Nearly 9 in 10 Americans say corruption is widespread in the U.S. government.

Gallup reported that 89% of Americans said corruption was widespread in government, the highest level recorded in its long-running measure. That figure is equivalent to nearly nine in 10 people, making the numerical claim accurate.news.gallup.comnews.gallup.comRecord-High 89% in U.S. Say Government Corruption Widespread The result was reported on September 2, 2026, and the available news coverage describes the question as referring to the federal government or government generally. Politico, Truthout, and television-station reports citing the Gallup poll all gave the same approximate result.politico.compolitico.comAlmost 90 percent of Americans say there is widespread corruption in government+3 more

The wording describes what Americans believe, not a finding that 89% of government is corrupt or that corruption has been independently established at that level. Gallup’s data also indicate notable changes among partisan groups over time, so the overall figure should be understood as a measure of public sentiment during the current political period rather than a direct measure of actual misconduct.news.gallup.comnews.gallup.comRecord-High 89% in U.S. Say Government Corruption Widespread Within the claim’s stated scope, the evidence supports the statement. The principal qualification is that “say” refers to respondents’ perceptions, while the poll does not itself prove the extent of corruption in government.