving (-1 pt., Aug. 2025), particularly among Republican, male, 25-44 y.o., and urban voters.
• The Congressional approval rating is at 32% (-5). The Democratic Party approval rating is at 42% (+1) and the Republican Party approval rating is steady at 47%.
• Among key political figures, voters have the highest net favorable view of Charlie Kirk (+16 net favorable), Erika Kirk (+14), and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (+13).
• 43% of voters say inflation is the most important issue to them personally (-4).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS BELIEVE INFLATION IS ABOVE 3 PERCENT AND THE ECONOMY IS SHRINKING

• 65% of voters believe inflation is above 3 percent (Democrats: 70%; Republicans: 62%; Independents: 64%).
• 56% of voters believe the economy is shrinking rather than growing.
• Voters are split 50-50 on whether Trump’s policies are making the U.S. economy stronger or weaker.
• 58% of voters say Trump’s tariffs are harming the economy (+3).
• 56% of voters say Trump is losing the battle against inflation.

VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

• 70% of voters oppose the government shutdown, with 53% blaming Republicans (Democrats: 76%; Republicans: 31%; Independents: 54%). However, 62% of voters say Republicans will win the shutdown.
• 65% of voters say Democrats should end the shutdown by accepting a continuing resolution at current spending levels (Democrats: 39%; Republicans: 90%; Independents: 63%).
• Voters are split on how the shutdown impacts their vote in the midterm elections, with 8% of Democrats they are more likely to vote for Republicans and 9% of Republicans saying they are more likely to vote for Democrats.
• 55% of voters say the Democrats behind the shutdown are motivated by pleasing their base.

THREE IN FOUR VOTERS BELIEVE TODAY’s POLITICAL RHETORIC IS TOO EXTREME, BLAMING IT FOR VIOLENCE

• 75% of voters say the rhetoric of our politicians has become too extreme (Democrats: 83%; Republicans: 65%; Independents: 79%), with 72% saying today’s rhetoric is leading to violence.
• 58% of voters say Trump’s rhetoric is too extreme. 57% believe the same of rhetoric from leading Democratic and Republican politicians.
• Though more than three-quarters of voters say assassinations of Charlie Kirk (78%), United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson (77%), and Minnesota Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman (83%) were unjustified, roughly 1 in 5 say they were justified (Kirk: 22%; Thompson: 23%; Hortman: 17%).
• 53% of voters say Kirk’s assassination made the country worse. 32% felt angry, 23% felt nothing, and 18% felt worried.
• 86% of Democrat voters and 83% of Republican voters say it is unjustified to use political violence to advance their party’s goals.
• 56% of voters believe America can come together with leadership that tried harder to unify it, including a majority across parties.
• At least two-thirds of voters say assassination attempts on Trump, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Governor Josh Shapiro, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were unjustified.

STRONG MAJORITY OF VOTERS FOUND MEDIA CELEBRATION OF KIRK’S DEATH INAPPROPRIATE BUT SAY SUCH BEHAVIOR IS PROTECTED BY FREE SPEECH

• 85% of voters say it is inappropriate for media personalities to celebrate Kirk’s death.
• 62% of voters say the words and actions of those celebrating Kirk’s death is protected by the First Amendment and free speech (Democrats: 70%; Republicans: 55%; Independents: 63%).
• Voters are split on whether it was right of TV networks to fire commentators over Kirk comments (Right: 51%; Wrong: 49%).
• 54% of voters oppose the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, and 58% say Disney was right to reinstate him.
• 64% of voters say social media is operating to encourage political violence today.

MOST OF TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE MAJORITY SUPPORT INCLUDING SINKING BOATS WITH DRUGS, THOUGH A SMALL MAJORITY SAY TRUMP HAS EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY AS PRESIDENT

• 18 out of 20 of Trump’s policies continue to receive majority support, with his most popular policies being lowering prescription drug prices (86%), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (78%), and eliminating waste in government expenditures (75%). Adding work requirements to Medicaid programs (42%), tariffs (49%), and deploying the National Guard in cities (51%) are the least popular.
• 71% of voters support the U.S. destroying boats bringing drugs from South America into the country.
• 63% of voters say Trump will not solve the Ukraine war (+4), and 64% of voters say Trump will not solve the Israel-Hamas war.
• 52% of voters say Trump is doing a better job than Joe Biden did as President (-2).
• 52% of voters say Trump is behaving like a strong president instead of a fascist dictator, though 55% say Trump has exceeded his authority as President (Democrats: 83%; Republicans: 24%; Independents: 59%).
• 56% of voters say Trump is not abiding by all court rulings.

AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY FAVOR FREE ENTERPRISE OVER SOCIALISM AND BELIEVE IN HARD WORK, BUT A PLURALITY ARE SKEPTICAL THEY WILL EVER ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM

• 78% of voters say Americans are better off with free enterprise than socialism, including a majority across political, gender, and age groups, though 37% of voters 18-24 y.o. favor socialism.
• 38% of voters, a plurality, believe they will never live the American Dream, while 34% say they will eventually live it and 28% say they are living it now.
• 61% of voters are homeowners, 84% say they own a car, and 54% say they have a job.
• 57% of voters believe hard work can earn then enough to own a house and have a family, with Republican (73%; net +24 vs. Democrat), male (64%; net +14 vs. female), and 25-44 y.o. (62%; net +12 vs. 55-64 y.o.) voters agreeing with the sentiment most.
• 59% of voters say a college education is important to economic success (Democrats: 66%; Republicans: 57%; Independents: 53%; Men: 62%; Women: 55%).
• 53% of voters say America is on the verge of unprecedented economic opportunities, believing younger generations today have advantages others did not. But 57% of voters say AI will make it harder to get a job.

STRONG MAJORITY OF VOTERS VALUE FAMILY AND KIDS, THOUGH YOUNGER VOTERS ARE PRIORITIZING ECONOMIC SUCCESS

• 71% of voters say having a family is very important to them personally, while 55% say the same about economic success.
• 71% of voters say having a family is more important than having a good job (18-24 y.o.: 51%).
• 78% of voters say having children is something they want or wanted.
• 60% of voters have children, though 28% say they do not expect to have any (Democrats: 31%; Republicans: 22%; Independents: 33%; Male: 32%; Female: 24%; 18-24 y.o.: 32%).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT TRUMP’S GAZA PEACE PLAN

• 51% of voters support Trump’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict (-2 pts., Aug. 2025).
• 56% of voters support Trump’s 21-point peace plan to end the conflict, with 70% supporting the plan after being told major Arab governments support it.
• 79% of voters say Israel should accept the plan and 78% say Hamas should accept it. 51% believe Israel has already accepted it, and 64% believe Hamas has rejected it.
• 83% of voters support the plan’s demands to release of all hostages and create a path to a Palestinian state.
• 69% of voters agree the long-term answer to the conflict should be a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
• 75% of voters support imposing new sanctions on Iran for its continued ambition for nuclear weapons.

TRUMP GIVEN CREDIT FOR HIS EFFORTS TO END WAR IN UKRAINE

• 65% of voters support Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
• 77% of voters support additional sanctions on Russia to end the war, and 68% believe the Trump administration should continue to arm Ukraine and impose sanctions.
• 57% of voters believe governments that buy Russian oil and gas should be punished with tariffs.
• 79% of voters say Europe should buy oil from the U.S. instead of from Russia.

The September Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on October 1-2, 2025, among 2,413 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

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Canadians Echo the Trend: News Advertising Study Reveals Brands Can and Should Advertise in Trusted News Environments

News provided byStagwell Inc.

Sep 18, 2025, 11:05 ET

Stagwell (STGW) releases third regional wave of its News Advertising study fielded among nearly 10,000 Canadian adults

Stagwell partners with The Globe and Mail to unveil the research at event bringing together Canadian journalists and industry leaders for discussions around the importance of investing in news advertising

TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today released new research in partnership with The Globe and Mail, highlighting a major opportunity for brands to connect with a valuable yet often overlooked audience: Canadian news junkies.

Stagwell partners with The Globe and Mail to unveil the research at event bringing together Canadian journalists and industry leaders for discussions around the importance of investing in news advertising.

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Key Findings Include:

• 22% of Canadians are 'news junkies,' checking the news an average of five times per day and reading an average of 8.8 news articles per day.
• An even larger share, 71%, are news readers, reading an average of 6.5 news articles/stories per day.
• Canadians are just as likely to follow news as they are sports (22% vs. 21%, respectively).
• Canadians are more likely to follow news (22%) than they are entertainment (14%).
• No brand safety issues were detected among key demographic groups for advertisers, including Gen Z, moms, high earners and university-educated adults.
• Among Gen Z, the average purchase intent for brands whose ads were placed next to news articles on domestic political content was 61%, compared to 59% for sports and 61% for crime—differences that are statistically insignificant.
• Among high earners, the average purchase intent for brands whose ads were placed next to news articles on global politics was 65%, compared to 69% for business, and 64% for entertainment—differences that are also statistically insignificant.

This latest study, conducted by Stagwell's research consultancy HarrisX, builds on Stagwell's Future of News initiative, prior U.S. and U.K News Advertising studies, and research into how CEOs and board directors view news media as a powerful advertising tool.

"As we expand our brand safety research to Canada, the message remains clear: advertisers shouldn't avoid news—they should embrace it. Trusted news delivers engaged audiences and stronger returns worldwide," said Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell.

"We're proud to partner with Stagwell to bring the Future of News initiative to Canada. This research underscores the essential role of news media in upholding a healthy democracy, while also offering brands a trusted environment to build meaningful engagement with Canadians," shared Andrew Saunders, President and CEO, The Globe and Mail.

Stagwell and The Globe and Mail will explore these findings and more at the Future of News Canada Summit today.

About Stagwell

Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.    

Methodology

The Future of News Canada Study was conducted among 9,675 adults across Canada from August 22 to August 29, 2025. HarrisX, a Stagwell company and a leading global research consultancy, conducted the quantitative survey-based online interviews. The sampling margin of error is +/-1.0% for the total study sample, +/-2.5% for each news article tested, and +/-4.9% for each variation of study stimulus. The survey data was weighted to a nationally representative sample of Canadian adults across key demographics, including age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, education, and income, to align with Canadian census. HarrisX obtained the survey sample from multiple industry-leading online sample panels. Throughout the data collection process, HarrisX used in-house technology tools to ensure data quality including authenticating survey respondents and preventing multiple survey submissions.

Media Contact
Madison Wick
PR@stagwellglobal.com

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

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On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll showing President Trump's approval rating holding steady at 47%, as well as what voters consider his highlights and weaker points at this moment in his second term.

Originally published on New York Times' New York City Mayoral Election 2025: Latest Polls

Recent polls have shown that Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, holds a lead in the general election for mayor of New York City, though his support is less than half of the electorate in most surveys. Three candidates are trying to catch him: Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Eric Adams, who are both running as independents, and Curtis Sliwa, the Republican candidate. Polls have also found that most New Yorkers are unsatisfied with the direction of the city and have an unfavorable view of Adams.

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Most Utahns support Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ — even though they think it will raise the debt

Originally Published by Deseret News

By Cami Mondeaux

July 29, 2025

WASHINGTON — Most Utah voters say they support the massive tax package passed by Congress earlier this month expediting much of President Donald Trump’s domestic agenda — even though they admit it will likely add to the national debt over the coming years.

Half of Utah voters (50%) say they support the “Big, Beautiful Bill Act” as it was passed in early July, with only 38% saying they oppose the measure, according to a new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll conducted by HarrisX. Another 12% said they were unsure.

RELATED

Republicans and Democrats battle to own the rhetoric on Trump tax bill

Nearly all Utah voters (83%) said they were aware of what the massive bill was and what policy measures it contained before it was signed by Trump on July 4. But many of these same voters acknowledge the bill could have financial consequences.

Voters split along party lines when asked if they thought the flagship legislation — which extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts while greenlighting billions of dollars in spending cuts to Medicaid and other welfare programs — would improve or worsen the economy, the poll showed. More than half (54%) of voters say the package will improve the economy compared to 46% who said the opposite.

Republicans make up most of those in favor, with 75% of self-identified Republican voters saying they believe the economy will grow compared to just 12% of Democrats who said the same.

Still, GOP voters appear to admit the national debt could become worse because of the newly enacted policies.

More than half (52%) of voters say the debt will increase because of the domestic policy package, according to the poll. When split by party, 40% of Republicans say the deficit will increase compared to just 35% who said the debt would decrease. Another 26% said they did not think it would make a difference.

It’s not surprising so many Republicans stand behind the bill, according to Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. However, he noted voters also see some drawbacks to the signature legislation.

“What stands out is the hesitation some voters express about specific impacts, like the effect on the national debt,” Perry told the Deseret News. “People can support big policy changes even if feeling uncertain about parts of it. In this case, many Republican voters recognize the bill may increase the debt but still back it because they believe in the broader message or trust the people leading the effort. Rather than a contradiction, this reflects how voters often weigh tradeoffs.”

On the other hand, a plurality of Republican voters (41%) say inflation will go down due to the bill. Only 31% of Republicans believe inflation would go up as a result of the legislation, according to the poll.

The poll comes as Republicans return home for the August recess and lawmakers must begin campaigning for next year’s midterm elections — with the “big, beautiful bill” likely to be the biggest messaging tool for both parties.

Congress passed the massive tax package just before the July Fourth holiday, enacting the president’s domestic policy agenda ranging from border security to energy production to tax reform. The budget framework also approves trillions of dollars in spending cuts to government programs like Medicaid to offset the costs of permanent tax cuts expected to take effect at the end of this year.

Trump and GOP leaders are imploring their members to defend the budget behemoth to their constituents, particularly those who are running for reelection in tight races. But that could be easier said than done, as polling shows the bill underwater on the national stage due to concerns it will raise costs and hurt the economy.

While the package greenlights roughly $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, the full package is projected to increase the national deficit by $3.4 trillion over the next 10 years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Much of the new federal spending comes from provisions on military and immigration costs while stripping funds from some welfare programs and green energy tax credits.

The Deseret News/Hinckley Poll was conducted by HarrisX between July 9-16 among 802 registered Utah voters. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.

CareerTok Is the New Career Center: Why Gen Zs Trust TikTok Influencers Over Teachers

by Kalin Anastasov

July 28th, 2025

Originally Published on Influencer Marketing Hub

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Key takeaways

• A Schultz Family Foundation/HarrisX study found seven in ten young adults find career and education opportunities on social platforms; four in ten actively seek that content.
• Only 16% of parents encourage social media for career exploration—highlighting a generational guidance gap.
• Cybersecurity creator Nav Karmacharya fields hundreds of daily questions, showing how niche experts fill mentorship vacuums traditional systems leave.
• Macro creators like Sam DeMase address widespread anxiety about pivots, competition, and AI, while urging job seekers to identify their “superpowers.”
• Employers and schools must respond with honest, scalable mentorship and content—or watch creators permanently own the guidance role.

Seven in ten young adults now scout jobs and education paths on social platforms, sidelining campus counselors and job boards.

Nav Karmacharya didn’t set out to replace a guidance office. The 23‑year‑old cybersecurity analyst started posting “day in my life” clips, quick explainers on governance, risk and compliance, and blunt advice about breaking into non‑technical cybersecurity roles.

Four months later, he’d attracted around 14,000 followers, mostly students and early‑career professionals who now flood his DMs and TikTok Lives with hundreds of questions a day.

“I feel like a job coach and mentor most days,” he told Fortune. The most common query?

“What certs should I get to break into cybersecurity?”

His answer typically steers people away from credential obsession and toward hands‑on experience, soft skills, and networking—gaps he sees traditional channels failing to fill.

Karmacharya is one face of a much broader shift captured by a new study from the Schultz Family Foundation and research firm HarrisX: seven in ten young adults aged 16–24 say they find educational and career opportunities on social media. Four in ten actively seek career content; another 30% stumble on it passively while scrolling.

By contrast, fewer than one in five parents in the same study encouraged their kids to use social platforms for career exploration. The dissonance is telling. While adults cling to counselors, job boards, and LinkedIn, Gen Z is rebuilding the career center on TikTok.

Why a Cybersecurity Analyst Becomes a Mentor

Karmacharya’s niche—cybersecurity governance and compliance—exposes the heart of #CareerTok’s appeal. It’s not just about generic resume tips; it’s access to insiders in specialized fields that schools rarely demystify.

“A lot of students don’t have strong mentorship from professors or peers, so they turn to creators online who are already doing the kind of work they want to do,” he said. His two‑hour live stream on July 9 drew more than 600 comments—effectively a rolling office hour, open to anyone with Wi‑Fi.

Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX, framed it bluntly: young adults are substituting “day‑in‑the‑life content on social media for job shadowing and hard‑to‑find real-life exposure.” Internships are scarce; shadowing requires connections many don’t have. A creator with a phone can close that gap in ten minutes of vertical video.

Rajiv Chandrasekaran, managing director at the Schultz Family Foundation, went further: “Social media has really turned into the new career coach for young adults.” Not because Gen Z is addicted to apps (though they are), he argued, but because “traditional resources” are “misaligned” and “outdated.”

CareerTok’s Emotional Underpinning: Fear, Pivots, and AI Anxiety

Career influencer Sam DeMase—ZipRecruiter’s in‑house career expert with roughly 900,000 combined followers across TikTokand Instagram—says her audience is dominated by questions rooted in stress: how to pivot careers, stand out in a market where postings vanish after 48 hours, set boundaries in a first job, negotiate offers in a shaky economy.

For Gen Z, she adds, there’s a specific layer: “Is my entry-level job going to be replaced by AI?” The anxiety is palpable, but so is the desire for agency. DeMase starts by helping people articulate their “superpowers”—the three things they’re really good at—because without that, she says, it’s “really difficult to build a powerful resume, interview narrative, and value proposition.”

That concept translates back into leadership, too. DeMase advises managers to identify and celebrate their team’s strengths, even using tools like CliftonStrengths and dedicating recurring one‑on‑one time to professional development.

In other words, the behavior Gen Z seeks from creators—individualized guidance, clear roadmaps, accountability—they also expect from employers.

Instagram and TikTok, Not LinkedIn

The study behind these insights found Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are the dominant daily platforms for career exploration among the 40% who actively seek it. LinkedIn, despite its professional veneer, ranks near the bottom for daily use in this subgroup. That isn’t a contradiction; it’s a comment on usability and relatability. LinkedIn feels like a polished lobby. TikTok feels like the back office where the real talk happens.

For creators like Karmacharya, TikTok’s format is the point. Short clips make niche concepts digestible; live streams let him triage dozens of questions in real time. The parasocial dynamic—intimacy without proximity—creates a mentorship loop at scale. One cyber analyst can guide hundreds of aspiring peers, and those peers can validate and amplify each other in the comments.

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Opinion | What’s up with the ‘Gen Z stare’?

We’re not zoning out. We’re just not performing for others while also trying to adapt to a world full of contradictions.

By Haley Taylor Schlitz

July 24, 2025 At 7:00 AM

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If you’ve been on TikTok lately, you’ve seen it: the “Gen Z stare.” A deadpan face. Slight frown. Eyes somewhere between focus and frustration.

One clip shows a young woman staring blankly while her boss explains how “nobody wants to work anymore.” The caption that goes with it says she is practicing her “Gen Z stare” before her 9 a.m. meeting.

It’s a look that’s launched a thousand think pieces and triggered even more confusion across generations.

Some see it as disengagement. Others call it attitude. But what if it’s neither? What if it’s just how we’ve learned to survive in a world full of contradictions?

More than 2,800 young adults were recently surveyed by the Schultz Family Foundation and HarrisX. They found that nearly half of Gen Z feels unprepared for the jobs of the future, and only a third view their career as a top priority and as central to their success in life. Not because we are unqualified or don’t care. But because we’ve stopped pretending the old system still works.

Read the full story at The Minnesota Star Tribune

Top US Poll: Growing Number of American Voters Back Stronger Support for Ukraine

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Originally published on United24 Media

By VLAD LITNAROVYCH

July 22, 2025

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A growing number of American voters want the United States to ramp up support for Ukraine, according to the latest Harvard–Harris Poll, conducted July 6–8.

The nationwide survey of 2,044 registered voters found that two-thirds want Trump to arm Ukraine, sanction Russia, and support security guarantees for Kyiv.

Nearly three in four voters believe America’s relationship with Ukraine is more important than its ties to Russia, a figure that has grown since June. In addition, the poll found that Russia is among the top 3 most unfavourable institutions in the US, with 65% of those polled choosing “unfavourable” or “very unfavourable.”

According to the poll, about 75% of voters believe Putin is deliberately manipulating the West. In contrast, 60% say Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy genuinely wants to end the war.

Trump’s supporters are more likely to view Zelenskyy’s intentions with skepticism, but even among Republicans, a significant portion backs continued US assistance to Ukraine.

Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX and one of the poll’s supervisors, in a comment for UNITED24 Media, said that “US voters want to punish Putin for continuing the bloodshed, and that is what has led to renewed support for Ukraine. This comes in part because of how Donald Trump has framed the issue, as one of which party is genuinely sincere about ending the war.”

He also added that Americans are tired of what they view as Putin’s “rope-a-dope strategy” and do not believe he’s taken sincere actions towards peace.

“As such, voters are once again open to providing Ukraine weapons and imposing new sanctions on Russia as long as the United States is not left footing the bill alone, which is where NATO comes into play. And, increasingly, three-fourths now say they see more value in US-Ukraine economic ties than they do with Russia as a geostrategic partner, and a possible counterweight to China,” he said in a comment.

CEO of HarrisX said that the poll findings show Ukraine has a new opening in Washington.

“But that could still change given the hyper-pragmatic nature of the Trump administration. Ukrainian leadership needs to do more to translate its vast economic potential into political capital to regain its footing and lock in this newfound goodwill,” Nesho concluded.

The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll and HarrisX under the supervision of pollsters Mark Penn, Dritan Nesho, and Stephen Ansolabehere of Harvard University’s Center for American Political Studies (CAPS). The poll carries a margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points.

The validation for a pro-Ukraine strategy comes from a hyper-experienced team of policy researchers. Mr. Penn is a former presidential pollster and counselor to Bill Clinton, and managed Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential race.

Mr. Nesho led some of the most accurate US presidential election polling in 2020 and 2024 accordingly. And Mr. Ansolabehere, a tenured professor at Harvard, is renowned for his expertise in public opinion, elections, and political behavior in the United States.

Earlier, US Senator Lindsey Graham introduced a new sanctions bill targeting countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, warning that failure to comply with US pressure will result in significant economic consequences.

According to Graham, the bill proposes a 100% tariff on oil imports from China, India, and Brazil—three countries that collectively account for up to 80% of Russia’s oil exports.

“Putin, your turn is coming—Donald Trump is the Scottie Scheffler of American politics and foreign diplomacy, and he’s about to put a whooping on your ass,” Graham said.

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Meet a 23-year-old cybersecurity influencer who gets hundreds of TikTok messages a day from Gen Z job seekers hungry for career advice

Originally published on Fortune Magazine

By Nino Paoli- News Fellow

July 19, 2025 at 7:27 AM EDT

Nav Karmacharya, a 23-year-old cybersecurity analyst, is one of the countless social media influencers who post career-related content on TikTok. He’s amassed 14,000 followers—primarily students and early career professionals—on the app in four months, just by posting his day-to-day life as a worker in cybersecurity. Karmacharya’s following represents a growing number of young adults looking for career guidance on social platforms, researchers tell Fortune.

Most times Pranav (Nav) Karmacharya works from home. Sometimes he decides to hop over to a local college and find somewhere comfy to catch up on Slack messages; other times he’s recording himself at 5 a.m. waiting in an airport to fly to San Francisco for a work trip.

Such is the life of a TikTok career influencer.

Besides following the common creator formula of day-in-the-life of—insert any job title imaginable here—the 23-year-old also posts advice suggesting favorable internships to secure if someone wants to get into the cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance space, or quick explainers like: “Maturing is realizing that there’s a non-technical field within cybersecurity.”

Who watches a cybersecurity analyst work from home? Ask his 14,000 followers.

Karmacharya told Fortune in a direct message that he receives hundreds of questions and comments daily about his job through DMs and TikTok Lives. A two-hour-long July 9 Live of his racked up more than 600 comments, according to TikTok metrics reviewed by Fortune. The Chime cybersecurity analyst is one among countless social media influencers who post career-related content, growing a sizable following in just four months. His success comes as young adults find schools and employers inadequate in teaching them about career fields they’d like to explore.

A study released this week found that seven in 10 young adults aged 16-to-24 find educational and career opportunities on social media. Those surveyed prefer to find advice for planning their future on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube over meeting with teachers or professors and guidance counselors and exploring job search sites.

The study, which polled 2,820 young adults—the majority coming from low-and-middle-income households—reveals more than four in 10 of those surveyed also feel the education and employment resources available to them fail to provide effective career guidance.

“I feel like a job coach and mentor most days,” Karmacharya wrote.

Karmacharya said that most people who reach out to him are students or early-career professionals trying to break into cybersecurity. They often ask about his day-to-day life as a cybersecurity analyst, paths to take in the industry, and how to upskill and stand out.

“A lot of students don’t have strong mentorship from professors or peers, so they turn to creators online who are already doing the kind of work they want to do,” Karmacharya wrote.

The study’s finding aligns with Karmacharya’s perspective—four in 10 young adults report actively seeking career-related content on social media, while another 30% encounter it passively while scrolling.

“Social media has really turned into the new career coach for young adults,” Rajiv Chandrasekaran, a managing director at the Schultz Family Foundation, a Seattle-based nonprofit that worked on the study, told Fortune.

Chandrasekaran said the reason that young adults turn to social media for career advice is the opposite of what one might think: It’s less to do with them already using social media more often than previous generations, and more to do with traditional resources not meeting their needs.

“Adults who are supposed to be guiding and supporting young people in many ways are misaligned in providing outdated guidance to young people. And that is, in many cases, complicating their journey into the working world,” Chandrasekaran said.

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Researchers of the study told Fortune the findings conflict with parents’ perceptions of the resources available to their children for success. The survey also polled 992 parents of 16-to-24-year-olds, 16% of whom encouraged social media as a tool for career and self-exploration.

But, that won’t stop these job hopefuls from exploring career options via doom scroll.

Some social media creators that post career-related content garner tens of millions of views. Take, for example, AdviceWithErin, a career and life advice creator with 2.2 million followers on Instagram, whose reels average hundreds of thousands of views and have reached 50 million plays.

AdviceWithErin is one of around 30 career-related content creators Lindsay Sardarsingh, a health insurance consultant, started following at 22 years old.

Sardarsingh told Fortune in a direct message the creators she’s followed have taught her how to communicate and ask the right questions when navigating through different career opportunities.

Cybersecurity analyst Karmacharya’s following is much more industry-specific, attracting people interested in learning more about his career. Yet, his expertise is in high demand for a niche industry, which he says is often misunderstood by young adults.

“The No. 1 question I get is: ‘What certs should I get to break into cybersecurity?’” Karmacharya wrote. “People tend to over-focus on certifications and overlook the importance of hands-on experience, soft skills, and networking—which are often more important when trying to land that first job.”

Karmacharya attributes his 9-to-5 success to mentors he met throughout five internships during college, one being at Deloitte, where he realized he wanted to go into cybersecurity full-time.

Dritan Nesho, the CEO of HarrisX, a Washington, D.C.-based research consultancy that directed the study, told Fortune young adults are substituting day-in-the-life content on social media for job shadowing and hard-to-find real-life exposure to learn more about potential career pathways.

“This is one of the big gaps that employers leave behind, which is not offering enough internship opportunities [and] mentorship opportunities for these young adults to get a feel for what working within these organizations is about and then how to kind of break through the door,” Nesho said.

Schultz Family Foundation’s Chandrasekaran added the study’s findings show just how much the younger generation is committed to seeking out information on career paths they might want to pursue.

“On one hand, it shows the creativity and gumption of young adults to find a solution, to lean into technology, to harness social media for good,” he said. “At the same time, we see in this a warning sign that traditional institutions that should be helping young adults are failing to help guide, navigate and support them on this journey from school to work.”

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A new HarrisX poll shows a dynamic and tightening situation in the crowded race for mayor. CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer reports.

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New Poll Shows What Voters Think Of Big Beautiful Bill— And Why White House Has Some Marketing To Do

By ForbesTV, Forbes Staff Jul 16, 2025, 11:33am EDT


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On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll showing President Trump's approval rating and how voters feel about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Watch the full interview above.

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Zohran Mamdani Gets Potential Warning Sign in New Poll

Published Jul 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM EDT on Newsweek By Anna Commander Deputy News Editor

Democratic mayoral primary winner and state Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is barely leading the pack of candidates to potentially govern New York City in a new poll released Tuesday.

The survey shows he is in a statistical tie with former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa after previously landing positive polls on the heels of his primary win.

Why It Matters

The statistical tie between Mamdani, who captured the Democratic nomination with a surprise primary win, and Cuomo, running under his new "Fight and Deliver" party, underscores the unprecedented realignment of New York City politics. Traditionally, the Democratic primary winner holds a commanding lead into November.

This year, however, Mamdani's break from establishment norms, as a democratic socialist—and his ambitious policy proposals—have not at the moment garnered formal public endorsements from New York's Democratic leaders, reflecting the degree of uncertainty and division within the party.

His platform, which proposes measures like free city buses and city-owned grocery stores, marks a distinct departure from prior mayoral campaigns and long-standing party orthodoxies.

The poll results emerge as Cuomo relaunched his campaign as an independent following his primary defeat by Mamdani. The state assemblyman, meanwhile, continued drawing support through a platform centered on affordability and sweeping progressive reforms. With multiple prominent independents in the race—including Mayor Eric Adams and other rivals—the New York City mayoral contest has entered a ramped-up and competitive phase.

What To Know

In the HarrisX poll released Tuesday, Mamdani received 26 percent of the vote in a four-way race. Cuomo picked up 23 percent; Adams collected 13 percent; and Sliwa landed 22 percent.

Cuomo, Mamdani and Sliwa all fall within the margin of error of 4.1 percent. The survey was conducted online July 7 and July 8 among 585 registered New York City voters.

The poll was also conducted before Cuomo announced his bid to run as an independent.

In head-to-head matchups, the survey shows Mamdani surging ahead of Adams, 43 percent to 36 percent, but faring poorly against Cuomo.

In the two-person matchup, Cuomo received 50 percent of the vote compared to Mamdani's 35 percent.

Newsweek also reached out to Mamdani and Adams' campaigns via email for comment.

In other polls since his primary win, Mamdani has held a decisive lead over Cuomo, Adams and Sliwa.

In an interview with News 12 New York that aired Tuesday night, Mamdani was asked about his lack of formal endorsements from party leadership.

"I've been having a number of conversations with leaders across our party and across the city and state and I've appreciated those conversations with Governor [Kathy] Hochul, with Senator [Chuck] Schumer, with Congressman [Hakeem] Jeffries. They are conversations that have always come back to the importance of affordability in the fight for working New Yorkers."

Mamdani added that he looks at these lawmakers as "partners" in delivering affordability and noted their defense of him after swipes from President Donald Trump.

What People Are Saying

Sliwa, in an emailed statement sent to Newsweek reacting to the poll: "For the first time since 2009, a Republican for NYC mayor is within the margin of error to win. That Republican is me. The momentum is real. I'm running to be the People's Mayor and I'm going to win on November 4th!"

Mamdani posted to X on Monday: "While Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams trip over each other to win the approval of billionaires in backrooms, our campaign remains focused on working New Yorkers and their clear desire for a different kind of politics."

Adams, on X last week: "Zohran Mamdani studied poverty. I lived it. He's an academic elitist with plans he can't implement, or worse, that would hurt working-class New Yorkers. Affordability is a real crisis, and I'm fighting for the people who feel it every single day. I grew up poor, joined the working class, and have spent my life fighting for them. Over the past three years, I've put $30 billion back in their pockets through targeted tax relief and expanded benefits. This campaign, like my mayoralty, is about them."

Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX, in the poll: "These numbers show a volatile race still taking shape. While the progressive base is fueling Mamdani's rise, Cuomo's broad name recognition and moderate appeal make him a formidable general election challenger."

Laura Tamman, clinical assistant professor of political science at Pace University, to Newsweek via email Tuesday: "This pollster does not have a strong track record in general, and specifically in this race: https://www.harrisx.com/posts/fix-the-city-final-pre-primary-poll-cuomo-maintains-comfortable-lead-over-mamdani. I would not make any judgements based on their data."

Tamman added: "Mamdani won very broadly, with voters from a range of ideological points of view and diverse demographic profiles. He made history by bringing a significant number of new, young voters into the process. I don't see a path for any of the opposing candidates on the ballot, unless something dramatic and unforeseen happens between now and November. If Cuomo were to mount an energetic campaign, he might be able to keep it competitive. Nothing in the way he has conducted himself since he "relaunched" his campaign, however, suggests he has the energy or enthusiasm to make this a close race."

What Happens Next

With the general election approaching in November, polling will play an increasingly critical role, particularly as Cuomo and other independent candidates weigh their odds against Mamdani.

Update 7/15/25, 10:42 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Mamdani on News 12 New York.

New HarrisX Poll Shows Open and Competitive Field in Four- and Three- Candidate Race Permutations

Cuomo Leads Mamdani in a Head-to-Head Race by 15 Points
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NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new poll from HarrisX finds the New York City mayoral race shaping up to be a tight and competitive contest, with Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani statistically tied with former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in a four-way race. While Mamdani leads Mayor Eric Adams in a head-to-head race, the poll shows Cuomo defeating the Democratic nominee by a wide 15-point margin in a one-on-one contest.

The survey of 585 registered New York City voters was conducted online between July 7–8, with key findings including:

• In a four-way race, Mamdani (26 percent) is tied with Cuomo (23 percent) and Sliwa (22 percent), all within the margin of error. Adams is at 13 percent and 15 percent of voters are undecided.
• In a three-way race without Adams, Cuomo (31 percent) is statistically tied with Mamdani (29 percent) and Sliwa (28 percent).
• In a three-way race without Cuomo, Mamdani leads by 10 points, winning 35 percent to Sliwa's 25 percent and Adams' 19 percent.
• In head-to-head matchups, Mamdani topples Adams 43 percent to 36 percent, but trails Cuomo 35 percent to 50 percent, a 15-point advantage for Cuomo.

The results show that Mamdani benefits most if Cuomo is not in the race, gaining a 10-point lead in that scenario. Conversely, Cuomo gains ground if Adams is not in the race and wins outright in a head-to-head matchup with Mamdani.

"These numbers show a volatile race still taking shape," said Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX. "While the progressive base is fueling Mamdani's rise, Cuomo's broad name recognition and moderate appeal make him a formidable general election challenger."

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Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online from July 7–8, 2025 among 585 registered voters in New York City. Respondents are recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods. The results reflect a representative sample of likely registered voters in New York City. Results were weighted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, borough, party, and ideology where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. The margin of error for the total sample is ±4.1 percentage points. This study was conducted independently by HarrisX prior to Andrew Cuomo's announcement to run as an independent in the general election.

About HarrisX
HarrisX is a leading strategic research, data analytics and AI consultancy focused on emerging technologies, business and social trends, public policy and politics. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in the United States and over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, NGOs, global leaders and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and one of the most accurate outfits in the 2024 presidential election, correctly calling the results in five out of seven battleground states and the national vote.

SOURCE HarrisX

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Pioneering Study Reveals a School-to-Work Crisis Threatening Gen Z’s Future

‍Jul 15, 2025 8:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Research shows young Americans seek professional success but face deeply fractured pathways to the job market because educators, parents and employers are misaligned and provide outdated guidance

This Broken Marketplace impacts a majority of the 30 million young adults in America and poses a serious threat to building the U.S. workforce needed to support economic growth

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Schultz Family Foundation and research consultancy HarrisX released a major new study today revealing how the paths from school to work for millions of young Americans—both those with and without college degrees—are far more fractured than previously known, posing a significant threat to building the future American workforce.

Data from The Broken Marketplace: America's School-to-Work Crisis, a sweeping survey of more than 5,700 young Americans aged 16 to 24 and the adults meant to support and guide them, shows that the difficulty young adults face in finding jobs is not a temporary blip. Rather, many of the people and institutions designed to support young adults on the journey from school to work are fundamentally out of sync with the rapidly shifting modern economy, and their challenges are poised to get worse as advances in artificial intelligence further impact the labor market.

More than four in 10 young adults surveyed said both the education system (43%) and the employment resources (45%) to which they have access are broken and are not providing them with effective guidance. They voiced worry that employment will become even more difficult as AI impacts the job market: Nearly half (46%) said they feel unprepared, or are unsure of their preparation, for jobs of the future.

“Today’s young people are eager to succeed, but the systems meant to support them are falling short,” said Vivek Varma, ceo of the Schultz Family Foundation. “This research provides key insights to design a better marketplace that is built for more informed choices, accessible resources, lifelong learning, flexible pathways and opportunity accessible to all.”

A first-of-its-kind study, the Broken Marketplace also involved detailed surveys of parents, educators and employers to reveal the ways they are misaligned with each other. For example, 77% of employers report requiring at least a year of experience from those seeking entry-level jobs, yet most do not offer internships, apprenticeships or other programs designed to provide early-career experience. More than nine in 10 (93%) parents say school is preparing their young adult for the workforce, but 52% of employers say there is a mismatch in school curricula and the skills their industry needs.

Of the approximately 30 million Americans between 18 and 24 years old, a majority are struggling to flourish in the Broken Marketplace. More than half are unemployed, churning through low-wage jobs or working in roles beneath their educational attainment, according to an analysis by the Burning Glass Institute.

“What we found is that employers, educators, and parents are caught in a finger-pointing loop in the Broken Marketplace, each expecting the other to fill the gap,” said Dritan Nesho, CEO and head researcher at HarrisX. “The result is a vacuum of relevant and reliable support for young adults, which has pushed them increasingly towards social media and away from traditional guidance systems.”

Other significant findings include:

• Social media is the new career coach: Seven in 10 young adults learn about educational (79%) or career pathways (70%) on social media, but only 16% of parents and 22% of navigators encourage social media as a tool for self-exploration.
• Young women are facing a quiet mental health crisis: Despite conventional wisdom about young men feeling “lost,” the study found young women are facing greater mental health challenges and job market anxieties. Only 50% of young women 18 to 24 years old feel prepared for the jobs of the future, compared to 61% of their male peers, while 51% of young women say they’ve experienced mental health challenges compared to 36% of men.
• AI is seen both as an essential tool and a threat to skills: 30% of young adults rely on AI to learn new skills but 60% of educators say AI is hindering skill-building for the future workforce.
• Mental health is top priority: 37% of young adults rank mental health as one of the most important factors to their success, ahead of building a career or pursuing more education. Seventy-five percent of young adults are still feeling impacts of COVID shutdowns, with 31% citing a direct impact of the pandemic on their mental health today.

“The findings illuminate how a broad swath of Generation Z remains far from tapping its full potential because of systemic inertia that leaves too many young people stranded at the moment they should be starting their careers,” said Rajiv Chandrasekaran, a Managing Director of the Schultz Family Foundation. “This Broken Marketplace poses a significant risk to building the future workforce our nation needs, particularly at a time when the country is seeking to increase domestic industrial production.”

HarrisX conducted 5,771 quantitative and qualitative interviews for the study. Quantitative online interviews were conducted with 2,820 16- to 24-year-olds, with a focus on middle- to low-income households; 992 parents of young adults; 1,267 educators, guidance counselors, community leaders and career/workforce specialists; and 607 human resources professionals and hiring managers.

To learn more, visit www.brokenmarketplace.org.

About the Schultz Family Foundation

The Schultz Family Foundation’s mission is to create greater opportunity, accessible to all. Our work is deeply rooted in the lives and values of our co-founders, Sheri and Howard Schultz, who believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We seek to apply the lessons they have learned over the decades to seed innovations and scale solutions to help young people successfully navigate the transition to adulthood and positively impact the trajectory of their lives. We are investors in unleashing potential and unlocking opportunity, working in partnership with employers, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and governments that share our aspiration of enabling everyone to access the full promise of America. Learn more at: www.schultzfamilyfoundation.org.

About HarrisX

HarrisX is a leading strategic research, data analytics and AI consultancy focused on emerging technologies, business and social trends, social impact, public policy and politics. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in the United States and over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, NGOs, global leaders and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was one of the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and one of the most accurate outfits in the 2024 presidential election, correctly calling the results in 5 out of 7 battleground states and the national vote. For more info visit: www.harrisx.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:
team@storytellingforgood.com

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New study reveals threats to the Class of 2025. Fixing them should be Job No. 1 for America

We’re not on track to build the workforce that America needs to grow

By Howard Schultz , Sheri Kersch Schultz Fox News

Published July 15, 2025 5:00am EDT on Fox News Opinion


This summer should be bringing the Class of 2025 a moment of well-deserved relaxation before they launch their careers. Instead, far too many college and high-school graduates are filled with anxiety. They’ve applied for dozens, perhaps hundreds, of jobs, but interviews and offers have become increasingly rare.  

The national unemployment rate for young adults aged 20 to 24 looking for work is 6.6% — the highest level in a decade, excluding the pandemic unemployment spike. Among those without college degrees the situation is even more dire: The unemployment rate for high-school graduates aged 18 to 19 is 14.5%.

The precipitous reduction of entry-level hiring has been blamed on tariff-induced economic uncertainty and employers betting that artificial intelligence advances will reduce labor needs. Once there is greater clarity on both fronts, many expect hiring to increase.

But what if this is more than a short-term blip?

A major new study by research consultancy HarrisX, funded by our family foundation, reveals that school-to-work pathways for millions of young Americans — both those with and without college degrees — are far more deeply fractured than previously known, posing a significant threat to building the future workforce essential to growing the U.S. economy.

More than four in 10 young people say both the education system and the employment resources to which they have access are broken and not providing them effective guidance. And they worry employment will become even more difficult as AI impacts the job market: Nearly half said they feel unprepared, or are unsure of their preparation, for jobs of the future.

The study reveals how a broad swath of Generation Z between 16 and 24 years old remains far from tapping its full potential because of systemic inertia that leaves too many young people stranded at the start of their careers.

Many young people are not being adequately served by the institutions they encounter at every stage of their journey into adulthood, from high schools that do not expose students to a range of careers and non-college training pathways to achieve good jobs, to employers who are unwilling to invest in building hard and soft skills among new hires.  

This broken marketplace has significant consequences for the future of the U.S. economy, particularly efforts by the Trump administration to increase domestic industrial production, which will require a larger pipeline of skilled workers.

Our nation has millions of open jobs — more than 7 million of them, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The problem for the Class of 2025, and many other jobseekers, is that the skills taught in our high schools and colleges aren’t aligned with what many businesses need, especially advanced manufacturers.

Many of those unfilled jobs — and more so in the future — require applicants to possess more than just a high-school or college degree. Yet too many young adults lack the guidance and resources to acquire the necessary skills and credentials.

Too often, adults fault young people for not demonstrating more initiative and gumption in their journey into working life. But everyone who engages with young adults is responsible:

Nearly 80% of parents rely on their own dated personal experiences and input from friends and family — as opposed to outside resources —  to guide their children.

Eighty-five percent of educators and career navigators don’t collaborate with employers.

More than three-in-four employers require at least a year of experience from those seeking entry-level jobs, yet most do not offer internships, apprenticeships or other programs designed to provide early-career experience.

Having been connected to a Fortune 500 company for three decades, we know well the pressure to use every dollar to grow the bottom line. But our businesses and our overall economy won’t thrive over the long run if firms don’t invest in creating new opportunities for workers.

One of the innovations at Starbucks of which we are most proud has nothing to do with coffee. It was the decision to offer every Starbucks barista the opportunity to launch new careers by enrolling online at Arizona State University for free. To date, more than 16,000 of them have graduated with bachelor’s degrees — vaulting many into new roles inside and outside the company, with an average pay increase of $40,000 within 18 months.

The alarming headline about recent graduates should bolt us out of our complacency. Too many of our systems were designed for a different era. The old model of earning a degree and staying with one employer for decades no longer fits today’s dynamic workforce.  

The challenge now is to build a better marketplace — one that is nimble, forward-looking, and grounded in the realities of a global, tech-driven economy. That marketplace requires embracing the power of AI to help repair what it is destroying: AI-powered agents and other tech tools that can help young people navigate options with more clarity. By surfacing internships, training programs, and regionally relevant opportunities, we can meet students with the right guidance at the right time.

We need more relevant insights about emerging opportunities, the value of different pathways and credentials, and labor-market disruptions. We also must embrace a fundamental change in how we all learn, from a learn-then-work model to a world of lifelong learning, hands-on skills, and fluid pathways across industries. As ASU President Michael Crow puts it, the mission of education is not to "complete" a student; it is to launch a learner for life.

Only then can this generation achieve a real chance to rise and achieve a new American Dream. This is moment to build a future that delivers progress not just for the Class of 2025, but for every class after them.  

Sheri Kersch Schultz is co-founder and chair of the Schultz Family Foundation.

Howard Schultz is chairman emeritus of the Starbucks Coffee Company, which he ran for more than three decades.

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Gen Z's broken school-to-work pipeline

By Axios' Erica Pandey , originally published on Axios July 15 2025

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America’s next wave of workers is stuck in a misaligned job market: The career guidance they’re getting from their parents, teachers and counselors isn’t in sync with their economic reality, according to a new report from the Schultz Family Foundation and HarrisX.

Why it matters: The disconnect is driving youth unemployment — and leaving many young people uneasy about their place in the workforce.

The big picture: AI is changing the job market faster than ever, but the generation of workers that will be working on and with this new technology doesn't feel ready to do so.

• 46% of young people surveyed say they’re unsure about or unprepared for the jobs of the future.
• "That’s a real alarm bell for our nation," says Rajiv Chandrasekaran, a managing director at the Schultz Family Foundation. "The people who are essential to helping support young people are fundamentally misaligned."

Zoom in: Study authors polled thousands of 16- to 24-year-olds, parents of young adults, counselors, educators and employers. They found clear contrasts between how each group viewed today’s job market.

• Take job prospects. Just 43% of young people say there are enough opportunities for job-seekers, compared with 71% of employers.
• 53% of parents and 57% of counselors say there are enough jobs.

"Parents are working off of an outdated playbook," says Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX. "It's one of the key reasons why we see these young adults are lost. The resource they rely on the most is present but not engaged in the right ways."

• 66% of parents think their kids should take paths different for their own, but the vast majority (79%) of parents say they draw on personal experience when giving career advice. Those experiences don't line up with the rapidly changing labor market young graduates are facing today.
• Counselors and educators are also overwhelmed. 58% say today's education and job market resources aren't effectively guiding young people.

The other side: The employers who are hiring this next generation of workers have their own gripes. 44% think young people are ill-prepared for entering the workforce.

• But employers themselves need to be the ones providing that experience, study authors say. "Employers all say the correct things about wanting to help America's youth, but they create unrealistic barriers," says HarrisX's Nesho.
• 77% require at least a year of experience for entry-level roles, but just 38% offer internships. 43% require a four-year degree for entry-level jobs, but 40% of them say they keep that requirement because it's industry practice, not because it's needed to do the job.

Case in point: Aaliyah Kashem, a 22-year-old young woman in New York City, tells Axios she's currently working as a security guard at a Manhattan building and would like to move into a career in business or health care.

• Kashem says "college is needed," but it's also not affordable right now. She says she's building up communication and customer service skills in her job, but isn't sure what's next.
• "I'm taking things one step at a time," Kashem says. "I have all these skills, but how do I put that on a resume to show what I know?"

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Trump’s immigration policies get strong backing in new poll

by Julia Manchester - 07/14/25 2:21 PM ET
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Sixty percent of voters surveyed said they support Trump’s efforts to close the border, including 89 percent of Republicans, 55 percent of independents and 34 percent of Democrats.

Seventy-five percent of respondents also said they support the administration’s efforts to deport criminals who are in the country illegally, including 93 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of independents, and 59 percent of Democrats.

“Huge majorities of Americans support the removal of criminals here illegally but also care about human rights and due process being observed,” the poll’s director Mark Penn said.

The same poll found that voters were divided over Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement: 52 percent said the administration was “doing the right thing” in enforcing its immigration policy, while 48 percent said it is “going too far in its enforcement actions.”

Nearly 60 percent of respondents said there needs to be more due process guaranteed hearings to prevent unfair deportations, while 41 percent said the government needs to act quickly to deport criminals from the U.S.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll was conducted July 6-8 among 2,044 registered voters. It is a collaboration of the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and the Harris Poll.

The survey is an online sample drawn from the Harris Panel and weighted to reflect known demographics. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

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45% OF VOTERS SAY INFLATION AND AFFORDABILITY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THEM PERSONALLY, UP 6 POINTS FROM JUNE

69% OF VOTERS SAY BIDEN'S OPEN BORDER WAS A DELIBERATE POLICY

80% OF VOTERS SUPPORT THE U.S. TAKING ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO PREVENT IRAN FROM OBTAINING A NUCLEAR WEAPON
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NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the July Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump's approval rating is at 47% (+1 pt., June 2025), with highest approval among Republican, male, 35-44 y.o., white, and rural voters. Trump's job approval continues to be strongest on immigration (50%) and returning America to its values (50%), and weakest on tariffs and trade policy (42%) and handling inflation (42%). This month's poll also covered public opinion on the economy, immigration, the "Big Beautiful Bill," tariffs, conflicts in the Middle East, and the war in Ukraine. Download the key results here.

"Trump's approval rating has stabilized, but it's a split electorate and the administration will ultimately rise or fall based on his ability to handle inflation," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "But the administration has a lot to work with in terms of gaining support for the 'Big Beautiful Bill' with many individual policy proposals and tax cuts in the bill popular across political parties."

VOTERS WHO STRONGLY DISAPPROVE OF TRUMP TICKS UP BUT DEMOCRATIC PARTY APPROVAL RATING REMAINS UNDERWATER

• 38% of voters say they strongly disapprove of the job Trump is doing as President, up 6 points from February 2025. But the Democratic Party approval rating remains low at 40% (-2 pts., June 2025), while the Republican Party approval rating is at 48% (+1).
• 56% of voters say the economy is on the wrong track.
• 43% of voters say their personal financial situation is getting worse (+4 pts., May 2025). Democrats, Independents, women, 55-64 y.o., Black, and rural voters are more likely than not to say it is getting worse.
• Inflation, immigration, the economy, and healthcare are the top important issues for voters today, with 24% prioritizing healthcare (+6).
• Among key political figures, Trump has the highest favorability at 47% (0 net favorable), followed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (+5 net favorable). Voters have a more unfavorable view of Elon Musk (-16 net unfavorable) and Chuck Schumer (-15 net unfavorable). Most voters have not heard of or have no opinion of Zohran Mamdani (-8 net unfavorable).

VOTERS SUPPORT MOST OF TRUMP'S POLICIES FROM HIS FIRST SIX MONTHS BUT ARE MORE PESSIMISTIC ON TRADE DEALS AND FOREIGN CONFLICTS

• The large majority of Trump's policies continue to have majority support, with 85% of voters supporting lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients and low-income patients, and 79% of voters supporting deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes. On the other hand, 56% of voters oppose making cost cuts to Medicaid by adding work requirements, and 49% of voters oppose placing tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada.
• 55% of voters support the decision of the Supreme Court to limit the ability of individual federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions, including 33% of Democrats.
• 43% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing worse than expected (Democrats: 70%; Republicans: 14%; Independents: 47%).
• 49% of voters believe Trump is making good deals on behalf of the country (-3 pts., June 2025).
• 59% of voters say Trump will not solve the Israel-Hamas conflict (-6).

17 OUT OF 21 POLICY PROPOSALS WITHIN THE "BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL" HAVE MAJORITY SUPPORT AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE HEARD OF THE BILL

• 80% of voters have heard of the "Big Beautiful Bill" (+13).
• 44% of voters support the bill (+4), while 44% oppose it (+2). Among those who have heard of the bill, 48% of voters oppose it (+2 net oppose; Democrats: 70%; Republicans: 19%; Independents: 45%).
• Policy proposals within the bill like expanding health savings accounts for farmers (76%), reducing federal spending by $1.3 trillion (69%), increasing the child tax credit (67%), eliminating taxes on tips (66%), boosting military and naval spending (66%), and investing in rural broadband (66%) are the most popular, with majority support across political parties and among those who have heard of the bill.
• Taxing remittances sent abroad (43%) and removing tax and registration for firearm silencers (31%) have the lowest support among the bill's policies.
• 52% of voters say making 2017 tax cuts permanent will increase federal debt (+12 pts., June 2025).

VOTERS NOW SEE THE ECONOMY SOLIDLY IN TRUMP'S HANDS

• 62% of voters say Trump is mostly responsible for the state of the economy today (+7), including a majority across political parties.
• 53% of voters trust the Trump administration and Republicans more than Democrats in Congress to manage the economy (+3).
• 56% of voters say Trump is losing the battle against inflation and that his tariffs are harming the economy.
• 56% of voters say the U.S. is not in a recession, though 59% of Democrats say we are in a recession.
• 46% of voters, a plurality, say recent economic news is mostly negative, though more voters say they've seen mostly positive news stories in the last few weeks (31%; +7 pts., June 2025).

TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICIES RECEIVE STRONG SUPPORT, WITH TWO-THIRDS OF VOTERS ATTRIBUTING OPEN BORDER TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

• 60% of voters support the Trump administration's efforts to close the southern border (-3 pts., June 2025; Democrats: 34%; Republicans: 89%; Independents: 55%), and 75% support the administration's efforts to deport criminals who are here illegally, including a majority across political parties.
• 67% of voters say the border was open rather than secure under the Biden administration, and 69% say it was a deliberate policy (Democrats: 48%; Republicans: 88%; Independents: 60%).
• 79% of voters say convicted criminals who are here illegally should be deported after their sentence is over, including a majority across parties.
• 65% of voters oppose allowing cities and towns to block the deportation of convicted criminals (Democrats: 52%; Republicans: 72%; Independents: 69%).
• 59% say more due process is needed to prevent unfair deportations, and 52% of voters say Democrats are fighting for human rights in defending deportations.
• 55% of voters support automatic citizenship for the children of those who are here illegally, and 65% say the Constitution requires birthright citizenship (Democrats: 77%; Republicans: 54%; Independents: 66%).

U.S. STRIKE ON IRAN SEES MAJORITY SUPPORT; VOTERS WANT THE U.S. TO DEFEND ISRAEL IF IRAN RETALIATES

• 78% of voters support Israel over Iran in the Israel-Iran conflict, including a majority across political parties and age groups.
• 58% of voters support the Trump administration's strike on Iran's nuclear sites last month, including a majority of voters over 25 y.o., and 54% say it was a major accomplishment of the U.S. military.
• 51% of voters say the strike did severe damage to Iran's nuclear program.
• 61% of voters support the U.S. defending Israel if Iran retaliates (Democrats: 51%; Republicans: 76%; Independents: 55%), and 86% say Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
• 61% of voters favor a permanent deal preventing nuclear weapons development over a temporary deal.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS WANT HAMAS TO LEAVE GAZA

• 77% of voters support Israel over Hamas in the Israel-Hamas conflict, and 80% say Hamas must release all remaining hostages without any conditions, including a majority across political parties and age groups.
• 56% of voters say Israel should only make a deal with Hamas if Hamas leaves Gaza (Democrats: 48%; Republicans: 62%: Independents: 56%).
• 53% of voters support Trump's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict (+2).

VOTERS WANT TRUMP TO BE TOUGHER ON PUTIN WITH CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR PROVIDING WEAPONRY TO UKRAINE

• 60% of voters say Trump has not been tough enough with Putin (Democrats: 73%; Republicans: 48%; Independents: 58%).
• 53% of voters say they are not satisfied with Trump's handling of Ukraine-Russia talks (+6 net unsatisfied).
• 65% of voters support continuing to provide weaponry to Ukraine and sanctioning Russia (+3 pts., June 2025), including a majority across political parties.
• 72% of voters say America's relationship with Ukraine is more valuable than with Russia (+4).
• 73% of voters say Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing games and stalling with the West rather than genuinely wanting to end the war in Ukraine.

The July Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on July 6-8, 2025, among 2,044 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com  

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Majority of Americans express patriotism, but doubts linger about government trust and national direction.

July 4th, 2024
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Pride Meets Reflection

As Americans come together to celebrate Independence Day, a new HarrisX survey reveals a nation that is proud yet deeply reflective. On the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, most Americans cherish their country — even as many question whether its founders would approve of where it stands today.

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Key Findings at a Glance

• 83% of Americans say they are proud to be American
• 69% believe the U.S. is the greatest country in the world
• 50% think the Founding Fathers would be disappointed in the nation’s current state
• Only 1 in 3 believe the government acts in the best interest of the people
• 2 in 3 say politicians prioritize personal gain over public service

What Makes Americans Proud

Freedom and individual rights continue to top the list of what Americans are most proud of. Despite political and economic challenges, the U.S. is still widely viewed as a land of opportunity — a place where hard work can lead to a better life.

The Trust Deficit

While patriotic sentiment remains strong, trust in the political system is alarmingly low:

• Just 33% of Americans trust that the government works in the people’s interest.
• Most believe elected officials are motivated by self-interest, not service.

Looking Ahead to 250

Even as Americans look forward to the nation’s 250th birthday with pride, they carry serious concerns about:

• Income inequality
• Rising healthcare costs
• Gun violence
• A political system seen as divisive and influenced by money

A Complex but Committed Nation

The survey reveals a uniquely American contradiction — a nation that celebrates its achievements while remaining unafraid to criticize itself. In this way, the spirit of “a more perfect Union” lives on: a country always striving, always debating, and always believing in the power of its people.

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Bullish on Trump: Crypto Investors Give Policies a Thumbs-Up

Survey finds Trump’s approach is driving approval and market optimism

🇺🇸 Welcome to the 4th of July edition of the Crypto In America newsletter!

What you’ll read: Trump’s crypto policies score big with investors, plus the top headlines this week.

Crypto investors are largely approving of the Trump Administration’s policies on digital assets, according to a new poll from research firm HarrisX.

The survey shows crypto investors know Trump’s crypto policies well — 81% say they’re familiar, and 73% approve, the highest approval rating across all issues tested, including immigration, government costs, and “returning America to its values.” Trump’s net approval on crypto policy sits at +56 points, compared to +48 or lower on those other key issues.

Read full the full Crypto in America newsletter here.


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WASHINGTON, July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national survey conducted by HarrisX finds that cryptocurrency investors are highly aligned with President Donald Trump's approach to digital assets, with his policies earning the strongest approval ratings of any issue tested in the poll.

81% of crypto investors say they are familiar with the Trump Administration's cryptocurrency policies, and among this group, sentiment is overwhelmingly positive:

• 73% of crypto investors approve of the job Trump is doing on cryptocurrencies, the highest approval rating across all issues tested
• 71% say the Administration's policies have positively impacted crypto as a financial asset
• 64% report being more likely to invest in cryptocurrencies because of Trump's policies

The poll was conducted June 18–19 among 1,096 U.S. adults, including a sample of 230 cryptocurrency investors. The results show broad awareness and support for Trump's stance on crypto.

"The cryptocurrencies market is entering a goldilocks period thanks to the Trump administration's regulatory clarity and support, and the resulting rise in investor confidence," said Dritan Nesho, CEO and chief researcher at HarrisX. "Crypto investors, who now represent over 80 million Americans, say Trump's policies have improved the investment case for digital assets, and nearly half of all retail investors now agree. Leadership and a proactive posture on these issues has generated real market traction."

"Policy alignment is driving market participation and optimism in the crypto sector," added Alex Chizhik, Chief Commercial Officer at HarrisX. "This is a unique opportunity for the industry to expand to new business opportunities like crypto-based treasuries and lagging segments such as female and more democratic or progressive investors."

The poll also reveals that crypto investors are growing more optimistic about the digital asset market:

• 82% say now is a good time to invest in crypto, up 9 points since March 2025 when HarrisX the same poll among 3,192 adults and 433 cryptocurrency investors
• 73% plan to invest in the next month (up 6 points)
• More investors believe crypto is a strong bet both in the short term (81%, up 4 points) and long term (81%, up 6 points)

Trump's policies appear to be resonating outside the core crypto community as well. Nearly half (49%) of retail investors say the Trump Administration has had a positive impact on crypto investments, and 40% say they're more likely to invest because of those policies.

Approval of Trump among crypto investors is also rising overall, up 9 points since March (72% now vs. 63% then), with net approval for his work on cryptocurrencies standing at +56, outpacing other policy areas like the economy (+39), immigration (+42), and cost of government (+48).

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Data Methodology
The survey was conducted online within the United States from June 18-19 among 1,096 adults via the HarrisX Overnight Poll. The sample includes 230 cryptocurrency investors with 133 respondents coming from the nationally representative sample and an additional oversample of 97 crypto investors. The June data is compared to an initial wave of the study that was conducted from March 5-15 among 3,192 adults, including 433 cryptocurrency investors.

Respondents for the HarrisX Overnight Poll are recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods.

The results reflect a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Results were weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, and income where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. The margin of error for the June 18-19 study is +/-3.0 percentage points for all adults and +/- 6.5 percentage points for cryptocurrency investors. The margin of error for the March 5-15 study is +/- 1.7 percentage points for all adults and +/- 4.7 percentage points for cryptocurrency investors.

About HarrisX
HarrisX is the preeminent strategic research and data analytics company focused on emerging technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Cryptocurrencies and Web3. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in the United States and over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and one of the most accurate outfits in the 2024 presidential election, correctly calling the results in 5 out of 7 battleground states and Donald Trump winning the national vote.

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Recent findings from research consultancy HarrisX underscore a pronounced alignment between the crypto investor community and the Trump Administration's stance on digital assets. An overwhelming 81% of crypto investors report being familiar with the Administration’s crypto policies, and this awareness translates into highly favorable sentiment. Some highlight datapoints that stood out are:

• 71% of crypto investors say Trump administration policies have had a positive impact on cryptocurrencies as a financial asset. Nearly half (49%) of all retail investors agree.
• 64% of crypto investors and 40% of all retail investors say Trump’s policies have made them more likely to invest in cryptocurrencies.
• 73% of crypto investors approve of the job President Trump is doing on cryptocurrencies, the highest approval rating among all issues tested in the poll.
     
     

Key Findings

Among crypto investors, Trump’s net approval on cryptocurrency policy is the highest among all issues tested, with 73% expressing approval and only 18% expressing disapproval.

This policy alignment has tangible investment implications with 71% of crypto investors saying the Administration’s policies have positively impacted the investment case for crypto, and 64% saying it makes them more likely to invest personally. These effects also ripple into the broader retail investor market, where 40% of investors indicate an increased likelihood of investing due to these policies.

The data further reveals growing optimism, with 82% of crypto investors saying it's a good time to invest (up 9 points since March), and bullish sentiment rising for both short- and long-term returns. Momentum is building, with more crypto investors planning to buy crypto in the next month and expecting price gains over the coming year. These insights suggest that regulatory tone and policy perceptions are playing a critical role in shaping crypto market dynamics and investor behavior.

• Crypto investors are following policy changes related to crypto closely, with 81% citing familiarity with the Trump Administrations policies on cryptocurrencies.
  
  • Retail investors and the rest of the general public trail in their familiarity of the Trump administration policies on cryptocurrencies, with 47% and 34% citing familiarity respectively – highlighting significant opportunity for broader awareness building.
• While crypto investors strongly approve of the job Trump is doing across various issues, from cost of government to immigration, to returning America 'to its values', NET approval ratings among the crypto community for his job on cryptocurrencies is the highest (73% approve vs. 18% disapprove).  
  
  • For reference, net approval on crypto is +56 (among crypto investors), versus
    
    • +48 on reducing the cost of government,
    • +47 on returning America ‘to its values’,
    • +42 on immigration,
    • +41 on administering the government, and
    • +39 on the economy.
• In fact, overall approval of Trump among crypto investors is up +9pts since March (63% vs. 72%).
• A strong 71% majority of crypto investors feel the Trump Administration policies have had a positive impact on cryptocurrencies as a financial investment.
  
  • Nearly half (49%) of retail investors share this positive sentiment (compared to 15% neutral, 17% negative, and 19% unsure).
• Further, majority (64%) of crypto investors say the trump policies on crypto make them more likely to personally invest in cryptocurrencies. 2 in 5 retail investors (40%) say the same.
• This is fueled by an underlying sentiment that it is a good time to invest in crypto. 82% of crypto investors say it’s a good time to invest, up +9pts since March.
• Compared to March of this year, crypto investors are increasingly likely to invest in crypto in the next month (67% March vs. 73% Current; up +6pts).
• Relative to March, crypto investors are more likely to feel that cryptocurrencies are both a good short-term investment (77% March vs. 81% Current; up +4pts) and long-term investment (75% March vs. 81% Current; up +6pts).
• Crypto investors are increasingly bullish on crypto over the next 1 month and 12 months.  Compared to March, they are more likely to think the value of crypto will go up in the next month (54% March vs. 60% Current; up +6pts) and over the next year (61% March vs. 68% Current; up +7pts).

Data Methodology

The survey was conducted online within the United States from June 18-19 among 1,096 adults via the HarrisX Overnight Poll. The sample includes 230 cryptocurrency investors with 133 respondents coming from the nationally representative sample and an additional oversample of 97 crypto investors.  The June data is compared to an initial wave of the study that was conducted from March 5-15 among 3,192 adults, including 433 cryptocurrency investors.  

Respondents for the HarrisX Overnight Poll are recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. Recruitment occurs through a broad variety of professional, validated respondent panels to expand the sampling frame as wide as possible and minimize the impact of any given panel on recruiting methods. 
 
The results reflect a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Results were weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, and income where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. The margin of error for the June 18-19 study is +/-3.0 percentage points for all adults and +/- 6.5 percentage points for cryptocurrency investors.  The margin of error for the March 5-15 study is +/- 1.7 percentage points for all adults and +/- 4.7 percentage points for cryptocurrency investors.

About HarrisX

HarrisX is the preeminent strategic research and data analytics company focused on emerging technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Cryptocurrencies and Web3. HarrisX conducts multi-method research in the United States and over 50 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, and one of the most accurate outfits in the 2024 presidential election, correctly calling the results in 5 out of 7 battleground states and Donald Trump winning the national vote.

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Fix the City Final Pre-Primary Poll: Cuomo Maintains ‘Comfortable’ Lead Over Mamdani

By Fix The City | June 23, 2025

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*source: harrisx New York Democratic Primary Poll Results, June 22, 2025

https://www.fixthecity.nyc/

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On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new HarrisX/Harvard CAPS Poll revealing voters' attitudes on the economy, Iran, the Los Angeles anti-ICE protests, and more.

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TRUMP APPROVAL STRONGEST ON IMMIGRATION AND 56% OF VOTERS SUPPORT BRINGING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD TO STAVE OFF RIOTS

56% OF VOTERS SAY TRUMP IS LOSING THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION

VOTERS FAVOR TRUMP OVER MUSK IN FEUD BUT 52% OF VOTERS THINK THE "BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL" WILL MAKE THE ECONOMY WORSE

67% OF VOTERS BELIEVE THE CURRENT LEVEL OF U.S. FEDERAL DEBT IS UNSUSTAINABLE, UP 5 PTS. FROM MAY

60% OF VOTERS WANT THE ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT ISRAEL EFFORT TO TAKE OUT IRAN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM; 85% SAY IRAN MUST NOT OBTAIN NUKES

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today released the results of the June Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

President Donald Trump's approval rating is at 46% (-6 pts. from Feb. 2025), with highest approval among Republican, male, 25-44 y.o., white, and rural voters. Trump's job approval is strongest on immigration (49%) and returning America to its values (48%), and weakest on tariffs and trade policy (41%) and handling inflation (42%). This month's poll also featured a special report on Middle East-focused issues and covered public opinion on the economy, immigration, government efficiency, taxes, and Ukraine. Download the key results here.

"Trump continues to see the support of those who voted for him, hanging in there with the approval ratings and healthy support of his job on immigration," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "Whether the presidency gets back to approval ratings in the 50's will depend on whether people get a sense of lower inflation and economic prosperity."

VOTERS SLIGHTLY MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY, STILL PRIORITIZING INFLATION

• 52% of voters say the U.S. economy is strong today (+6 pts. since Apr. 2025).
• 39% of voters say the U.S. economy is on the right track.
• Inflation (34%) and immigration (32%) remain the top two issues for voters, with more voters saying immigration is the most important issue facing the country today compared to last month (+5).
• Immigration is especially important to Republican voters and voters over 65 y.o., while Democrats, Independents, 35-64 y.o., Hispanic, and suburban voters are especially concerned about inflation.
• 39% of voters and a plurality across political parties say inflation is the most important issue to them personally.

REPUBLICAN PARTY APPROVAL RATING DIPS, THOUGH VOTERS HOLD FAVORABLE VIEWS TOWARD KEY REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS

• The Republican Party's approval rating is at 47% (-5), with disapproval highest among Democrats, Independents, 18-24 y.o., Black, and Hispanic voters. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party's approval rating is steady at 42%.
• Among key politicians today, voters have a more favorable view of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (+6 net favorable), Vice President J.D. Vance (+2), and Mike Johnson (+2), and a more unfavorable view of Chuck Schumer (-14), Elon Musk (-13), and Karen Bass (-9).
• Of key institutions, voters have the most favorable views of the U.S. military (+64 net favorable) and police (+40), and hold net positive views on Harvard (+24) and Columbia (+14) University.

MOST TRUMP POLICIES CONTINUE TO SEE MAJORITY SUPPORT, WITH VOTERS TAKING A WAIT-AND-SEE ATTITUDE

• A majority of voters support most of Trump's policies, with lowering prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients and low-income patients (84% support), deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes (80%), and eliminating fraud and waste in government expenditures (74%) the most popular, including a majority across political parties.
• 58% of voters want Democrats to take a wait-and-see attitude toward Trump's policies.
• 55% of voters support moderate Democrats who are willing to compromise with Trump over Democrats calling to "fight harder" against the administration.
• 44% of voters, a plurality, say Trump is doing worse than expected as president (+1), 29% say he is doing better than expected (-2), and 26% say he is doing as expected (0).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT SENDING REINFORCEMENT TO HALT VIOLENCE TOWARD FEDERAL AGENTS BUT BLAME TRUMP FOR ESCALATION OF L.A. RIOTS

• A majority of voters continue to support the administration's immigration measures, with 63% supporting its actions to close the southern border and 74% supporting its efforts to deport illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.
• 57% of voters support moves by Democrats to stop deportations until deportees can have trials (Democrats: 79%; Republicans: 33%; Independents: 61%).
• 62% of voters are familiar with the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Of those who have heard of his case, 57% believe he is likely a MS-13 gang member.
• 71% of voters believe sanctuary cities and states who oppose the administration's immigration policies should deploy their police force to stop violence towards federal agents, including a majority across political parties.
• 55% of voters blame Trump for the escalation of immigration-related unrest in Los Angeles over L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newson (Democrats: 69%; Republicans: 44%; Independents: 52%).

VOTERS WANT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET BUT DON'T WANT CUTS TO ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS

• 79% of voters believe the U.S. government should move to balance the budget in the next few years (Democrats: 74%; Republicans: 86%; Independents: 77%).
• Voters prioritize reducing the budget deficit over keeping federal government spending and defense spending at their current levels, but view keeping spending on entitlement programs at their current levels as equally important.
• 42% of voters, a plurality, believe cutting government programs like EV tax credits and scientific research is not justified for the purpose of reducing the deficit.
• Of federal programs, voters most strongly believe LGBTQ+ studies, foreign aid, and EV credits should see significant cuts, favoring keeping current levels of spending for social security, veterans benefits, and Medicare.

CONCERN THE "BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL" WILL ADD TO FEDERAL DEBT

• 67% of voters have heard about Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," with 50% of voters who have heard of the bill, a plurality, opposing it.
• 42% of voters, a plurality, believe the bill will add too much to the federal debt.
• 58% of voters say the amount of taxes they are paying has increased over the last few years.
• Of the bill's policy proposals, voters most strongly support expanding health savings accounts and increasing support for farmers (70%), ranchers, and disaster recovery, reducing federal spending by $1.3 trillion (66%), and increasing the child tax credit to $2,500 per family (62%).
• 49% of voters say they trust neither Trump nor Elon Musk on economic policy, though more voters trust Trump over Musk (+26 net). More voters also believe Trump is acting more in the public interest than Musk (+19).

MAJORITY OF VOTERS BELIEVE TRUMP'S TARIFFS ARE HARMING THE ECONOMY

• 57% of voters say Trump's tariff policies are harming the economy.
• 56% of voters say Trump is losing the battle against inflation (Democrats: 85%; Republicans: 24%; Independents: 61%). 55% of voters hold him responsible for the state of today's economy.
• 52% of voters think President Trump is making good deals on behalf of the country (+3), with 56% of voters believing he will reach a deal with China.
• 53% of voters believe the media is fairly reporting on the economy.
• 56% of voters do not believe we are currently in a recession, though 55% of Democrats believe we are in one.

PESSIMISM ON WHETHER TRUMP CAN RESOLVE FOREIGN CONFLICTS AMIDST CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE

• A majority of voters don't believe Trump can solve foreign conflicts, with 63% of voters saying they do not believe Trump will solve the Ukraine war (+5), and 65% of voters saying they do not believe he will solve the Israel-Hamas war (+6).
• 73% of voters believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing games and stalling rather than genuinely wanting to end the war in Ukraine (+7).
• 61% of voters say Trump has not been tough enough on Putin.
• 62% of voters support the administration continuing to provide weaponry to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, including a majority across political parties.
• 68% of voters say the U.S.' relationship with Ukraine is more valuable than that with Russia, favoring Ukraine's minerals agreement and military actions over Russia's nuclear power and potential position as a counterweight to China.

VOTERS WANT THE ELIMINATION OF IRAN'S NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AS A PRECONDITION FOR ANY U.S.-IRAN DEAL

• 74% of voters say Iran giving up nuclear enrichment should be a precondition for any U.S.-Iran deal (Democrats: 72%; Republicans: 73%; Independents; 76%).
• 60% of voters support Trump opening negotiations with Iran directly over nuclear weapons.
• 32% of voters say such negotiations would lead to a good deal (-7 pts., May 2025), 23% say they would lead to a bad deal, and 45% say they would lead to no deal at all.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT MILITARY ACTION TO TAKE OUT IRAN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

• 85% of voters say Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, including a strong majority across political parties.
• 54% of voters support taking out Iran's nuclear weapons program with a U.S. military operation.
• 60% of voters say the administration should support an Israel effort to take out Iran's nuclear weapons program if there is no acceptable deal (Democrats: 47%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 54%).

VOTERS SAY ISRAEL IS JUSTIFIED IN MILITARY RESPONSE UNTIL HAMAS HAS RETURNED ALL HOSTAGES

• 62% of voters say Israel is justified in continuing its military operations in Gaza until Hamas has returned all hostages (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 56%).
• 80% of voters support Hamas releasing all remaining hostages without any conditions, including a majority across political parties.
• 75% of voters and a majority across political parties and age groups support Israel over Hamas.
• 51% of voters support President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict so far (-3). 72% of voters 18-24 y.o. oppose his handling of the conflict.

The June Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on June 11-12, 2025, among 2,097 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com  

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85% OF VOTERS BELIEVE IRAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO OBTAIN A NUCLEAR WEAPON

62% OF VOTERS SUPPORT ISRAEL'S OPERATIONS IN GAZA, SAYING THEY ARE JUSTIFIED UNTIL HAMAS RETURNS ALL HOSTAGES

NEW YORK and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW) today conducted a limited release of Middle East-focused results from the June Harvard CAPS / Harris poll, a monthly collaboration between the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS) and the Harris Poll and HarrisX.

"We're seeing majority voter approval for Israel's actions in Iran, with 60% of saying the U.S. should support Israel's military effort," said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll and Stagwell Chairman and CEO. "Voters feel very strongly that Iran should not be able to continue with their nuclear enrichment program."

VOTERS WANT THE ELIMINATION OF IRAN'S NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT PROGRAM AS A PRECONDITION FOR ANY U.S.-IRAN DEAL

• 74% of voters say Iran giving up nuclear enrichment should be a precondition for any U.S.-Iran deal (Democrats: 72%; Republicans: 73%; Independents; 76%).
• 60% of voters support Trump opening negotiations with Iran directly over nuclear weapons.
• 32% of voters say such negotiations would lead to a good deal (-7 pts., May 2025), 23% say they would lead to a bad deal, and 45% say they would lead to no deal at all.

MAJORITY OF VOTERS SUPPORT MILITARY ACTION TO TAKE OUT IRAN'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

• 85% of voters say Iran should not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, including a strong majority across political parties.
• 54% of voters support taking out Iran's nuclear weapons program with a military operation.
• 60% of voters say the administration should support an Israel effort to take out Iran's nuclear weapons program if there is no acceptable deal (Democrats: 47%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 54%).

VOTERS SAY ISRAEL IS JUSTIFIED IN MILITARY RESPONSE UNTIL HAMAS HAS RETURNED ALL HOSTAGES

• 62% of voters say Israel is justified in continuing its military operations in Gaza until Hamas has returned all hostages (Democrats: 50%; Republicans: 78%; Independents: 56%).
• 80% of voters support Hamas releasing all remaining hostages without any conditions, including a majority across political parties.
• 75% of voters and a majority across political parties and age groups support Israel over Hamas.
• 51% of voters support President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict so far (-3). 72% of voters 18-24 y.o. oppose his handling of the conflict.

The June Harvard CAPS / Harris poll survey was conducted online within the United States on June 11-12, 2025, among 2,097 registered voters by The Harris Poll and HarrisX. Follow the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll podcast at https://www.markpennpolls.com/ or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.

About The Harris Poll & HarrisX

The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing.

HarrisX is a technology-driven market research and data analytics company that conducts multi-method research in the U.S. and over 40 countries around the world on behalf of Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. HarrisX was the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

About the Harvard Center for American Political Studies
The Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) is committed to and fosters the interdisciplinary study of U.S. politics.  Governed by a group of political scientists, sociologists, historians, and economists within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, CAPS drives discussion, research, public outreach, and pedagogy about all aspects of U.S. politics. CAPS encourages cutting-edge research using a variety of methodologies, including historical analysis, social surveys, and formal mathematical modeling, and it often cooperates with other Harvard centers to support research training and encourage cross-national research about the United States in comparative and global contexts. More information at https://caps.gov.harvard.edu/.

Contact:
Carrie Hsu
pr@stagwellglobal.com

SOURCE Stagwell Inc.

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The Stagwell News Network launches in partnership with eight premier publishers

New study of 7,000+ U.S. adults finds rising news consumption and greater ad lift among the most engaged news audiences, reinforcing the value of advertising in news.

Research to be built upon throughout Future of News programming at Cannes Lions

NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Stagwell (NASDAQ: STGW), the challenger network built to transform marketing, today announced the launch of the Stagwell News Network, a private marketplace (PMP) associated with its Future of News initiative. As Stagwell continues to drive greater investment into news by bringing together leaders from marketing and news media around data and forward-looking discussions, the News Network will give Stagwell clients unique access to publishers – strengthening Stagwell's ability to deliver premium news inventory and performance-driven solutions for clients.

The News Network's launch partners are Newsweek, Nexstar, NPR, Ozone, RealClear Politics, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, and TIME.

This announcement coincides with Stagwell and the Future of News initiative's expanded presence at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025. Leading up to the festival, Stagwell today unveiled new ad performance-based research, conducted by Stagwell's research consultancy HarrisX among 7,126 U.S. adults, that reveals a clear loss in campaign reach and effectiveness when foregoing news advertising.

Key findings from the study include:

News Consumers are High-Impact Audiences

• News Junkies — roughly 80.4 million U.S. adults who follow the news 'very closely' — view brands more positively than less engaged audiences across seven key brand and reputation metrics, including purchase intent, favorability, likelihood to recommend, and trustworthiness.
• Among News Junkies, a key target group for advertisers, the average purchase intent for 20 brand ads tested across technology, travel/hospitality, CPG, financial services, and automotive, was 66%— compared to 50% among the rest of the general population.
• 13.8% of U.S. adults, or approximately 36.8 million individuals, are Exclusive News Junkies, defined as those who follow the news 'very closely' but do not closely follow sports or entertainment.
• Exclusive New Junkies show greater post-ad exposure lift than the rest of the general population, making it clear they are an underserved advertising audience who responds to ads.

News Engagement is Growing

• Since 2024, Exclusive News Junkies have grown in population size by approximately 7.2 million U.S. adults, now making up 13.8% of the general population compared to 11.1% a year ago.
• Nearly 60% of News Junkies and Exclusive News Junkies now follow the news more closely than they did a year ago.
• News Junkies and Exclusive News Junkies are now paying particularly more attention to political, international, and economic news than a year ago.

"This research shows that campaigns including news in the media mix consistently outperform those that forego news, and as the population of Exclusive News Junkies expands, brands that ignore news advertising are missing the opportunity to drive real results," said Stagwell Chairman and CEO Mark Penn.

Since beginning news-focused testing in the second half of 2023, Stagwell has seen 2024 campaigns deliver three times the average return on ad spend (ROAS). According to Stagwell agency Assembly's Media Mix Model, news delivers commercial impact, with three times higher ROAS than other paid media channels, and 136% transaction growth for a leading global logistics business.

"We're turning insight into action--from debuting new research for Cannes that proves the power of news audiences, to launching the Stagwell News Network with eight leading publishers, and hosting the first-ever NewsFronts event this October. We're doubling down on the power of news as a critical platform for marketers and advertisers," added Alexis Williams, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Stagwell.

Join the Future of News team for programming throughout Cannes Lions:

• RTL AdAlliance Beach | The Business of News | Monday, June 16, 10:30 AM CEST
• WSJ's Journal House | Hard Truths, Real Results: How News Unlocks Advertising ROI | | Monday, June 16, 4:15 PM CEST
• ADWEEK House | The Business of News | Tuesday, June 17, 1:30PM CEST
• SPORT BEACH | Future of News Breakfast Roundtable | Wednesday, June 18, 9:00 AM CEST
• SPORT BEACH | Future of News: Why News Junkies are the Real MVPs | Wednesday, June 18, 1:00 PM CEST  

To learn more about Stagwell's Future of News Initiative, please reach out to futureofnews@stagwellglobal.com.  To request a copy of the latest research, please visit https://www.stagwellglobal.com/future-of-news/.

About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.  

Contact
Madison Wick
PR@stagwellglobal.com

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WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HarrisX is proud to announce its role in the success of the Saucony Marathumb Challenge, a groundbreaking digital campaign that earned Silver in Experiential Marketing – Digital and Bronze in Fashion & Accessories at the prestigious 2025 Effie Awards.

The campaign, led by Saucony and executed in partnership with Doner, KWT Global, Wolfgang Studios, and Huncwot, was built on original research conducted by HarrisX that revealed a compelling behavioral learning: the average person scrolls the equivalent of three marathons per year—a staggering 78 miles. This insight served as the creative catalyst for the Marathumb Challenge, a six-week global campaign encouraging users to "move more than they scroll."

The initiative invited everyday athletes to track their screen time and physical activity via a custom-built app, rewarding those who ran more than they scrolled with branded merchandise. Supported by digital, social, retail, and out-of-home activations, the campaign reached audiences in six global markets including the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Sweden, Italy, and Australia.

Campaign results included:

• 140% increase in earned media
• 25% increase in new users
• 14% increase in sell-through rate on saucony.com
• 50% higher app retention rate than the industry average

"This campaign is a perfect example of how data-driven insights can unlock breakthrough creativity," said Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX. "We're honored to have contributed research that helped shape such an impactful and inspiring global campaign."

HarrisX congratulates Saucony and its creative partners for bringing this bold idea to life and is proud to continue delivering the insight that powers results at scale.

"Many of the most engaging and successful brand ideas today are fueled by the synthesis of data and creativity," said David DeMuth, CEO of Doner. "Through our partnership with HarrisX, we're able to tap into foundational datapoints that inspire ideas like the Saucony Marathumb Challenge, an Effie winner that captured media attention and drove transformational business results."

About HarrisX

HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a strategic research advisory firm that delivers clear, data-driven answers to our clients' most pressing questions. Powered by proprietary technology and a campaign-style approach, we move fast, cut through the noise, and surface insights that drive real-world impact. With offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, we advise Fortune 100 companies, public institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. Named the most accurate pollster of the 2020 U.S. presidential election by The Washington Post and the American Research Group, HarrisX doesn't just deliver data — we deliver confident decisions.

About the Doner Partners Network

We make brands matter more to culture, to the world and to the bottom line. And we believe true integration is the product of intentional orchestration. The DPN creates teams that are as small as possible, and can scale as big as necessary. DPN agencies include: Doner, Yamamoto, DonerNorth, HarrisX, Wolfgang, KWT Global, Meat & Produce, Veritas, Dyversity Communications, DonerCX and Underground Digital.

About Stagwell

Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.

SOURCE HarrisX

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May 28, 2025

55 percent of city residents use free public Wi-Fi every month and 30 percent rely on it weekly

76 percent of New Yorkers approve of the City’s use of technology to deliver public services and 75 percent feel tech companies have had a positive impact on their lives

NEW YORK, NY – More New Yorkers than ever are taking advantage of free public Wi-Fi as the demand for digital connectivity outside the home rises in New York City, according to a new poll from LinkNYC and Tech:NYC, conducted by leading tech and telecom research firm, HarrisX. Today, 55 percent of New Yorkers say they use free public Wi-Fi at least once a month, up six percentage points from 2023.

New Yorkers’ support of new infrastructure and programs that deliver reliable broadband access has also increased. Three out of four New Yorkers (77 percent) say they support Link5G smart poles coming to their communities, with support highest in areas where residents use free public Wi-Fi most often: the North Bronx, Manhattan, and Central Brooklyn. Support for Link5G also grew significantly in several neighborhoods since 2023, including in Upper Manhattan (rising 10 percentage points) and Northeast Queens (rising 12 percentage points).

35 percent of New Yorkers — more than one-third — lack unlimited cellular data plans, with half of those residents (51 percent) running out of data during at least one month per year.

“It’s clear that New Yorkers love the LinkNYC program as much as they need the LinkNYC program,” said LinkNYC CEO Nick Colvin. “We are seeing strong support for LinkNYC’s services and enhanced digital infrastructure across every community and demographic in our city.”

City residents view technology as essential to the city’s future, its economy, and its public resources, with 78 percent saying tech companies have positively impacted the city and 71 percent expressing interest in expanded, City-provided tech and A.I. training programs to support the local workforce.

“This survey’s findings illustrate how the growth of digital technology creates jobs, drives economic activity, and provides services for New Yorkers in every borough,” said Tech:NYC President and CEO Julie Samuels. “We all understand the increasing role technology plays in our society, and that’s why we must focus on modernizing our city’s digital services.”

“New Yorkers are sending a clear message: reliable internet access is not a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said HarrisX Global CEO Dritan Nesho. “With more than half of city residents relying on free public Wi-Fi, this data underscores how public support for the Link5G program is growing alongside the need for more and newer connectivity solutions.”

Click HERE to view the poll results.

About LinkNYC
LinkNYC is the world’s largest and fastest free public Wi-Fi network. Each Link kiosk provides free superfast Wi-Fi, phone calls, device charging, access to social services, and displays content such as real-time weather, transit info, public art, and local information. The city-wide network has more than 18 million Wi-Fi users and has connected more than 30 million free phone calls. All of LinkNYC’s services are completely free to users and taxpayers, provided by CityBridge, a joint venture led by Intersection Media and Boldyn Networks. The second generation offering will deploy thousands of new kiosks, called Link5G, enabled with 5G wireless technology across the city. For more information about LinkNYC or to find a Link near you, visit www.link.nyc.

About Tech:NYC
Tech:NYC is an engaged network of tech leaders working to foster a dynamic, diverse, and creative New York. The organization works with policymakers and business leaders to support a successful technology ecosystem, attract and retain top talent, and celebrate New York and the companies that call it home. Tech:NYC represents more than 550 New York tech companies and investors.

About HarrisX
HarrisX, a Stagwell company, is a leading global market research and data analytics firm specializing in the technology and telecommunications sectors. The company conducts multi-method consumer and voter research across the U.S. and in over 40 countries. With offices in Washington, D.C., New York City, London, and Toronto, HarrisX advises Fortune 100 companies, public policy institutions, global leaders, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. For more information on HarrisX's data-driven insights, visit harrisx.com.

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On "Forbes Newsroom," HarrisX Founder and CEO Dritan Nesho discussed a new Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll showing a 5-point jump in positive economic sentiment, helping President Trump's approval rating to hold steady, as well as what voters consider his biggest achievement and his greatest failure in the early months of his second presidency.

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More Americans say the country is on the right track after tariff rollback – viewed as Trump’s ‘biggest failure’ in second term: poll

By Victor Nava

Published May 19, 2025, 7:15 p.m. ET

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Americans are more optimistic about the direction of the country and believe the economy has been stronger since President Trump eased his sweeping tariff policy, which most voters see as the biggest failure of his second term.

A Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday found 42% of respondents believe the country is on the right track – an increase of 3 percentage points from last month.

Over half of voters (51%) also rated the US economy as being “strong,” up 5 points from April.

The uptick in optimism coincides with the Trump administration’s successful trade talks with the United Kingdom and China, which have resulted in the lowering of some tariffs – the president’s most unpopular policy.

The landmark US-UK trade deal framework brokered on May 8 will see the Trump administration eliminate tariffs on British-made airplane parts and slash levies on steel, aluminum and automobiles.

Days later, the US and China agreed to a 90-day tariff truce that brought China’s duty rate down from 145% to 30% on most goods. That agreement also included a mechanism for talks toward a permanent deal to continue.

Most voters (57%) view Trump’s tariffs as “harming the economy” and believe it’s the worst mistake of his presidency.  

“Trump’s tariffs and disturbing the economy are viewed as his biggest failures to date,” the May 14-15 survey of 1,903 registered voters determined.

The president’s tariff policy is viewed as his biggest blunder by 26% of voters, which is 9 percentage points more than those who said “making executive orders beyond his authority” was Trump’s top mistake – which came in No. 2 in the ranking.  

Thirty-one percent believe Trump has yet to make a mistake in office.

When asked if Trump would be able to make a deal with China to end the trade war, 60% of voters were confident a long-term agreement would be reached.

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“The majority of Trump’s policies continue to see strong support, especially on immigration and government efficiency, even though there is concern Trump has exceeded guardrails with executive orders and tariffs,” Mark Penn, co-director of the Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, said in a statement.

“If he is able to successfully lower the price of prescription drugs and hold down the fort on inflation, he will be able to unlock 10% more of voters in his approval rating,” Penn noted.

Trump’s approval rating sits at 47% (down 1 point from last month), with 87% of Republican voters approving and 83% of Democrats and 50% of Independents disapproving.

The president received his highest marks on immigration policy (51%) and returning the country to “its values” (51%).

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Learn more at harvardharrispoll.com

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The poll released Monday showed Trump’s approval rating at 47 percent, just 1 point down from where it was last month. His disapproval rating reached 48 percent, the first time since Trump returned to office that he had a slightly higher disapproval rating than approval rating.

But the rating remains mostly unchanged compared to where it stood in March, well within the margin of error of each other.

Mark Penn, the chairman of the Harris poll, said the results show that Trump is “holding on to his base and his voters” as attitudes on the economy have turned more positive “despite the bumpiness of tariffs.”

The poll found a slight majority of 51 percent said they considered the economy to be strong, an increase of 5 points from April and the first time since July 2021 that a majority in the poll said so. A plurality still said their personal financial situation is getting worse, though it dropped from 45 percent last month to 39 percent now.

The percentage who said their situation is improving rose to 34 percent, up 2 points.

Trump’s handling of immigration and returning the U.S. to its values are the issues he’s viewed most positively on, with 51 percent approving, while his handling of tariffs and trade policy is his weakest issue, with only 42 percent approving.

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The results come after Trump announced a temporary trade deal with China to mutually lower the tariffs the countries had placed on each other since Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2 instituting the higher tariffs. The Trump administration also announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom earlier this month.

Trump’s approval rating in the average from Decision Desk HQ has been underwater since March, but it has started to improve slightly in recent weeks. His approval rating as of the end of last week reached 45.9 percent, up from the low of 43.7 percent.

In the poll released Monday, Trump’s favorability rating was also about even, with 46 percent viewing him favorably and 47 percent viewing him unfavorably.

The Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll survey was conducted from May 14 to 15 and surveyed 1,903 registered voters. It is a collaboration of the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University and the Harris Poll.

The survey is an online sample drawn from the Harris Panel and weighted to reflect known demographics. The margin of error was 2.2 points.

The Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll released Monday revealed the first net-positive rating on the strength of the U.S. economy since July 2021, the first few months of former President Joe Biden's administration.

When asked "how strong do you think the U.S. economy is today?" a majority of registered voters polled saw it as "strong" under Trump compared to "weak" for almost the entirety of the Biden administration.

• Strong: 51% (plus-5 points from April)
• Weak: 49% (minus-6 points from April)

"For the first time since July 2021, just over half of voters say the U.S. economy is strong today," the report said.

Despite the positive sentiment from registered voters apparent now, there has been considerable criticism heaped on Trump's tariffs and financial market fluctuations for weeks for having let down his "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) voter base on the economy.

But Trump, his Cabinet, staffers, and political and economic backers note the S&P 500 has regained all of the April 2 "Liberation Day" losses. That was the date of market dips due to Trump's massive tariffs agenda designed to rebalance the global trade order.

Notably, the month-to-month chart defies some COVID-19 pandemic-era economic regression, as the widest net-negative on the chart is June 2022, the height of the 2022 midterms and the full-go of the Biden "build back better" economic agenda.

That June 2022 net-negative even trumped the net-negative sentiment of the height of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in May 2020, where large portions of the economy were shut down for weeks and months on end to "stop the spread" of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

Also, the chart first went negative at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and from May 2020 through the end of the first Trump administration, sentiment was bridging closer to net positive.

But the Biden administration's four years fell into negative territory for months, cratering in June 2022 and leveling mostly steady in the solidly net-negative range before trending closer to net-positive again in July 2024. That was the month that followed Biden's poor late-June debate performance against Trump, leading into the July 13 Trump assassination attempt, Biden exiting the race a week later, and Vice President Kamala Harris being picked to take over his campaign.

Other headlines on the poll's release under "Approval and Mood of the Country" included:

• "Up slightly from April, 42% of voters now say the country is on the right track."
• "Similarly, 39% of voters now say the economy is on the right track."
• "Pessimism in voters' personal financial situation dropped 6pts this month to 39%, while more say their finances are holding steady (27%, +4pts) or improving (34%, +2pts)."
• "Trump's approval remains largely steady at 47%."
• "Trump's handling of immigration and returning the U.S. to its values gets highest approval, while the tariff and inflation policies are weakest."
• "GOP approval stands at 52%."
• "Congressional approval up slightly at 38%."
• "Trump, RFK Jr., and Vance have the highest favorability; RFK Jr., Rubio, and Gabbard have net positive perceptions among voters."
• "Democratic Party approval has recovered somewhat but still underwater at 42%."
• "U.S. military and the police are the top groups tested, while Hamas, Russia, and China the least popular."
• "Economic issues and immigration remain the top issues for voters, though inflation dropped 4pts from April."
• "Inflation continues to be the top issue for voters across party lines."

The Harvard Center for American Political Studies (CAPS), in conjunction with The Harris Poll and HarrisX pollsters, surveyed 1,903 registered voters May 14-15. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

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Every month, the respected Harvard Harris Poll asks over 2000 Americans about their views on Washington’s leaders and policies—providing a fascinating glimpse into public opinion across party lines. You don’t have to be a political junkie to see that the latest results released today paint a clear picture of a nation largely aligned with many of the Executive Branch’s policy goals—though with one notable caveat.

Unsurprisingly, responses break along party lines on almost every question directly connected to the president or a political party. About a third of respondents identify as independent, and even they are typically split down the middle on hot-button issues. But in this poll, independents tilt favorably toward several of this Administration’s main priorities.

A deeper look at the data reveals two surprises.

First, the topline is President Trump remains quite popular. His overall approval rating is holding steady at 47%. While Democrats remain skeptical—only giving him 14% support, most independents expressed support for his performance across several related areas.

More revealing are Americans’ views on this Administration’s policy priorities. When asked about specific issues—without any partisan labels attached—the results speak volumes. The vast majority of Americans appear to be on board with policies that have fueled President Trump’s agenda since his return to office.

• 84% want lower prescription drug prices
• 78% support deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records
• 71% want to find and eliminate waste and fraud in government spending
• 70% want stronger border enforcement

There is an exception where public sentiment diverges sharply: tariffs.

Some 57% of respondents say the Administration’s tariff policies are harming the economy. Americans are still reeling from months of supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and inflationary pressures. Despite the recent cooling in official inflation numbers, the cost of living and the state of the economy remain their top concerns.

President Trump wisely is acting on the concerns of Americans on inflation from tariffs as shortages and higher prices will likely soon hit. Late Friday, he announced the U.S. will begin setting new tariff rates unilaterally—walking away from the slow pace of planned country-by-country negotiations. In the short term, this could lower tariffs and ease market jitters. But it also risks long-term uncertainty if business leaders think tariffs may be raised over any perceived slight. Congress may quickly move to reclaim its constitutional role in trade policy. Business will blossom and the Fed Reserve is more likely to lower interest rates (helping cut our budget deficits) with economic stability rather than inflationary and sporadic tariffs.

President Trump’s Friday pivot to unilateral tariff changes by country is a real opportunity for the economy and the Administration. If the President can begin scaling back tariffs—without alienating his economic nationalist base—he may get economic stability, lower interest rates and even grow bipartisan support, and could soon break presidential approval records.

Sixty-two percent of voters polled said the president’s acceptance of a $400 million dollar luxury Boeing 747 from the Qatari government “raises ethical concerns about corruption,” while 35 percent said the gift is “a win for the U.S.”

The poll also showed the issue splitting somewhat along party lines, with 85 percent of Democrats saying it “raises ethical concerns about corruption,” while only 15 percent of Democrats called the gift “a win for the U.S.” Republicans were more split, with 40 percent saying it raises ethical concerns, while 60 percent said it was a win for the U.S. Among independents, 62 percent said it raises ethical concerns about corruption, and 38 percent said it was a win for the U.S.

“Voters are worried about gifts from the Qataris, suggesting Trump might think twice about the plane or what he would do with it after the presidency,” said Mark Penn, chairman of the Harris poll.

The findings come after Trump confirmed earlier this month he was preparing to accept the Boeing 747-8 jumbo luxury jet from Qatar. The jet would officially be gifted to the Department of Defense before being handed over to the Trump presidential library at the end of his term.

Democrats and even a number of Republican lawmakers have raised concerns over the president’s acceptance of the gift. Many Republicans have argued that the jet will not actually be free, given it will need to go through the lengthy and expensive process of being transformed into Air Force One. Others have raised safety concerns about the jet.

Trump has defended his acceptance of the jet and has labeled bipartisan criticism of the move as “a radical-left story.”

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“I just want to say, it was a radical-left story,” Trump told Fox News’s Bret Baier in Abu Dhabi during a stop on his diplomatic trip to the Middle East this week. “The people here, to show you how crazy it is, they would like me to pay a billion dollars.”

“I made a good deal,” he added.

Trump also said that he is not a personal beneficiary of the jet, arguing that the jet is a gift to the U.S. government and that it will be old by the time it ends up in his presidential library.

The Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll survey was conducted from May 14 to May 15 among 1,903 registered voters. Respondents for this poll were recruited through opt-in, web-panel recruitment sampling. The margin of error for the total sample is plus or minus 2.2 percentage points on a 95 percent confidence level.

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