Many Americans, particularly Democrats, have stepped away from consuming political news following the presidential election, citing exhaustion from the campaign’s intensity. Ziad Aunallah of San Diego typifies this sentiment, expressing a need for a break after a mentally taxing period.
A recent poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research corroborates this widespread “news fatigue,” showing that about two-thirds of Americans have felt compelled to limit their media consumption about politics and government. This contrasts with smaller declines in news engagement regarding topics like climate change and the economy, underscoring the unique exhaustion tied to political news.
Democrats, more than Republicans, appear to be withdrawing from political media, with 7 in 10 Democrats reporting a need to tune out, compared to about 6 in 10 Republicans and independents. This difference reflects the emotional aftermath of a loss for Democrats versus a victory for Republicans.
Network television ratings mirror these trends. Post-election, MSNBC and CNN have seen steep declines in viewership, down 54% and 45% respectively, while Fox News has experienced a 13% increase as Trump’s supporters continue to watch. These patterns align with historical post-election trends for partisan networks, where engagement often drops among viewers aligned with the losing side.
Americans Turn Away from Political News Amid Post-Election Fatigue and Media Distrust
The slump in ratings and engagement for left-leaning networks like MSNBC mirrors patterns observed after past elections. However, MSNBC’s challenges this time are steeper, with declines outpacing those seen in 2016. Additionally, broader trends in cable news consumption, with viewers increasingly turning to digital platforms, complicate the recovery.
Yet, some viewers like Aunallah anticipate returning to political news as the new administration takes office, believing it will be essential to stay informed and hold leaders accountable, even amid broader shifts away from traditional cable news.
Americans’ disillusionment with political news extends to a desire for less shallow and polarized reporting. Many, like Kathleen Kendrick, express frustration with the lack of balanced perspectives and thorough analysis in the media.
Others, such as Aunallah, criticize networks for focusing excessively on Trump and the election, which has alienated viewers who now seek deeper, more substantive coverage. This disconnect has driven some, like Sam Gude, to explore alternative news sources such as YouTube, reflecting a broader pivot away from traditional platforms.
The media faces significant challenges in regaining viewers’ trust and engagement. Some, like Kendrick, suggest that networks should prioritize nuanced reporting and avoid sensationalism to rebuild credibility.
Others argue for shifting focus from Trump-centric narratives to broader issues that resonate across political divides. MSNBC, amid corporate restructuring and changing viewer habits, must navigate these complexities to rebuild its audience. The overarching message from disengaged viewers is clear: they crave depth, balance, and meaningful content over partisan noise.
