Billionaire CEOs, Wealthy Donors, and Large Corporations Seen as Having too Much Influence Over American Politics and President Trump

When given a list of people and groups with influence over American politics, Americans were most concerned about the influence of billionaire CEOs, wealthy donors, and large corporations. Republicans are less likely than Democrats and independents to say that these groups or people have too much influence, however Republicans are more likely than Democrats and independents to say activists and lobbyists have too much influence.

• Older and wealthier people are more likely to say people on the extremes of the political spectrum have too much influence. Americans 55 years old and up are 10 points more likely than those under 55 to say extremes of the political spectrum have too much influence over American politics (55 and up – 33% too much influence, under 55 – 23% too much influence). Likewise, those earning more than $100,000 are 10 points more likely than those who earn less to say extremes of the political spectrum have too much influence ($100,000 and up – 36% too much influence, less than $100,000 – 26% too much influence).
• Younger people are more likely to think that celebrities and social media creators have too much influence. Members of GenZ are eight points more likely than Boomers to say celebrities have too much influence over politics (GenZ – 19% too much influence, Boomers – 11% too much influence). Similarly, GenZ is more than three times as likely as Boomers to say social media influencers have too much influence (GenZ – 27% too much influence, Boomers – 8% too much influence).

Americans also say that billionaire CEOs, wealthy donors, and large corporations have too much influence over President Trump, personally (48% top three too much influence, 41%, and 31%, respectively). Republicans are at least 20 points less likely than Democrats to say any of these groups have too much influence over Trump. Republicans are also less likely to think that foreign governments have too much influence over Trump.

• Older Americans think wealthy CEOs and donors have too much influence over Trump. Americans 55 years old and up are more likely than those under 55 to say that billionaire CEOs, and wealthy donors have more influence over Trump (billionaire CEOs: 55 and up – 53% too much influence, under 55: 44% too much influence; wealthy donors: 55 and up – 49% too much influence, under 55 – 34% too much influence).
• Republicans who watch Fox are more likely than other Republicans to say celebrities have too much influence over Trump. By nine points, Republicans who watch Fox News are more likely than Republicans who do not watch the network to say celebrities have too much influence over Trump (14% and 5%, respectively).

Oil and Gas Seen as Having Too Much Influence on American Politics and Trump

The top three industries Americans think have too much influence on American politics are: oil and gas companies (40%), drug and health companies (35%), and tech and artificial intelligence companies (34%).

• Younger Americans say religious institutions have too much influence. Americans under the age of 55 are nearly twice as likely as those 55 and up to say religious institutions have too much influence in American politics (55 and up – 11% too much influence, under 55 – 20% too much influence).
• Non-MAGA Republicans are more likely than their MAGA counterparts to say that oil and gas has too much influence. Non-MAGA Republicans are 11 points more likely than MAGA Republicans to say the oil and gas industry has too much influence (non-MAGA Republicans – 37% too much influence, MAGA Republicans – 26% too much influence).
• Fox-watching Republicans are more likely than other Republicans to name higher education as having too much influence. Republicans who watch Fox News are 10 points more likely than Republicans who don’t watch the network to say higher education has too much influence over American politics (Republicans who watch Fox – 22% too much influence, Republicans who don’t watch Fox – 12% too much influence).

When it comes to the industries people see as having the most influence over Trump, Americans named oil and gas companies (35% too much influence), Wall Street (32% too much influence), and defense and the military (24% too much influence).